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1\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2@c Copyright (C) 1988-2014 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3@c
4@c %**start of header
5@c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6@c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7@setfilename gdb.info
8@c
9@c man begin INCLUDE
10@include gdb-cfg.texi
11@c man end
12@c
13@settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14@setchapternewpage odd
15@c %**end of header
16
17@iftex
18@c @smallbook
19@c @cropmarks
20@end iftex
21
22@finalout
23@c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24@c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25@c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26@c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27@syncodeindex ky fn
28@syncodeindex tp fn
29
30@c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31@c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32@syncodeindex vr fn
33
34@c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35@c This is updated by GNU Press.
36@set EDITION Tenth
37
38@c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39@set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41@c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43@c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44@c manuals to an info tree.
45@dircategory Software development
46@direntry
47* Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48* gdbserver: (gdb) Server. The GNU debugging server.
49@end direntry
50
51@copying
52@c man begin COPYRIGHT
53Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2014 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65@c man end
66@end copying
67
68@ifnottex
69This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
70
71This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
72@value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
73@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
74@value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
75@end ifset
76Version @value{GDBVN}.
77
78@insertcopying
79@end ifnottex
80
81@titlepage
82@title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
83@subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
84@sp 1
85@subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
86@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
87@sp 1
88@subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
89@end ifset
90@author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
91@page
92@tex
93{\parskip=0pt
94\hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
95\hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
96\hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
97}
98@end tex
99
100@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
101Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
10251 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
103Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
104ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
105
106@insertcopying
107@end titlepage
108@page
109
110@ifnottex
111@node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113@top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119@value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120@end ifset
121Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123Copyright (C) 1988-2014 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127software in general. We will miss him.
128
129@menu
130* Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131* Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133* Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134* Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135* Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136* Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137* Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138* Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139* Stack:: Examining the stack
140* Source:: Examining source files
141* Data:: Examining data
142* Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143* Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144* Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145* Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147* Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149* Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150* Altering:: Altering execution
151* GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152* Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153* Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154* Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155* Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156* Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157* Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158* TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159* Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160* GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161* Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162* JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163* In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
164
165* GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
166
167@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
168* Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
169* Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
170@end ifset
171@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
172* Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
173* Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
174@end ifclear
175* In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
176* Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
177* Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
178* Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
179* Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
180* Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
181* Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
182 @value{GDBN}
183* Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
184 the operating system
185* Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
186* Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
187* Man Pages:: Manual pages
188* Copying:: GNU General Public License says
189 how you can copy and share GDB
190* GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
191* Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
192* Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
193 functions, and Python data types
194@end menu
195
196@end ifnottex
197
198@contents
199
200@node Summary
201@unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
202
203The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
204going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
205program was doing at the moment it crashed.
206
207@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
208these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
209
210@itemize @bullet
211@item
212Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
213
214@item
215Make your program stop on specified conditions.
216
217@item
218Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
219
220@item
221Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
222effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
223@end itemize
224
225You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
226For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
227For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
228
229Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
230@ref{D,,D}.
231
232@cindex Modula-2
233Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
234@ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
235
236Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
237@ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
238
239@cindex Pascal
240Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
241nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
242entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
243syntax.
244
245@cindex Fortran
246@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
247it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
248underscore.
249
250@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
251using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
252
253@menu
254* Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
255* Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256* Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
257@end menu
258
259@node Free Software
260@unnumberedsec Free Software
261
262@value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
263General Public License
264(GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
265program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
266freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
267the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
268Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
269Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
270
271Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
272you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
273from anyone else.
274
275@node Free Documentation
276@unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
277
278The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
279the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
280include with the free software. Many of our most important
281programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
282texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
283when an important free software package does not come with a free
284manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
285gaps today.
286
287Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
288normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
289authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
290copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
291them from the free software world.
292
293That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
294from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
295manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
296only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
297contract to make it non-free.
298
299Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
300price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
301charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
302Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
303problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
304are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
305modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
306
307The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
308free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
309commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
310accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
311
312Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
313When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
314are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
315provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
316manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
317a changed version of the program is not really available to our
318community.
319
320Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
321acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
322author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
323authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
324to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
325may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
326with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
327are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
328of the manual.
329
330However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
331content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
332media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
333obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
334manual to replace it.
335
336Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
337lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
338free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
339the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
340realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
341the free software community.
342
343If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
344the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
345license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
346don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
347will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
348option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
349what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
350try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
351is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
352
353You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
354manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
355copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
356improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
357at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
358and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
359Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
360have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
361
362The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
363published by other publishers, at
364@url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
365
366@node Contributors
367@unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
368
369Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
370other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
371development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
372of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
373to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
374file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
375blow-by-blow account.
376
377Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
378
379@quotation
380@emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
381or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
382omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
383@end quotation
384
385So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
386particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
387releases:
388Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
389Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
390Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
391Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
392Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
393Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
394John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
395Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
396and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
397
398Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
399Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
400
401Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
402in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
403Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
404demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
405much general update work leading to release 3.0).
406
407@value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
408object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
409Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
410
411David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
412the original support for encapsulated COFF.
413
414Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
415
416Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
417Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
418support.
419Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
420Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
421Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
422David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
423Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
424Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
425Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
426Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
427Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
428Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
429Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
430Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
431Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
432Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
433Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
434Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
435
436Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
437
438Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
439libraries.
440
441Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
442about several machine instruction sets.
443
444Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
445remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
446contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
447and RDI targets, respectively.
448
449Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
450command-line editing and command history.
451
452Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
453Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
454
455Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
456He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
457symbols.
458
459Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
460H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
461
462NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
463
464Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
465processors.
466
467Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
468
469Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
470
471Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
472
473Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
474watchpoints.
475
476Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
477
478Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
479
480Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
481nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
482
483The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
484support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
485(narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
486compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
487Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
488Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
489provided HP-specific information in this manual.
490
491DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
492Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
493
494Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
495development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
496fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
497Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
498Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
499Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
500Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
501addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
502JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
503Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
504Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
505Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
506Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
507Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
508Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
509
510Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
511Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
512
513Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
514Hat.
515
516Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
517people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
518Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
519Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
520Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
521with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
522
523Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
524unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
525frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
526Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
527libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
528trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
529complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
530Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
531Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
532Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
533Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
534Weigand.
535
536Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
537Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
538who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
539Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
540
541Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
542Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
543
544@node Sample Session
545@chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
546
547You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
548However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
549debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
550
551@iftex
552In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
553to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
554@end iftex
555
556@c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
557@c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
558
559One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
560processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
561quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
562definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
563session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
564then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
565same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
566@code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
567procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
568
569@smallexample
570$ @b{cd gnu/m4}
571$ @b{./m4}
572@b{define(foo,0000)}
573
574@b{foo}
5750000
576@b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
577
578@b{bar}
5790000
580@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
581
582@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
583@b{baz}
584@b{Ctrl-d}
585m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
586@end smallexample
587
588@noindent
589Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
590
591@smallexample
592$ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
593@c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
594@c FIXME... format to come out better.
595@value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
596 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
597 the conditions.
598There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
599 for details.
600
601@value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
602(@value{GDBP})
603@end smallexample
604
605@noindent
606@value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
607rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
608We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
609that examples fit in this manual.
610
611@smallexample
612(@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
613@end smallexample
614
615@noindent
616We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
617Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
618@code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
619@code{break} command.
620
621@smallexample
622(@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
623Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
624@end smallexample
625
626@noindent
627Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
628control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
629subroutine, the program runs as usual:
630
631@smallexample
632(@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
633Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
634@b{define(foo,0000)}
635
636@b{foo}
6370000
638@end smallexample
639
640@noindent
641To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
642suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
643context where it stops.
644
645@smallexample
646@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
647
648Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
649 at builtin.c:879
650879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
651@end smallexample
652
653@noindent
654Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
655the next line of the current function.
656
657@smallexample
658(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
659882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
660 : nil,
661@end smallexample
662
663@noindent
664@code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
665by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
666@code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
667subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
668
669@smallexample
670(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
671set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
672 at input.c:530
673530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
674@end smallexample
675
676@noindent
677The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
678suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
679shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
680command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
681in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
682stack frame for each active subroutine.
683
684@smallexample
685(@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
686#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
687 at input.c:530
688#1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
689 at builtin.c:882
690#2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
691#3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
692 at macro.c:71
693#4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
694#5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
695@end smallexample
696
697@noindent
698We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
699times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
700falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
701
702@smallexample
703(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
7040x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
705(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
7060x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
707def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
708(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
709536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
710 : xstrdup(rq);
711(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
712538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
713@end smallexample
714
715@noindent
716The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
717@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
718and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
719(@code{print}) to see their values.
720
721@smallexample
722(@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
723$1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
724(@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
725$2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
726@end smallexample
727
728@noindent
729@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
730To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
731surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
732
733@smallexample
734(@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
735533 xfree(rquote);
736534
737535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
738 : xstrdup (lq);
739536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
740 : xstrdup (rq);
741537
742538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
743539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
744540 @}
745541
746542 void
747@end smallexample
748
749@noindent
750Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
751@code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
752
753@smallexample
754(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
755539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
756(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
757540 @}
758(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
759$3 = 9
760(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
761$4 = 7
762@end smallexample
763
764@noindent
765That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
766@code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
767@code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
768the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
769any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
770assignments.
771
772@smallexample
773(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
774$5 = 7
775(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
776$6 = 9
777@end smallexample
778
779@noindent
780Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
781@code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
782executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
783example that caused trouble initially:
784
785@smallexample
786(@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
787Continuing.
788
789@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
790
791baz
7920000
793@end smallexample
794
795@noindent
796Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
797problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
798lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
799
800@smallexample
801@b{Ctrl-d}
802Program exited normally.
803@end smallexample
804
805@noindent
806The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
807indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
808session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
809
810@smallexample
811(@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
812@end smallexample
813
814@node Invocation
815@chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
816
817This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
818The essentials are:
819@itemize @bullet
820@item
821type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
822@item
823type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
824@end itemize
825
826@menu
827* Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
828* Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
829* Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
830* Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
831@end menu
832
833@node Invoking GDB
834@section Invoking @value{GDBN}
835
836Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
837@value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
838
839You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
840to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
841
842The command-line options described here are designed
843to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
844options may effectively be unavailable.
845
846The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
847specifying an executable program:
848
849@smallexample
850@value{GDBP} @var{program}
851@end smallexample
852
853@noindent
854You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
855specified:
856
857@smallexample
858@value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
859@end smallexample
860
861You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
862to debug a running process:
863
864@smallexample
865@value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
866@end smallexample
867
868@noindent
869would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
870named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
871
872Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
873complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
874debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
875``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
876will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
877
878You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
879executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
880option processing.
881@smallexample
882@value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
883@end smallexample
884This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
885@code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
886
887You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
888@value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{--silent}
889(or @code{-q}/@code{--quiet}):
890
891@smallexample
892@value{GDBP} --silent
893@end smallexample
894
895@noindent
896You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
897options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
898
899@noindent
900Type
901
902@smallexample
903@value{GDBP} -help
904@end smallexample
905
906@noindent
907to display all available options and briefly describe their use
908(@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
909
910All options and command line arguments you give are processed
911in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
912@samp{-x} option is used.
913
914
915@menu
916* File Options:: Choosing files
917* Mode Options:: Choosing modes
918* Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
919@end menu
920
921@node File Options
922@subsection Choosing Files
923
924When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
925specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
926the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
927@samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
928first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
929equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
930second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
931equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
932If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
933first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
934to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
935a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
936prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
937
938If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
939such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
940argument and ignore it.
941
942Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
943following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
944them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
945(If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
946than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
947
948@c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
949@c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
950@c it.
951
952@table @code
953@item -symbols @var{file}
954@itemx -s @var{file}
955@cindex @code{--symbols}
956@cindex @code{-s}
957Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
958
959@item -exec @var{file}
960@itemx -e @var{file}
961@cindex @code{--exec}
962@cindex @code{-e}
963Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
964and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
965
966@item -se @var{file}
967@cindex @code{--se}
968Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
969file.
970
971@item -core @var{file}
972@itemx -c @var{file}
973@cindex @code{--core}
974@cindex @code{-c}
975Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
976
977@item -pid @var{number}
978@itemx -p @var{number}
979@cindex @code{--pid}
980@cindex @code{-p}
981Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
982
983@item -command @var{file}
984@itemx -x @var{file}
985@cindex @code{--command}
986@cindex @code{-x}
987Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
988evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
989@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
990
991@item -eval-command @var{command}
992@itemx -ex @var{command}
993@cindex @code{--eval-command}
994@cindex @code{-ex}
995Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
996
997This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
998also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
999
1000@smallexample
1001@value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1002 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1003@end smallexample
1004
1005@item -init-command @var{file}
1006@itemx -ix @var{file}
1007@cindex @code{--init-command}
1008@cindex @code{-ix}
1009Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1010after loading gdbinit files).
1011@xref{Startup}.
1012
1013@item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1014@itemx -iex @var{command}
1015@cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1016@cindex @code{-iex}
1017Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1018after loading gdbinit files).
1019@xref{Startup}.
1020
1021@item -directory @var{directory}
1022@itemx -d @var{directory}
1023@cindex @code{--directory}
1024@cindex @code{-d}
1025Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1026
1027@item -r
1028@itemx -readnow
1029@cindex @code{--readnow}
1030@cindex @code{-r}
1031Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1032the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1033This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1034
1035@end table
1036
1037@node Mode Options
1038@subsection Choosing Modes
1039
1040You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1041batch mode or quiet mode.
1042
1043@table @code
1044@anchor{-nx}
1045@item -nx
1046@itemx -n
1047@cindex @code{--nx}
1048@cindex @code{-n}
1049Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1050There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1051
1052@table @code
1053@item @file{system.gdbinit}
1054This is the system-wide init file.
1055Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1056configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1057It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1058have been processed.
1059@item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1060This is the init file in your home directory.
1061It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1062command options have been processed.
1063@item @file{./.gdbinit}
1064This is the init file in the current directory.
1065It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1066@code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1067@code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1068@end table
1069
1070For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1071For documentation on how to write command files,
1072@xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1073
1074@anchor{-nh}
1075@item -nh
1076@cindex @code{--nh}
1077Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1078in your home directory.
1079@xref{Startup}.
1080
1081@item -quiet
1082@itemx -silent
1083@itemx -q
1084@cindex @code{--quiet}
1085@cindex @code{--silent}
1086@cindex @code{-q}
1087``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1088messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1089
1090@item -batch
1091@cindex @code{--batch}
1092Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1093command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1094initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1095nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1096in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1097terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1098off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1099
1100Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1101example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1102make this more useful, the message
1103
1104@smallexample
1105Program exited normally.
1106@end smallexample
1107
1108@noindent
1109(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1110@value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1111mode.
1112
1113@item -batch-silent
1114@cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1115Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1116@value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1117unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1118for an interactive session.
1119
1120This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1121messages, for example.
1122
1123Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1124writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1125
1126@item -return-child-result
1127@cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1128The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1129process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1130
1131@itemize @bullet
1132@item
1133@value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1134internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1135without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1136@item
1137The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1138@item
1139The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1140the exit code will be -1.
1141@end itemize
1142
1143This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1144when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1145interface.
1146
1147@item -nowindows
1148@itemx -nw
1149@cindex @code{--nowindows}
1150@cindex @code{-nw}
1151``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1152(GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1153interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1154
1155@item -windows
1156@itemx -w
1157@cindex @code{--windows}
1158@cindex @code{-w}
1159If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1160used if possible.
1161
1162@item -cd @var{directory}
1163@cindex @code{--cd}
1164Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1165instead of the current directory.
1166
1167@item -data-directory @var{directory}
1168@itemx -D @var{directory}
1169@cindex @code{--data-directory}
1170@cindex @code{-D}
1171Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1172The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1173auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1174
1175@item -fullname
1176@itemx -f
1177@cindex @code{--fullname}
1178@cindex @code{-f}
1179@sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1180subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1181number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1182displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1183recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1184the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1185and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1186@samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1187frame.
1188
1189@item -annotate @var{level}
1190@cindex @code{--annotate}
1191This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1192effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1193(@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1194information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1195expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1196normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1197@sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1198that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1199
1200The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1201(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1202
1203@item --args
1204@cindex @code{--args}
1205Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1206executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1207This option stops option processing.
1208
1209@item -baud @var{bps}
1210@itemx -b @var{bps}
1211@cindex @code{--baud}
1212@cindex @code{-b}
1213Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1214interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1215
1216@item -l @var{timeout}
1217@cindex @code{-l}
1218Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1219for remote debugging.
1220
1221@item -tty @var{device}
1222@itemx -t @var{device}
1223@cindex @code{--tty}
1224@cindex @code{-t}
1225Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1226@c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1227
1228@c resolve the situation of these eventually
1229@item -tui
1230@cindex @code{--tui}
1231Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1232Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1233source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1234(@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1235option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1236Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1237
1238@c @item -xdb
1239@c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1240@c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1241@c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1242@c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1243@c systems.
1244
1245@item -interpreter @var{interp}
1246@cindex @code{--interpreter}
1247Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1248program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1249communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1250@xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1251
1252@samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1253@value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1254The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1255previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1256selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1257@sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1258
1259@item -write
1260@cindex @code{--write}
1261Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1262is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1263(@pxref{Patching}).
1264
1265@item -statistics
1266@cindex @code{--statistics}
1267This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1268memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1269
1270@item -version
1271@cindex @code{--version}
1272This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1273no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1274
1275@item -configuration
1276@cindex @code{--configuration}
1277This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1278configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1279important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1280
1281@end table
1282
1283@node Startup
1284@subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1285@cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1286
1287Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1288
1289@enumerate
1290@item
1291Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1292(@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1293
1294@item
1295@cindex init file
1296Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1297used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1298 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1299that file.
1300
1301@anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1302@item
1303Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1304DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1305@code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1306that file.
1307
1308@anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1309@item
1310Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1311@samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1312@samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1313settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1314gets loaded.
1315
1316@item
1317Processes command line options and operands.
1318
1319@anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1320@item
1321Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1322working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1323@samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1324This is only done if the current directory is
1325different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1326init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1327to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1328@value{GDBN}.
1329
1330@item
1331If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1332attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1333scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1334@xref{Auto-loading}.
1335
1336If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1337you must do something like the following:
1338
1339@smallexample
1340$ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1341@end smallexample
1342
1343Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1344off too late.
1345
1346@item
1347Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1348@samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1349more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1350
1351@item
1352Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1353@xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1354files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1355@end enumerate
1356
1357Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1358Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1359file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1360complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1361and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1362option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1363
1364To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1365can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1366
1367@cindex init file name
1368@cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1369@cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1370The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1371The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1372the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1373port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1374@file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1375and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1376
1377
1378@node Quitting GDB
1379@section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1380@cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1381@cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1382
1383@table @code
1384@kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1385@kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1386@item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1387@itemx q
1388To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1389@code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1390do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1391otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1392error code.
1393@end table
1394
1395@cindex interrupt
1396An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1397terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1398returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1399character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1400until a time when it is safe.
1401
1402If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1403device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1404(@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1405
1406@node Shell Commands
1407@section Shell Commands
1408
1409If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1410debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1411just use the @code{shell} command.
1412
1413@table @code
1414@kindex shell
1415@kindex !
1416@cindex shell escape
1417@item shell @var{command-string}
1418@itemx !@var{command-string}
1419Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1420Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1421If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1422shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1423(@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1424@end table
1425
1426The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1427You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1428@value{GDBN}:
1429
1430@table @code
1431@kindex make
1432@cindex calling make
1433@item make @var{make-args}
1434Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1435arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1436@end table
1437
1438@node Logging Output
1439@section Logging Output
1440@cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1441@cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1442
1443You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1444There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1445
1446@table @code
1447@kindex set logging
1448@item set logging on
1449Enable logging.
1450@item set logging off
1451Disable logging.
1452@cindex logging file name
1453@item set logging file @var{file}
1454Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1455@item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1456By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1457you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1458@item set logging redirect [on|off]
1459By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1460Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1461@kindex show logging
1462@item show logging
1463Show the current values of the logging settings.
1464@end table
1465
1466@node Commands
1467@chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1468
1469You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1470name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1471@value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1472key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1473show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1474
1475@menu
1476* Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1477* Completion:: Command completion
1478* Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1479@end menu
1480
1481@node Command Syntax
1482@section Command Syntax
1483
1484A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1485how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1486arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1487command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1488step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1489with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1490
1491@cindex abbreviation
1492@value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1493unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1494documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1495abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1496equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1497names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1498arguments to the @code{help} command.
1499
1500@cindex repeating commands
1501@kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1502A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1503repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1504will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1505repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1506repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1507@ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1508
1509The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1510@key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1511exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1512
1513@value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1514output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1515(@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1516@key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1517repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1518
1519@kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1520@cindex comment
1521Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1522nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1523Files,,Command Files}).
1524
1525@cindex repeating command sequences
1526@kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1527The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1528commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1529then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1530for editing.
1531
1532@node Completion
1533@section Command Completion
1534
1535@cindex completion
1536@cindex word completion
1537@value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1538only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1539are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1540commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1541
1542Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1543of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1544word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1545enter it). For example, if you type
1546
1547@c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1548@c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1549@c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1550@c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1551@smallexample
1552(@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1553@end smallexample
1554
1555@noindent
1556@value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1557the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1558
1559@smallexample
1560(@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1561@end smallexample
1562
1563@noindent
1564You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1565breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1566@samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1567were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1568might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1569to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1570
1571If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1572@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1573characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1574@value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1575example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1576begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1577just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1578function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1579example:
1580
1581@smallexample
1582(@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1583@exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1584make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1585make_abs_section make_function_type
1586make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1587make_cleanup make_reference_type
1588make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1589(@value{GDBP}) b make_
1590@end smallexample
1591
1592@noindent
1593After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1594partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1595command.
1596
1597If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1598can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1599means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1600key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1601one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1602
1603@cindex quotes in commands
1604@cindex completion of quoted strings
1605Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1606parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1607its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1608situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1609@value{GDBN} commands.
1610
1611The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1612name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1613overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1614by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1615may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1616that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1617that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1618word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1619@code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1620@value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1621when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1622
1623@smallexample
1624(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1625bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1626(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1627@end smallexample
1628
1629In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1630quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1631completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1632place:
1633
1634@smallexample
1635(@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1636@exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1637(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1638@end smallexample
1639
1640@noindent
1641In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1642you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1643completion on an overloaded symbol.
1644
1645For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1646Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1647overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1648see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1649
1650@cindex completion of structure field names
1651@cindex structure field name completion
1652@cindex completion of union field names
1653@cindex union field name completion
1654When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1655structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1656confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1657examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1658limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1659left-hand-side:
1660
1661@smallexample
1662(@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1663magic to_fputs to_rewind
1664to_data to_isatty to_write
1665to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1666to_flush to_read
1667@end smallexample
1668
1669@noindent
1670This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1671@code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1672follows:
1673
1674@smallexample
1675struct ui_file
1676@{
1677 int *magic;
1678 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1679 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1680 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1681 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1682 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1683 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1684 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1685 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1686 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1687 void *to_data;
1688@}
1689@end smallexample
1690
1691
1692@node Help
1693@section Getting Help
1694@cindex online documentation
1695@kindex help
1696
1697You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1698using the command @code{help}.
1699
1700@table @code
1701@kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1702@item help
1703@itemx h
1704You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1705display a short list of named classes of commands:
1706
1707@smallexample
1708(@value{GDBP}) help
1709List of classes of commands:
1710
1711aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1712breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1713data -- Examining data
1714files -- Specifying and examining files
1715internals -- Maintenance commands
1716obscure -- Obscure features
1717running -- Running the program
1718stack -- Examining the stack
1719status -- Status inquiries
1720support -- Support facilities
1721tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1722 stopping the program
1723user-defined -- User-defined commands
1724
1725Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1726commands in that class.
1727Type "help" followed by command name for full
1728documentation.
1729Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1730(@value{GDBP})
1731@end smallexample
1732@c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1733
1734@item help @var{class}
1735Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1736list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1737help display for the class @code{status}:
1738
1739@smallexample
1740(@value{GDBP}) help status
1741Status inquiries.
1742
1743List of commands:
1744
1745@c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1746@c to fit in smallbook page size.
1747info -- Generic command for showing things
1748 about the program being debugged
1749show -- Generic command for showing things
1750 about the debugger
1751
1752Type "help" followed by command name for full
1753documentation.
1754Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1755(@value{GDBP})
1756@end smallexample
1757
1758@item help @var{command}
1759With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1760short paragraph on how to use that command.
1761
1762@kindex apropos
1763@item apropos @var{args}
1764The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1765commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1766@var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1767
1768@smallexample
1769apropos alias
1770@end smallexample
1771
1772@noindent
1773results in:
1774
1775@smallexample
1776@c @group
1777alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1778aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1779d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1780del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1781delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1782@c @end group
1783@end smallexample
1784
1785@kindex complete
1786@item complete @var{args}
1787The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1788for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1789command you want completed. For example:
1790
1791@smallexample
1792complete i
1793@end smallexample
1794
1795@noindent results in:
1796
1797@smallexample
1798@group
1799if
1800ignore
1801info
1802inspect
1803@end group
1804@end smallexample
1805
1806@noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1807@end table
1808
1809In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1810and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1811of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1812manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1813under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1814Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1815Index}.
1816
1817@c @group
1818@table @code
1819@kindex info
1820@kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1821@item info
1822This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1823program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1824with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1825registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1826You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1827@w{@code{help info}}.
1828
1829@kindex set
1830@item set
1831You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1832@code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1833@code{set prompt $}.
1834
1835@kindex show
1836@item show
1837In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1838@value{GDBN} itself.
1839You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1840related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1841system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1842which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1843
1844@kindex info set
1845To display all the settable parameters and their current
1846values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1847@code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1848@c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1849@c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1850@c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1851@end table
1852@c @end group
1853
1854Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1855exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1856
1857@table @code
1858@kindex show version
1859@cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1860@item show version
1861Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1862information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1863@value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1864version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1865commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1866system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1867variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1868The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1869@value{GDBN}.
1870
1871@kindex show copying
1872@kindex info copying
1873@cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1874@item show copying
1875@itemx info copying
1876Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1877
1878@kindex show warranty
1879@kindex info warranty
1880@item show warranty
1881@itemx info warranty
1882Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1883if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1884
1885@kindex show configuration
1886@item show configuration
1887Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1888when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1889@file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1890automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1891bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1892your report.
1893
1894@end table
1895
1896@node Running
1897@chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1898
1899When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1900debugging information when you compile it.
1901
1902You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1903of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1904your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1905kill a child process.
1906
1907@menu
1908* Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1909* Starting:: Starting your program
1910* Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1911* Environment:: Your program's environment
1912
1913* Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1914* Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1915* Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1916* Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1917
1918* Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1919* Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1920* Forks:: Debugging forks
1921* Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1922@end menu
1923
1924@node Compilation
1925@section Compiling for Debugging
1926
1927In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1928debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1929is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1930variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1931and addresses in the executable code.
1932
1933To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1934the compiler.
1935
1936Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1937optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1938compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1939together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1940executables containing debugging information.
1941
1942@value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1943without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1944recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1945program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1946in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1947
1948Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1949@w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1950format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1951
1952@value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1953expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1954about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1955the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1956the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1957the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1958
1959@xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1960gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1961information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1962
1963You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1964version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1965DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1966format in @value{GDBN}.
1967
1968@need 2000
1969@node Starting
1970@section Starting your Program
1971@cindex starting
1972@cindex running
1973
1974@table @code
1975@kindex run
1976@kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1977@item run
1978@itemx r
1979Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1980You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1981argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1982@value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1983(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1984
1985@end table
1986
1987If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1988supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1989that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1990@code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1991like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1992message like this one:
1993
1994@smallexample
1995The "remote" target does not support "run".
1996Try "help target" or "continue".
1997@end smallexample
1998
1999@noindent
2000then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
2001first (@pxref{load}).
2002
2003The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2004receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2005information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2006can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2007your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2008divided into four categories:
2009
2010@table @asis
2011@item The @emph{arguments.}
2012Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2013@code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2014is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2015(such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2016the arguments.
2017In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2018@code{SHELL} environment variable. If you do not define @code{SHELL},
2019@value{GDBN} uses the default shell (@file{/bin/sh}). You can disable
2020use of any shell with the @code{set startup-with-shell} command (see
2021below for details).
2022
2023@item The @emph{environment.}
2024Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2025use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2026environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2027your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2028
2029@item The @emph{working directory.}
2030Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2031the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2032@xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2033
2034@item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2035Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2036standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2037in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2038set a different device for your program.
2039@xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2040
2041@cindex pipes
2042@emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2043pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2044program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2045wrong program.
2046@end table
2047
2048When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2049immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2050of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2051stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2052or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2053
2054If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2055time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2056table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2057your current breakpoints.
2058
2059@table @code
2060@kindex start
2061@item start
2062@cindex run to main procedure
2063The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2064With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2065other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2066main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2067execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2068procedure, depending on the language used.
2069
2070The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2071breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2072the @samp{run} command.
2073
2074@cindex elaboration phase
2075Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2076executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2077languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2078constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2079@code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2080before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2081will remain to halt execution.
2082
2083Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2084@samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2085underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2086reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2087@samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2088
2089It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2090these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2091your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2092elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2093elaboration code before running your program.
2094
2095@anchor{set exec-wrapper}
2096@kindex set exec-wrapper
2097@item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2098@itemx show exec-wrapper
2099@itemx unset exec-wrapper
2100When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2101launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2102with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2103@var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2104arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2105appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2106your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2107
2108You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2109its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2110this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2111with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2112
2113For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2114the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2115environment:
2116
2117@smallexample
2118(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2119(@value{GDBP}) run
2120@end smallexample
2121
2122This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2123@sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2124
2125@kindex set startup-with-shell
2126@item set startup-with-shell
2127@itemx set startup-with-shell on
2128@itemx set startup-with-shell off
2129@itemx show set startup-with-shell
2130On Unix systems, by default, if a shell is available on your target,
2131@value{GDBN}) uses it to start your program. Arguments of the
2132@code{run} command are passed to the shell, which does variable
2133substitution, expands wildcard characters and performs redirection of
2134I/O. In some circumstances, it may be useful to disable such use of a
2135shell, for example, when debugging the shell itself or diagnosing
2136startup failures such as:
2137
2138@smallexample
2139(@value{GDBP}) run
2140Starting program: ./a.out
2141During startup program terminated with signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
2142@end smallexample
2143
2144@noindent
2145which indicates the shell or the wrapper specified with
2146@samp{exec-wrapper} crashed, not your program. Most often, this is
2147caused by something odd in your shell's non-interactive mode
2148initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell,
2149$@file{.zshenv} for the Z shell, or the file specified in the
2150@samp{BASH_ENV} environment variable for BASH.
2151
2152@anchor{set auto-connect-native-target}
2153@kindex set auto-connect-native-target
2154@item set auto-connect-native-target
2155@itemx set auto-connect-native-target on
2156@itemx set auto-connect-native-target off
2157@itemx show auto-connect-native-target
2158
2159By default, if not connected to any target yet (e.g., with
2160@code{target remote}), the @code{run} command starts your program as a
2161native process under @value{GDBN}, on your local machine. If you're
2162sure you don't want to debug programs on your local machine, you can
2163tell @value{GDBN} to not connect to the native target automatically
2164with the @code{set auto-connect-native-target off} command.
2165
2166If @code{on}, which is the default, and if @value{GDBN} is not
2167connected to a target already, the @code{run} command automaticaly
2168connects to the native target, if one is available.
2169
2170If @code{off}, and if @value{GDBN} is not connected to a target
2171already, the @code{run} command fails with an error:
2172
2173@smallexample
2174(@value{GDBP}) run
2175Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2176@end smallexample
2177
2178If @value{GDBN} is already connected to a target, @value{GDBN} always
2179uses it with the @code{run} command.
2180
2181In any case, you can explicitly connect to the native target with the
2182@code{target native} command. For example,
2183
2184@smallexample
2185(@value{GDBP}) set auto-connect-native-target off
2186(@value{GDBP}) run
2187Don't know how to run. Try "help target".
2188(@value{GDBP}) target native
2189(@value{GDBP}) run
2190Starting program: ./a.out
2191[Inferior 1 (process 10421) exited normally]
2192@end smallexample
2193
2194In case you connected explicitly to the @code{native} target,
2195@value{GDBN} remains connected even if all inferiors exit, ready for
2196the next @code{run} command. Use the @code{disconnect} command to
2197disconnect.
2198
2199Examples of other commands that likewise respect the
2200@code{auto-connect-native-target} setting: @code{attach}, @code{info
2201proc}, @code{info os}.
2202
2203@kindex set disable-randomization
2204@item set disable-randomization
2205@itemx set disable-randomization on
2206This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2207randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2208is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2209reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2210
2211This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2212On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2213
2214@smallexample
2215(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2216@end smallexample
2217
2218@item set disable-randomization off
2219Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2220ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2221disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2222@value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2223as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2224disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2225
2226On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2227protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2228cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2229code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2230a code at its expected addresses.
2231
2232Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2233makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2234having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2235library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2236misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2237random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2238startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2239a randomly chosen address.
2240
2241Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2242similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2243a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2244already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2245executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2246
2247Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2248(as long as the randomization is enabled).
2249
2250@item show disable-randomization
2251Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2252the virtual address space of the started program.
2253
2254@end table
2255
2256@node Arguments
2257@section Your Program's Arguments
2258
2259@cindex arguments (to your program)
2260The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2261@code{run} command.
2262They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2263performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2264@code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2265@value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2266the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2267
2268On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2269@value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2270calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2271the program, not by the shell.
2272
2273@code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2274@code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2275
2276@table @code
2277@kindex set args
2278@item set args
2279Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2280@code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2281with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2282using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2283it again without arguments.
2284
2285@kindex show args
2286@item show args
2287Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2288@end table
2289
2290@node Environment
2291@section Your Program's Environment
2292
2293@cindex environment (of your program)
2294The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2295their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2296your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2297path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2298the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2299debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2300environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2301
2302@table @code
2303@kindex path
2304@item path @var{directory}
2305Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2306(the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2307The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2308You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2309system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2310MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2311is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2312
2313You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2314working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2315use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2316@code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2317@var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2318@var{directory} to the search path.
2319@c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2320@c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2321
2322@kindex show paths
2323@item show paths
2324Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2325environment variable).
2326
2327@kindex show environment
2328@item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2329Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2330your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2331print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2332your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2333
2334@kindex set environment
2335@item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2336Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2337changes for your program (and the shell @value{GDBN} uses to launch
2338it), not for @value{GDBN} itself. The @var{value} may be any string; the
2339values of environment variables are just strings, and any
2340interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2341parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2342null value.
2343@c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2344@c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2345
2346For example, this command:
2347
2348@smallexample
2349set env USER = foo
2350@end smallexample
2351
2352@noindent
2353tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2354@samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2355are not actually required.)
2356
2357Note that on Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program via a shell,
2358which also inherits the environment set with @code{set environment}.
2359If necessary, you can avoid that by using the @samp{env} program as a
2360wrapper instead of using @code{set environment}. @xref{set
2361exec-wrapper}, for an example doing just that.
2362
2363@kindex unset environment
2364@item unset environment @var{varname}
2365Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2366program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2367@code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2368rather than assigning it an empty value.
2369@end table
2370
2371@emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2372the shell indicated by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it
2373exists (or @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable
2374names a shell that runs an initialization file when started
2375non-interactively---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, $@file{.zshenv}
2376for the Z shell, or the file specified in the @samp{BASH_ENV}
2377environment variable for BASH---any variables you set in that file
2378affect your program. You may wish to move setting of environment
2379variables to files that are only run when you sign on, such as
2380@file{.login} or @file{.profile}.
2381
2382@node Working Directory
2383@section Your Program's Working Directory
2384
2385@cindex working directory (of your program)
2386Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2387working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2388The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2389from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2390working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2391
2392The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2393that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2394Specify Files}.
2395
2396@table @code
2397@kindex cd
2398@cindex change working directory
2399@item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2400Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2401given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2402
2403@kindex pwd
2404@item pwd
2405Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2406@end table
2407
2408It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2409the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2410during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2411configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2412proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2413current working directory of the debuggee.
2414
2415@node Input/Output
2416@section Your Program's Input and Output
2417
2418@cindex redirection
2419@cindex i/o
2420@cindex terminal
2421By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2422the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2423to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2424modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2425running your program.
2426
2427@table @code
2428@kindex info terminal
2429@item info terminal
2430Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2431program is using.
2432@end table
2433
2434You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2435redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2436
2437@smallexample
2438run > outfile
2439@end smallexample
2440
2441@noindent
2442starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2443
2444@kindex tty
2445@cindex controlling terminal
2446Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2447with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2448argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2449commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2450process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2451
2452@smallexample
2453tty /dev/ttyb
2454@end smallexample
2455
2456@noindent
2457directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2458default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2459that as their controlling terminal.
2460
2461An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2462effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2463terminal.
2464
2465When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2466command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2467for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2468for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2469
2470@cindex inferior tty
2471@cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2472You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2473display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2474program.
2475
2476@table @code
2477@item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2478@kindex set inferior-tty
2479Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2480
2481@item show inferior-tty
2482@kindex show inferior-tty
2483Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2484@end table
2485
2486@node Attach
2487@section Debugging an Already-running Process
2488@kindex attach
2489@cindex attach
2490
2491@table @code
2492@item attach @var{process-id}
2493This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2494outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2495targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2496find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2497or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2498
2499@code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2500executing the command.
2501@end table
2502
2503To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2504which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2505programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2506also have permission to send the process a signal.
2507
2508When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2509the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2510the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2511(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2512the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2513Specify Files}.
2514
2515The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2516process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2517with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2518you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2519can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2520process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2521attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2522
2523@table @code
2524@kindex detach
2525@item detach
2526When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2527@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2528the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2529that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2530are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2531@code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2532executing the command.
2533@end table
2534
2535If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2536that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2537By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2538things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2539@code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2540Messages}).
2541
2542@node Kill Process
2543@section Killing the Child Process
2544
2545@table @code
2546@kindex kill
2547@item kill
2548Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2549@end table
2550
2551This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2552running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2553is running.
2554
2555On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2556while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2557@code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2558outside the debugger.
2559
2560The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2561relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2562executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2563next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2564reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2565breakpoint settings).
2566
2567@node Inferiors and Programs
2568@section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2569
2570@value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2571session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2572several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2573before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2574multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2575from multiple executables.
2576
2577@cindex inferior
2578@value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2579object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2580a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2581have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2582may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2583identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2584inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2585embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2586of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2587threads running in it.
2588
2589To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2590inferiors}}:
2591
2592@table @code
2593@kindex info inferiors
2594@item info inferiors
2595Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2596
2597@value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2598
2599@enumerate
2600@item
2601the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2602
2603@item
2604the target system's inferior identifier
2605
2606@item
2607the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2608
2609@end enumerate
2610
2611@noindent
2612An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2613indicates the current inferior.
2614
2615For example,
2616@end table
2617@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2618
2619@smallexample
2620(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2621 Num Description Executable
2622 2 process 2307 hello
2623* 1 process 3401 goodbye
2624@end smallexample
2625
2626To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2627
2628@table @code
2629@kindex inferior @var{infno}
2630@item inferior @var{infno}
2631Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2632@var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2633in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2634@end table
2635
2636
2637You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2638@code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2639systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2640automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2641remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2642@w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2643
2644@table @code
2645@kindex add-inferior
2646@item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2647Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2648executable; @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2649the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2650change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2651@code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2652
2653@kindex clone-inferior
2654@item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2655Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2656@var{infno}; @var{n} defaults to 1, and @var{infno} defaults to the
2657number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2658want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2659
2660@smallexample
2661(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2662 Num Description Executable
2663* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2664(@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2665Added inferior 2.
26661 inferiors added.
2667(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2668 Num Description Executable
2669 2 <null> helloworld
2670* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2671@end smallexample
2672
2673You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2674
2675@kindex remove-inferiors
2676@item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2677Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2678possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2679those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2680
2681@end table
2682
2683To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2684inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2685inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2686using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2687
2688@table @code
2689@kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2690@item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2691Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2692inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2693still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2694but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2695
2696@kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2697@item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2698Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2699number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2700stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2701Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2702@end table
2703
2704After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2705@code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2706a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2707@code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2708
2709
2710To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2711control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2712
2713@table @code
2714@kindex set print inferior-events
2715@cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2716@item set print inferior-events
2717@itemx set print inferior-events on
2718@itemx set print inferior-events off
2719The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2720disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2721inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2722detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2723
2724@kindex show print inferior-events
2725@item show print inferior-events
2726Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2727inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2728@end table
2729
2730Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2731single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2732value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2733
2734
2735Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2736get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2737spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2738info program-spaces}} command.
2739
2740@table @code
2741@kindex maint info program-spaces
2742@item maint info program-spaces
2743Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2744@value{GDBN}.
2745
2746@value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2747
2748@enumerate
2749@item
2750the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2751
2752@item
2753the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2754the @code{file} command.
2755
2756@end enumerate
2757
2758@noindent
2759An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2760indicates the current program space.
2761
2762In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2763information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2764example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2765
2766@smallexample
2767(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2768 Id Executable
2769 2 goodbye
2770 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2771* 1 hello
2772@end smallexample
2773
2774Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2775while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2776some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2777same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2778the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2779
2780@smallexample
2781(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2782 Id Executable
2783* 1 vfork-test
2784 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2785@end smallexample
2786
2787Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2788space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2789@end table
2790
2791@node Threads
2792@section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2793
2794@cindex threads of execution
2795@cindex multiple threads
2796@cindex switching threads
2797In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2798may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2799of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2800the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2801that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2802modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2803registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2804
2805@value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2806programs:
2807
2808@itemize @bullet
2809@item automatic notification of new threads
2810@item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2811@item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2812@item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2813a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2814@item thread-specific breakpoints
2815@item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2816messages on thread start and exit.
2817@item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2818the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2819isn't compatible with the program.
2820@end itemize
2821
2822@quotation
2823@emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2824@value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2825If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2826effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2827from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2828like this:
2829
2830@smallexample
2831(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2832(@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2833Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2834see the IDs of currently known threads.
2835@end smallexample
2836@c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2837@c doesn't support threads"?
2838@end quotation
2839
2840@cindex focus of debugging
2841@cindex current thread
2842The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2843threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2844control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2845This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2846program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2847
2848@cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2849@cindex thread identifier (system)
2850@c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2851@c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2852@c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2853Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2854the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2855form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}, where @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2856whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2857@sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2858
2859@smallexample
2860[New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2861@end smallexample
2862
2863@noindent
2864when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2865the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2866further qualifier.
2867
2868@c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2869@c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2870@c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2871@c program?
2872@c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2873@c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2874@c threads ab initio?
2875
2876@cindex thread number
2877@cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2878For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2879number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2880
2881@table @code
2882@kindex info threads
2883@item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2884Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2885argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2886means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2887@value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2888
2889@enumerate
2890@item
2891the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2892
2893@item
2894the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2895
2896@item
2897the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2898the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2899program itself.
2900
2901@item
2902the current stack frame summary for that thread
2903@end enumerate
2904
2905@noindent
2906An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2907indicates the current thread.
2908
2909For example,
2910@end table
2911@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2912
2913@smallexample
2914(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2915 Id Target Id Frame
2916 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2917 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2918* 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2919 at threadtest.c:68
2920@end smallexample
2921
2922On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2923Solaris-specific command:
2924
2925@table @code
2926@item maint info sol-threads
2927@kindex maint info sol-threads
2928@cindex thread info (Solaris)
2929Display info on Solaris user threads.
2930@end table
2931
2932@table @code
2933@kindex thread @var{threadno}
2934@item thread @var{threadno}
2935Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2936argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2937shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2938@value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2939you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2940
2941@smallexample
2942(@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2943[Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2944#0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
29458 printf ("hello\n");
2946@end smallexample
2947
2948@noindent
2949As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2950@samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2951threads.
2952
2953@vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2954The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2955of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2956conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2957@xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2958information on convenience variables.
2959
2960@kindex thread apply
2961@cindex apply command to several threads
2962@item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2963The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2964@var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2965threads that you want affected with the command argument
2966@var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2967shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2968could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2969command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2970
2971@kindex thread name
2972@cindex name a thread
2973@item thread name [@var{name}]
2974This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2975given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2976appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2977
2978On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2979determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2980systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2981system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2982@value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2983
2984@kindex thread find
2985@cindex search for a thread
2986@item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2987Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2988matches the supplied regular expression.
2989
2990As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2991this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2992@var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2993is the LWP id.
2994
2995@smallexample
2996(@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2997Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2998(@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2999 Id Target Id Frame
3000 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
3001@end smallexample
3002
3003@kindex set print thread-events
3004@cindex print messages on thread start and exit
3005@item set print thread-events
3006@itemx set print thread-events on
3007@itemx set print thread-events off
3008The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
3009disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
3010started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
3011be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
3012Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
3013
3014@kindex show print thread-events
3015@item show print thread-events
3016Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
3017have started and exited.
3018@end table
3019
3020@xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
3021more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
3022programs with multiple threads.
3023
3024@xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
3025watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
3026
3027@anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
3028@table @code
3029@kindex set libthread-db-search-path
3030@cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
3031@item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
3032If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
3033directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
3034If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
3035its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
3036Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
3037macro.
3038
3039On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
3040@code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
3041inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3042to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
3043specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
3044by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3045
3046A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3047refers to the default system directories that are
3048normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
3049is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
3050(@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
3051
3052A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
3053refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
3054was loaded in the inferior process.
3055
3056For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
3057@value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
3058If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
3059mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
3060will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
3061If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
3062@value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
3063
3064Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
3065only on some platforms.
3066
3067@kindex show libthread-db-search-path
3068@item show libthread-db-search-path
3069Display current libthread_db search path.
3070
3071@kindex set debug libthread-db
3072@kindex show debug libthread-db
3073@cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
3074@item set debug libthread-db
3075@itemx show debug libthread-db
3076Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
3077Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
3078@end table
3079
3080@node Forks
3081@section Debugging Forks
3082
3083@cindex fork, debugging programs which call
3084@cindex multiple processes
3085@cindex processes, multiple
3086On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
3087programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
3088function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
3089parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
3090set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
3091will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
3092will cause it to terminate.
3093
3094However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3095which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3096the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3097only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3098so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3099on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3100get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3101@value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3102the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3103the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3104
3105On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3106create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3107Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3108only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3109
3110By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3111the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3112
3113If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3114use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3115
3116@table @code
3117@kindex set follow-fork-mode
3118@item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3119Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3120@code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3121process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3122
3123@table @code
3124@item parent
3125The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3126unimpeded. This is the default.
3127
3128@item child
3129The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3130unimpeded.
3131
3132@end table
3133
3134@kindex show follow-fork-mode
3135@item show follow-fork-mode
3136Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3137@end table
3138
3139@cindex debugging multiple processes
3140On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3141command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3142
3143@table @code
3144@kindex set detach-on-fork
3145@item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3146Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3147retain debugger control over them both.
3148
3149@table @code
3150@item on
3151The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3152@code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3153independently. This is the default.
3154
3155@item off
3156Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3157One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3158@code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3159is held suspended.
3160
3161@end table
3162
3163@kindex show detach-on-fork
3164@item show detach-on-fork
3165Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3166@end table
3167
3168If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3169will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3170You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3171using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3172to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3173Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3174
3175To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3176from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3177to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3178command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3179and Programs}.
3180
3181If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3182@code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3183breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3184@code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3185the child process's @code{main}.
3186
3187On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3188cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3189
3190If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3191call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3192process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3193as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3194@value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3195You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3196command.
3197
3198@table @code
3199@kindex set follow-exec-mode
3200@item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3201
3202Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3203@code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3204
3205@code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3206
3207@table @code
3208@item new
3209@value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3210new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3211@code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3212original inferior.
3213
3214For example:
3215
3216@smallexample
3217(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3218(gdb) info inferior
3219 Id Description Executable
3220* 1 <null> prog1
3221(@value{GDBP}) run
3222process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3223Program exited normally.
3224(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3225 Id Description Executable
3226* 2 <null> prog2
3227 1 <null> prog1
3228@end smallexample
3229
3230@item same
3231@value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3232executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3233inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3234e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3235running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3236
3237For example:
3238
3239@smallexample
3240(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3241 Id Description Executable
3242* 1 <null> prog1
3243(@value{GDBP}) run
3244process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3245Program exited normally.
3246(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3247 Id Description Executable
3248* 1 <null> prog2
3249@end smallexample
3250
3251@end table
3252@end table
3253
3254You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3255a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3256Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3257
3258@node Checkpoint/Restart
3259@section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3260
3261@cindex checkpoint
3262@cindex restart
3263@cindex bookmark
3264@cindex snapshot of a process
3265@cindex rewind program state
3266
3267On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3268@sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3269program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3270later.
3271
3272Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3273happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3274includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3275system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3276moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3277
3278Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3279getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3280a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3281the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3282from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3283start again from there.
3284
3285This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3286steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3287
3288To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3289
3290@table @code
3291@kindex checkpoint
3292@item checkpoint
3293Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3294The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3295is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3296
3297@kindex info checkpoints
3298@item info checkpoints
3299List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3300session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3301listed:
3302
3303@table @code
3304@item Checkpoint ID
3305@item Process ID
3306@item Code Address
3307@item Source line, or label
3308@end table
3309
3310@kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3311@item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3312Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3313@var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3314etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3315was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3316in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3317
3318Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3319are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3320only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3321the debugger.
3322
3323@kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3324@item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3325Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3326
3327@end table
3328
3329Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3330of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3331(OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3332a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3333so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3334opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3335previously read data can be read again.
3336
3337Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3338external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3339from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3340but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3341be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3342been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3343
3344However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3345program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3346again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3347different execution path this time.
3348
3349@cindex checkpoints and process id
3350Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3351different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3352id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3353and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3354If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3355potentially pose a problem.
3356
3357@subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3358
3359On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3360is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3361difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3362absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3363absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3364next.
3365
3366A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3367Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3368and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3369process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3370your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3371
3372@node Stopping
3373@chapter Stopping and Continuing
3374
3375The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3376program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3377trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3378
3379Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3380such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3381@value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3382change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3383continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3384ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3385explicitly request this information at any time.
3386
3387@table @code
3388@kindex info program
3389@item info program
3390Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3391running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3392@end table
3393
3394@menu
3395* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3396* Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3397* Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3398 Skipping over functions and files
3399* Signals:: Signals
3400* Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3401@end menu
3402
3403@node Breakpoints
3404@section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3405
3406@cindex breakpoints
3407A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3408the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3409control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3410breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3411Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3412should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3413program.
3414
3415On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3416the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3417you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3418in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3419(for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3420call).
3421
3422@cindex watchpoints
3423@cindex data breakpoints
3424@cindex memory tracing
3425@cindex breakpoint on memory address
3426@cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3427A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3428when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3429of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3430combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3431@dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3432watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3433from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3434enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3435same commands.
3436
3437You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3438whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3439Automatic Display}.
3440
3441@cindex catchpoints
3442@cindex breakpoint on events
3443A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3444when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3445exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3446different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3447Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3448other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3449@code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3450
3451@cindex breakpoint numbers
3452@cindex numbers for breakpoints
3453@value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3454catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3455starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3456features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3457breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3458@dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3459enable it again.
3460
3461@cindex breakpoint ranges
3462@cindex ranges of breakpoints
3463Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3464operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3465@samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3466hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3467all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3468
3469@menu
3470* Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3471* Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3472* Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3473* Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3474* Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3475* Conditions:: Break conditions
3476* Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3477* Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3478* Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3479* Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3480* Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3481* Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3482@end menu
3483
3484@node Set Breaks
3485@subsection Setting Breakpoints
3486
3487@c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3488@c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3489@c
3490@c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3491
3492@kindex break
3493@kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3494@vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3495@cindex latest breakpoint
3496Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3497@code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3498number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3499Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3500convenience variables.
3501
3502@table @code
3503@item break @var{location}
3504Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3505function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3506(@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3507specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3508before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3509
3510When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3511C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3512@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3513that situation.
3514
3515It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3516only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3517or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3518
3519@item break
3520When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3521the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3522(@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3523innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3524returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3525@code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3526that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3527@code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3528the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3529inside loops.
3530
3531@value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3532least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3533would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3534breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3535existed when your program stopped.
3536
3537@item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3538Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3539@var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3540value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3541@samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3542above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3543,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3544
3545@kindex tbreak
3546@item tbreak @var{args}
3547Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args} are the
3548same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3549way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3550program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3551
3552@kindex hbreak
3553@cindex hardware breakpoints
3554@item hbreak @var{args}
3555Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. The @var{args} are the same as for the
3556@code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3557breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3558have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3559debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3560changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3561provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3562will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3563address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3564breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3565example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3566@value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3567or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3568(@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3569@xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3570For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3571breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3572hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3573
3574@kindex thbreak
3575@item thbreak @var{args}
3576Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. The @var{args}
3577are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3578the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3579the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3580first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3581command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3582may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3583See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3584
3585@kindex rbreak
3586@cindex regular expression
3587@cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3588@cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3589@item rbreak @var{regex}
3590Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3591@var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3592matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3593breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3594the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3595them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3596
3597The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3598like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3599shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3600an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3601@code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3602match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3603
3604@cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3605When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3606breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3607classes.
3608
3609@cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3610The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3611@strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3612
3613@smallexample
3614(@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3615@end smallexample
3616
3617@item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3618If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3619the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3620specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3621every function in a given file:
3622
3623@smallexample
3624(@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3625@end smallexample
3626
3627The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3628optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3629
3630@kindex info breakpoints
3631@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3632@item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3633@itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3634Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3635not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3636about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3637For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3638
3639@table @emph
3640@item Breakpoint Numbers
3641@item Type
3642Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3643@item Disposition
3644Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3645@item Enabled or Disabled
3646Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3647that are not enabled.
3648@item Address
3649Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3650pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3651contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3652library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3653See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3654have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3655@item What
3656Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3657line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3658the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3659the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3660@end table
3661
3662@noindent
3663If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3664``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3665@value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3666is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3667the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3668its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3669
3670Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3671allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3672validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3673breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3674
3675@noindent
3676@code{info break} with a breakpoint
3677number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3678convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3679the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3680listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3681
3682@noindent
3683@code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3684has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3685@code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3686hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3687was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3688will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3689
3690@noindent
3691For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3692@code{info break} also displays that count.
3693
3694@end table
3695
3696@value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3697your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3698the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3699(@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3700
3701@cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3702@cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3703It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3704in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3705
3706@itemize @bullet
3707@item
3708Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3709
3710@item
3711For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3712instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3713
3714@item
3715For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3716correspond to any number of instantiations.
3717
3718@item
3719For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3720several places where that function is inlined.
3721@end itemize
3722
3723In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3724the relevant locations.
3725
3726A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3727table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3728each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3729address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3730addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3731locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3732@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3733
3734For example:
3735
3736@smallexample
3737Num Type Disp Enb Address What
37381 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3739 stop only if i==1
3740 breakpoint already hit 1 time
37411.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
37421.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3743@end smallexample
3744
3745Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3746@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3747@code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3748delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3749entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3750the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3751the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3752the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3753that belong to that breakpoint.
3754
3755@cindex pending breakpoints
3756It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3757Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3758and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3759this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3760any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3761set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3762debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3763symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3764breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3765a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3766is not yet resolved.
3767
3768After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3769@value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3770shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3771pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3772ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3773that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3774
3775This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3776example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3777a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3778a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3779
3780Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3781differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3782enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3783
3784@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3785happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3786address specification to an address:
3787
3788@kindex set breakpoint pending
3789@kindex show breakpoint pending
3790@table @code
3791@item set breakpoint pending auto
3792This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3793location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3794
3795@item set breakpoint pending on
3796This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3797result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3798
3799@item set breakpoint pending off
3800This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3801unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3802not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3803
3804@item show breakpoint pending
3805Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3806@end table
3807
3808The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3809variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3810as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3811
3812@cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3813For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3814software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3815breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3816breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3817breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3818breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3819breakpoints.
3820
3821You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3822
3823@kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3824@kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3825@table @code
3826@item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3827This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3828will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3829breakpoint must be used.
3830
3831@item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3832This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3833type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3834trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3835@end table
3836
3837@value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3838at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3839executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3840code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3841the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3842behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3843target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3844targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3845This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3846
3847@kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3848@kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3849@table @code
3850@item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3851All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3852the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3853removed from the target when it stops.
3854
3855@item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3856Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3857the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3858breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3859removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3860
3861@cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3862@item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3863This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3864in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3865@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3866controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3867@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3868@end table
3869
3870@value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3871when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3872debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3873
3874If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3875download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3876
3877This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3878
3879@kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3880@kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3881@table @code
3882@item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3883This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3884conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3885the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3886for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3887
3888@item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3889This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3890to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3891is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3892breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3893is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3894cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3895that is only known to the host. Examples include
3896conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3897that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3898that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3899target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3900evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3901
3902@item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3903This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3904conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3905the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3906not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3907to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3908@end table
3909
3910
3911@cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3912@cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3913@value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3914special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3915programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3916starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3917You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3918@samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3919
3920
3921@node Set Watchpoints
3922@subsection Setting Watchpoints
3923
3924@cindex setting watchpoints
3925You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3926expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3927this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3928The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3929as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3930
3931@itemize @bullet
3932@item
3933A reference to the value of a single variable.
3934
3935@item
3936An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3937@samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3938address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3939
3940@item
3941An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3942expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3943language (@pxref{Languages}).
3944@end itemize
3945
3946You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3947not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3948@samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3949@value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3950the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3951valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3952pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3953@code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3954the expression changes.
3955
3956@cindex software watchpoints
3957@cindex hardware watchpoints
3958Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3959hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3960program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3961times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3962catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3963culprit.)
3964
3965On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3966x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3967watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3968
3969@table @code
3970@kindex watch
3971@item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3972Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3973expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3974changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3975to watch the value of a single variable:
3976
3977@smallexample
3978(@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3979@end smallexample
3980
3981If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3982argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3983@var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3984change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3985that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3986with Hardware Watchpoints.
3987
3988Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3989(see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3990instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3991@value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3992and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3993to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3994result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3995error.
3996
3997The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3998of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3999feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
4000Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
4001to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
4002(the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
4003the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
4004Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
4005addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
4006watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
4007Examples:
4008
4009@smallexample
4010(@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
4011(@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
4012@end smallexample
4013
4014@kindex rwatch
4015@item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4016Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
4017by the program.
4018
4019@kindex awatch
4020@item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
4021Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
4022or written into by the program.
4023
4024@kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4025@item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
4026This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
4027@code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
4028@end table
4029
4030If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
4031dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
4032never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
4033a never-changing value:
4034
4035@smallexample
4036(@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
4037Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
4038(@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
4039Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
4040@end smallexample
4041
4042@value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
4043watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
4044value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
4045cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
4046executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
4047@emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
4048
4049@cindex use only software watchpoints
4050You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
4051@kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
4052zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
4053the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
4054watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
4055@code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
4056mechanism of watching expression values.)
4057
4058@table @code
4059@item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4060@kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
4061Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
4062
4063@item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4064@kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
4065Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
4066@end table
4067
4068For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
4069watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
4070hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
4071
4072When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
4073
4074@smallexample
4075Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
4076@end smallexample
4077
4078@noindent
4079if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
4080
4081Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
4082hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
4083value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
4084every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
4085that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
4086hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
4087will print a message like this:
4088
4089@smallexample
4090Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
4091@end smallexample
4092
4093Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4094data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4095watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4096can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4097cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4098double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4099wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4100into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4101
4102If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4103to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4104Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4105time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4106able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4107warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4108
4109@smallexample
4110Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4111@end smallexample
4112
4113@noindent
4114If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4115
4116Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4117exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4118That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4119expression with separately allocated resources.
4120
4121If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4122any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4123kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4124
4125@value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4126(automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4127they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4128which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4129being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4130and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4131rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4132way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4133@code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4134
4135@cindex watchpoints and threads
4136@cindex threads and watchpoints
4137In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4138watched expression from every thread.
4139
4140@quotation
4141@emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4142have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4143watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4144single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4145change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4146confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4147software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4148when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4149watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4150@end quotation
4151
4152@xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4153
4154@node Set Catchpoints
4155@subsection Setting Catchpoints
4156@cindex catchpoints, setting
4157@cindex exception handlers
4158@cindex event handling
4159
4160You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4161kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4162shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4163
4164@table @code
4165@kindex catch
4166@item catch @var{event}
4167Stop when @var{event} occurs. The @var{event} can be any of the following:
4168
4169@table @code
4170@item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4171@itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4172@itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4173@kindex catch throw
4174@kindex catch rethrow
4175@kindex catch catch
4176@cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4177The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4178
4179If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4180regular expression will be caught.
4181
4182@vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4183The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4184exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4185exception being thrown.
4186
4187There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4188@value{GDBN}:
4189
4190@itemize @bullet
4191@item
4192The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4193systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4194supported.
4195
4196@item
4197The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4198variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4199If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4200These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4201or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4202built.
4203
4204@item
4205The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4206instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4207
4208@item
4209When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4210location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4211support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4212(@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4213
4214@item
4215If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4216control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4217raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4218returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4219simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4220that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4221you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4222disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4223controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4224
4225@item
4226You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4227
4228@item
4229You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4230@end itemize
4231
4232@item exception
4233@kindex catch exception
4234@cindex Ada exception catching
4235@cindex catch Ada exceptions
4236An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4237at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4238the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4239Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4240
4241When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4242name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4243fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4244@value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4245rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4246called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4247the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4248Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4249
4250@item exception unhandled
4251@kindex catch exception unhandled
4252An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4253
4254@item assert
4255@kindex catch assert
4256A failed Ada assertion.
4257
4258@item exec
4259@kindex catch exec
4260@cindex break on fork/exec
4261A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4262and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4263
4264@item syscall
4265@itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4266@kindex catch syscall
4267@cindex break on a system call.
4268A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4269syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4270from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4271@value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4272debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4273argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4274will be caught.
4275
4276@var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4277underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4278GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4279names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4280
4281@c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4282@c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4283@c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4284@c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4285
4286Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4287each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4288facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4289available choices.
4290
4291You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4292number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4293identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4294name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4295into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4296may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4297list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4298behind the OS upgrades).
4299
4300The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4301arguments to it:
4302
4303@smallexample
4304(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4305Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4306(@value{GDBP}) r
4307Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4308
4309Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4310 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4311(@value{GDBP}) c
4312Continuing.
4313
4314Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4315 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4316(@value{GDBP})
4317@end smallexample
4318
4319Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4320
4321@smallexample
4322(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4323Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4324(@value{GDBP}) r
4325Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4326
4327Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4328 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4329(@value{GDBP}) c
4330Continuing.
4331
4332Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4333 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4334(@value{GDBP})
4335@end smallexample
4336
4337An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4338below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4339file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4340
4341@smallexample
4342(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4343Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4344(@value{GDBP}) r
4345Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4346
4347Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4348 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4349(@value{GDBP}) c
4350Continuing.
4351
4352Program exited normally.
4353(@value{GDBP})
4354@end smallexample
4355
4356However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4357in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4358a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4359but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4360
4361@smallexample
4362(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4363warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4364Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4365(@value{GDBP})
4366@end smallexample
4367
4368If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4369it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4370architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4371you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4372notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4373name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4374
4375@smallexample
4376(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4377warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4378warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4379GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4380Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4381(@value{GDBP})
4382@end smallexample
4383
4384Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4385
4386Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4387number. In this case, you would see something like:
4388
4389@smallexample
4390(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4391Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4392@end smallexample
4393
4394Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4395
4396@item fork
4397@kindex catch fork
4398A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4399and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4400
4401@item vfork
4402@kindex catch vfork
4403A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4404and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4405
4406@item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4407@itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4408@kindex catch load
4409@kindex catch unload
4410The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4411given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4412matches one of the affected libraries.
4413
4414@item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4415@kindex catch signal
4416The delivery of a signal.
4417
4418With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4419used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4420@samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4421
4422With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4423@value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4424signal names.
4425
4426Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4427@code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4428will be caught.
4429
4430One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4431@code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4432catchpoint.
4433
4434When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4435@code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4436However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4437on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4438commands.
4439
4440@end table
4441
4442@item tcatch @var{event}
4443@kindex tcatch
4444Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4445automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4446
4447@end table
4448
4449Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4450
4451
4452@node Delete Breaks
4453@subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4454
4455@cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4456@cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4457It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4458catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4459to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4460breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4461
4462With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4463where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4464delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4465their breakpoint numbers.
4466
4467It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4468automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4469when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4470
4471@table @code
4472@kindex clear
4473@item clear
4474Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4475selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4476the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4477breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4478
4479@item clear @var{location}
4480Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4481@xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4482most useful ones are listed below:
4483
4484@table @code
4485@item clear @var{function}
4486@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4487Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4488
4489@item clear @var{linenum}
4490@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4491Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4492@var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4493@end table
4494
4495@cindex delete breakpoints
4496@kindex delete
4497@kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4498@item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4499Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4500ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4501breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4502confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4503@end table
4504
4505@node Disabling
4506@subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4507
4508@cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4509Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4510prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4511it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4512that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4513
4514You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4515the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4516one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4517print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4518do not know which numbers to use.
4519
4520Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4521affects all of its locations.
4522
4523A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4524different states of enablement:
4525
4526@itemize @bullet
4527@item
4528Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4529with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4530@item
4531Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4532@item
4533Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4534disabled.
4535@item
4536Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4537N times, then becomes disabled.
4538@item
4539Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4540immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4541set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4542@end itemize
4543
4544You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4545watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4546
4547@table @code
4548@kindex disable
4549@kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4550@item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4551Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4552listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4553options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4554case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4555@code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4556
4557@kindex enable
4558@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4559Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4560become effective once again in stopping your program.
4561
4562@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4563Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4564of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4565
4566@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4567Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4568@var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4569breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4570@value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4571count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4572decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4573
4574@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4575Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4576deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4577Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4578@end table
4579
4580@c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4581@c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4582Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4583,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4584subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4585the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4586breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4587breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4588Stepping}.)
4589
4590@node Conditions
4591@subsection Break Conditions
4592@cindex conditional breakpoints
4593@cindex breakpoint conditions
4594
4595@c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4596@c in particular for a watchpoint?
4597The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4598specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4599breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4600programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4601a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4602and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4603
4604This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4605situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4606when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4607by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4608@samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4609
4610Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4611since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4612it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4613and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4614one.
4615
4616Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4617your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4618that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4619format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4620unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4621that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4622program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4623breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4624conditions for the
4625purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4626(@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4627
4628Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4629the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4630@value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4631(@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4632independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4633locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4634
4635In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4636when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4637response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4638since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4639every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4640
4641Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4642@samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4643Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4644with the @code{condition} command.
4645
4646You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4647The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4648@code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4649catchpoint.
4650
4651@table @code
4652@kindex condition
4653@item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4654Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4655watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4656breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4657@var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4658@code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4659syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4660referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4661symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4662prints an error message:
4663
4664@smallexample
4665No symbol "foo" in current context.
4666@end smallexample
4667
4668@noindent
4669@value{GDBN} does
4670not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4671command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4672@code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4673
4674@item condition @var{bnum}
4675Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4676an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4677@end table
4678
4679@cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4680A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4681breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4682useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4683count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4684is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4685therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4686ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4687the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4688value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4689your program reaches it.
4690
4691@table @code
4692@kindex ignore
4693@item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4694Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4695The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4696execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4697takes no action.
4698
4699To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4700a count of zero.
4701
4702When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4703breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4704@code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4705Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4706
4707If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4708condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4709@value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4710
4711You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4712as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4713is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4714Variables}.
4715@end table
4716
4717Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4718
4719
4720@node Break Commands
4721@subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4722
4723@cindex breakpoint commands
4724You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4725commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4726example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4727enable other breakpoints.
4728
4729@table @code
4730@kindex commands
4731@kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4732@item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4733@itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4734@itemx end
4735Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4736themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4737@code{end} to terminate the commands.
4738
4739To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4740follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4741
4742With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4743watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4744encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4745command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4746set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4747@code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4748creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4749Expressions}).
4750@end table
4751
4752Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4753disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4754
4755You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4756use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4757that resumes execution.
4758
4759Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4760execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4761(even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4762another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4763ambiguities about which list to execute.
4764
4765@kindex silent
4766If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4767usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4768be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4769then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4770see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4771meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4772
4773The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4774print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4775breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4776
4777For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4778value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4779
4780@smallexample
4781break foo if x>0
4782commands
4783silent
4784printf "x is %d\n",x
4785cont
4786end
4787@end smallexample
4788
4789One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4790you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4791of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4792erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4793to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4794so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4795command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4796
4797@smallexample
4798break 403
4799commands
4800silent
4801set x = y + 4
4802cont
4803end
4804@end smallexample
4805
4806@node Dynamic Printf
4807@subsection Dynamic Printf
4808
4809@cindex dynamic printf
4810@cindex dprintf
4811The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4812formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4813inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4814having to recompile it.
4815
4816In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4817you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4818For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4819program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4820characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4821redirects to files and so forth.
4822
4823If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4824ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4825ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4826with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4827the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4828target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4829everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4830
4831@table @code
4832@kindex dprintf
4833@item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4834Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4835more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4836To print several values, separate them with commas.
4837
4838@item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4839Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4840styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4841dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4842print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4843explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4844
4845@item gdb
4846@kindex dprintf-style gdb
4847Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4848
4849@item call
4850@kindex dprintf-style call
4851Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4852@code{printf}).
4853
4854@item agent
4855@kindex dprintf-style agent
4856Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4857the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4858support running commands on the target.
4859
4860@item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4861Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4862default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4863that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4864command.
4865
4866@item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4867Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4868@value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4869a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4870@code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4871string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4872
4873As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4874that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4875you could do the following:
4876
4877@example
4878(gdb) set dprintf-style call
4879(gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4880(gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4881(gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4882Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4883(gdb) info break
48841 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4885 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4886 continue
4887(gdb)
4888@end example
4889
4890Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4891as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4892the variable settings.
4893
4894@item set disconnected-dprintf on
4895@itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4896@kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4897Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4898@value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4899if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4900
4901@item show disconnected-dprintf off
4902@kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4903Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4904
4905@end table
4906
4907@value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4908relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4909in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4910may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4911all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4912those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4913
4914@node Save Breakpoints
4915@subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4916
4917To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4918breakpoints}} command.
4919
4920@table @code
4921@kindex save breakpoints
4922@cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4923@item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4924This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4925their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4926suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4927types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4928tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4929@code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4930with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4931because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4932watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4933are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4934breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4935and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4936that can no longer be recreated.
4937@end table
4938
4939@node Static Probe Points
4940@subsection Static Probe Points
4941
4942@cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4943@value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4944for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4945runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4946usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4947@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4948for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4949
4950Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4951@acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4952@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4953for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4954in your applications.
4955
4956@cindex semaphores on static probe points
4957Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4958happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4959@file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4960automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4961@samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4962location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4963@value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4964
4965You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4966probes}, with optional arguments:
4967
4968@table @code
4969@kindex info probes
4970@item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4971If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4972names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4973probes from all providers are listed.
4974
4975If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4976when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4977considered when deciding whether to display them.
4978
4979If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4980object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4981given, all object files are considered.
4982
4983@item info probes all
4984List the available static probes, from all types.
4985@end table
4986
4987@vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4988A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4989point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4990at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4991convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4992@code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4993an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4994convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4995at the current probe point.
4996
4997These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4998any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4999an error message.
5000
5001
5002@c @ifclear BARETARGET
5003@node Error in Breakpoints
5004@subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
5005
5006If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
5007watchpoints, you will see this error message:
5008
5009@c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
5010@c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
5011@smallexample
5012Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
5013You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
5014@end smallexample
5015
5016@noindent
5017This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
5018only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
5019watchpoints it needs to insert.
5020
5021When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
5022hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
5023
5024@node Breakpoint-related Warnings
5025@subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
5026@cindex breakpoint address adjusted
5027
5028Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
5029which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
5030@value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
5031with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
5032
5033One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
5034a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
5035bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
5036constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
5037bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
5038honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
5039first in the bundle.
5040
5041It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
5042instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
5043a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
5044another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
5045breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
5046printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
5047is hit.
5048
5049A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
5050that's been subject to address adjustment:
5051
5052@smallexample
5053warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
5054@end smallexample
5055
5056Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
5057internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
5058verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
5059desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
5060other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
5061E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
5062instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
5063cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
5064
5065@value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
5066adjusted breakpoints:
5067
5068@smallexample
5069warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
5070to 0x00010410.
5071@end smallexample
5072
5073When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
5074action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
5075frequently than expected.
5076
5077@node Continuing and Stepping
5078@section Continuing and Stepping
5079
5080@cindex stepping
5081@cindex continuing
5082@cindex resuming execution
5083@dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
5084completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
5085one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
5086line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
5087particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
5088your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
5089it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
5090@samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
5091
5092@table @code
5093@kindex continue
5094@kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
5095@kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
5096@item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5097@itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5098@itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5099Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
5100any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
5101@var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
5102ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
5103@code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
5104
5105The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
5106stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5107@code{continue} is ignored.
5108
5109The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5110debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5111purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5112@code{continue}.
5113@end table
5114
5115To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5116(@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5117calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5118Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5119
5120A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5121(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5122beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5123is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5124and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5125interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5126
5127@table @code
5128@kindex step
5129@kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5130@item step
5131Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5132line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5133abbreviated @code{s}.
5134
5135@quotation
5136@c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5137@c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5138@c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5139@c distinction here.
5140@emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5141within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5142execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5143debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5144is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5145without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5146below.
5147@end quotation
5148
5149The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5150line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5151@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5152to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5153the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5154called within the line.
5155
5156Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5157number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5158@code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5159on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5160was any debugging information about the routine.
5161
5162@item step @var{count}
5163Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5164breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5165@var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5166
5167@kindex next
5168@kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5169@item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5170Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5171This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5172the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5173control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5174that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5175is abbreviated @code{n}.
5176
5177An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5178
5179
5180@c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5181@c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5182@c
5183@c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5184@c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5185@c function are executed without stopping.
5186
5187The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5188source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5189@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5190
5191@kindex set step-mode
5192@item set step-mode
5193@cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5194@cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5195@itemx set step-mode on
5196The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5197stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5198information rather than stepping over it.
5199
5200This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5201machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5202want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5203
5204@item set step-mode off
5205Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5206debug information. This is the default.
5207
5208@item show step-mode
5209Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5210source line debug information.
5211
5212@kindex finish
5213@kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5214@item finish
5215Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5216returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5217abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5218
5219Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5220,Returning from a Function}).
5221
5222@kindex until
5223@kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5224@cindex run until specified location
5225@item until
5226@itemx u
5227Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5228current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5229stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5230command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5231automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5232than the address of the jump.
5233
5234This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5235though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5236exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5237simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5238through the next iteration.
5239
5240@code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5241stack frame.
5242
5243@code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5244of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5245example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5246(@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5247@code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5248
5249@smallexample
5250(@value{GDBP}) f
5251#0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5252206 expand_input();
5253(@value{GDBP}) until
5254195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5255@end smallexample
5256
5257This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5258generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5259start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5260written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5261to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5262expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5263statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5264
5265@code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5266instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5267argument.
5268
5269@item until @var{location}
5270@itemx u @var{location}
5271Continue running your program until either the specified @var{location} is
5272reached, or the current stack frame returns. The location is any of
5273the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5274This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5275hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5276location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5277implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5278invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5279line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5280line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5281invocations have returned.
5282
5283@smallexample
528494 int factorial (int value)
528595 @{
528696 if (value > 1) @{
528797 value *= factorial (value - 1);
528898 @}
528999 return (value);
5290100 @}
5291@end smallexample
5292
5293
5294@kindex advance @var{location}
5295@item advance @var{location}
5296Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5297required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5298@ref{Specify Location}.
5299Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5300frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5301not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5302have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5303
5304
5305@kindex stepi
5306@kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5307@item stepi
5308@itemx stepi @var{arg}
5309@itemx si
5310Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5311
5312It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5313instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5314instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5315Display,, Automatic Display}.
5316
5317An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5318
5319@need 750
5320@kindex nexti
5321@kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5322@item nexti
5323@itemx nexti @var{arg}
5324@itemx ni
5325Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5326proceed until the function returns.
5327
5328An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5329
5330@end table
5331
5332@anchor{range stepping}
5333@cindex range stepping
5334@cindex target-assisted range stepping
5335By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5336target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5337use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5338tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5339addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5340line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5341be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5342possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5343remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5344stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5345enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5346if necessary:
5347
5348@table @code
5349@kindex set range-stepping
5350@kindex show range-stepping
5351@item set range-stepping
5352@itemx show range-stepping
5353Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5354
5355If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5356target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5357multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5358single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5359default is @code{on}.
5360
5361@end table
5362
5363@node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5364@section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5365@cindex skipping over functions and files
5366
5367The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5368uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5369skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5370
5371For example, consider the following C function:
5372
5373@smallexample
5374101 int func()
5375102 @{
5376103 foo(boring());
5377104 bar(boring());
5378105 @}
5379@end smallexample
5380
5381@noindent
5382Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5383are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5384at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5385step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5386
5387One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5388command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5389is called from many places.
5390
5391A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5392@value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5393@code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5394@code{foo}.
5395
5396You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5397example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5398
5399@table @code
5400@kindex skip function
5401@item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5402@itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5403After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5404function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5405stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5406
5407If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5408will be skipped.
5409
5410(If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5411@kbd{skip function file}.)
5412
5413@kindex skip file
5414@item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5415After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5416will be skipped over when stepping.
5417
5418If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5419you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5420@end table
5421
5422Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5423These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5424
5425@table @code
5426@kindex info skip
5427@item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5428Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5429print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5430@code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5431
5432@table @emph
5433@item Identifier
5434A number identifying this skip.
5435@item Type
5436The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5437@item Enabled or Disabled
5438Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5439@item Address
5440For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5441being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5442been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5443which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5444address here.
5445@item What
5446For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5447skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5448where it is defined.
5449@end table
5450
5451@kindex skip delete
5452@item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5453Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5454skips.
5455
5456@kindex skip enable
5457@item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5458Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5459skips.
5460
5461@kindex skip disable
5462@item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5463Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5464skips.
5465
5466@end table
5467
5468@node Signals
5469@section Signals
5470@cindex signals
5471
5472A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5473operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5474kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5475signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5476@code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5477memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5478the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5479requested an alarm).
5480
5481@cindex fatal signals
5482Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5483functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5484errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5485program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5486@code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5487fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5488
5489@value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5490program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5491signal.
5492
5493@cindex handling signals
5494Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5495@code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5496(so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5497but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5498You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5499
5500@table @code
5501@kindex info signals
5502@kindex info handle
5503@item info signals
5504@itemx info handle
5505Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5506handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5507the defined types of signals.
5508
5509@item info signals @var{sig}
5510Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5511
5512@code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5513
5514@item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5515Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5516for details about this command.
5517
5518@kindex handle
5519@item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5520Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal}
5521can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5522@samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5523@samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5524known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5525say what change to make.
5526@end table
5527
5528@c @group
5529The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5530Their full names are:
5531
5532@table @code
5533@item nostop
5534@value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5535still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5536
5537@item stop
5538@value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5539the @code{print} keyword as well.
5540
5541@item print
5542@value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5543
5544@item noprint
5545@value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5546implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5547
5548@item pass
5549@itemx noignore
5550@value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5551can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5552and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5553
5554@item nopass
5555@itemx ignore
5556@value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5557@code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5558@end table
5559@c @end group
5560
5561When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5562program until you
5563continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5564effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5565after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5566command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5567program sees that signal when you continue.
5568
5569The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5570non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5571@code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5572erroneous signals.
5573
5574You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5575seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5576or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5577due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5578values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5579execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5580a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5581you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5582Program a Signal}.
5583
5584@cindex extra signal information
5585@anchor{extra signal information}
5586
5587On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5588associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5589delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5590by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5591that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5592receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5593target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5594$_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5595standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5596system header.
5597
5598Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5599referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5600
5601@smallexample
5602@group
5603(@value{GDBP}) continue
5604Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
56050x0000000000400766 in main ()
560669 *(int *)p = 0;
5607(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5608type = struct @{
5609 int si_signo;
5610 int si_errno;
5611 int si_code;
5612 union @{
5613 int _pad[28];
5614 struct @{...@} _kill;
5615 struct @{...@} _timer;
5616 struct @{...@} _rt;
5617 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5618 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5619 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5620 @} _sifields;
5621@}
5622(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5623type = struct @{
5624 void *si_addr;
5625@}
5626(@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5627$1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5628@end group
5629@end smallexample
5630
5631Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5632
5633@node Thread Stops
5634@section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5635
5636@cindex stopped threads
5637@cindex threads, stopped
5638
5639@cindex continuing threads
5640@cindex threads, continuing
5641
5642@value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5643(@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5644are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5645debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5646when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5647or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5648@value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5649@dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5650you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5651
5652@menu
5653* All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5654* Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5655* Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5656* Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5657* Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5658* Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5659@end menu
5660
5661@node All-Stop Mode
5662@subsection All-Stop Mode
5663
5664@cindex all-stop mode
5665
5666In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5667@emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5668allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5669switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5670underfoot.
5671
5672Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5673executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5674like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5675
5676In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5677Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5678system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5679execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5680single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5681statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5682stops.
5683
5684You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5685continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5686thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5687first thread completes whatever you requested.
5688
5689@cindex automatic thread selection
5690@cindex switching threads automatically
5691@cindex threads, automatic switching
5692Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5693signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5694signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5695message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5696thread.
5697
5698On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5699locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5700
5701@table @code
5702@item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5703@cindex scheduler locking mode
5704@cindex lock scheduler
5705Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5706locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5707current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5708mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5709from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5710the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5711Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5712when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5713function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5714like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5715thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5716the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5717
5718@item show scheduler-locking
5719Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5720@end table
5721
5722@cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5723By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5724@code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5725threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5726is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5727@code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5728inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5729forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5730it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5731situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5732of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5733to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5734you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5735inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5736
5737@table @code
5738@kindex set schedule-multiple
5739@item set schedule-multiple
5740Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5741when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5742all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5743of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5744@code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5745or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5746
5747@item show schedule-multiple
5748Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5749multiple processes.
5750@end table
5751
5752@node Non-Stop Mode
5753@subsection Non-Stop Mode
5754
5755@cindex non-stop mode
5756
5757@c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5758@c with more details.
5759
5760For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5761mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5762the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5763minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5764where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5765respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5766
5767In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5768@emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5769threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5770execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5771only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5772in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5773ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5774one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5775one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5776independently and simultaneously.
5777
5778To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5779or attach to your program:
5780
5781@smallexample
5782# If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5783set pagination off
5784
5785# Finally, turn it on!
5786set non-stop on
5787@end smallexample
5788
5789You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5790
5791@table @code
5792@kindex set non-stop
5793@item set non-stop on
5794Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5795@item set non-stop off
5796Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5797@kindex show non-stop
5798@item show non-stop
5799Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5800@end table
5801
5802Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5803not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5804In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5805@value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5806not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5807since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5808non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5809default.
5810
5811In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5812by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5813To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5814
5815You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5816(@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5817while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5818The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5819always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5820
5821Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5822running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5823In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5824but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5825To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5826
5827Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5828
5829In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5830that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5831thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5832command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5833changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5834previously current thread.
5835
5836@node Background Execution
5837@subsection Background Execution
5838
5839@cindex foreground execution
5840@cindex background execution
5841@cindex asynchronous execution
5842@cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5843
5844@value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5845foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5846(asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5847the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5848another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5849a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5850
5851If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5852message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5853
5854To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5855the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5856just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5857are:
5858
5859@table @code
5860@kindex run&
5861@item run
5862@xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5863
5864@item attach
5865@kindex attach&
5866@xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5867
5868@item step
5869@kindex step&
5870@xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5871
5872@item stepi
5873@kindex stepi&
5874@xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5875
5876@item next
5877@kindex next&
5878@xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5879
5880@item nexti
5881@kindex nexti&
5882@xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5883
5884@item continue
5885@kindex continue&
5886@xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5887
5888@item finish
5889@kindex finish&
5890@xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5891
5892@item until
5893@kindex until&
5894@xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5895
5896@end table
5897
5898Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5899mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5900However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5901the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5902previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5903mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5904
5905You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5906using the @code{interrupt} command.
5907
5908@table @code
5909@kindex interrupt
5910@item interrupt
5911@itemx interrupt -a
5912
5913Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5914@code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5915only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5916use @code{interrupt -a}.
5917@end table
5918
5919@node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5920@subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5921
5922When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5923Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5924breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5925
5926@table @code
5927@cindex breakpoints and threads
5928@cindex thread breakpoints
5929@kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5930@item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5931@itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5932@var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5933writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5934specify some source line.
5935
5936Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5937to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5938particular thread reaches this breakpoint. The @var{threadno} specifier
5939is one of the numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown
5940in the first column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5941
5942If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5943breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5944program.
5945
5946You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5947well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5948after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5949
5950@smallexample
5951(@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5952@end smallexample
5953
5954@end table
5955
5956Thread-specific breakpoints are automatically deleted when
5957@value{GDBN} detects the corresponding thread is no longer in the
5958thread list. For example:
5959
5960@smallexample
5961(@value{GDBP}) c
5962Thread-specific breakpoint 3 deleted - thread 28 no longer in the thread list.
5963@end smallexample
5964
5965There are several ways for a thread to disappear, such as a regular
5966thread exit, but also when you detach from the process with the
5967@code{detach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
5968Process}), or if @value{GDBN} loses the remote connection
5969(@pxref{Remote Debugging}), etc. Note that with some targets,
5970@value{GDBN} is only able to detect a thread has exited when the user
5971explictly asks for the thread list with the @code{info threads}
5972command.
5973
5974@node Interrupted System Calls
5975@subsection Interrupted System Calls
5976
5977@cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5978@cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5979@cindex premature return from system calls
5980There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5981multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5982breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5983system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5984consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5985that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5986stop execution.
5987
5988To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5989each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5990style anyways.
5991
5992For example, do not write code like this:
5993
5994@smallexample
5995 sleep (10);
5996@end smallexample
5997
5998The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5999at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
6000
6001Instead, write this:
6002
6003@smallexample
6004 int unslept = 10;
6005 while (unslept > 0)
6006 unslept = sleep (unslept);
6007@end smallexample
6008
6009A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
6010conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
6011multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
6012@value{GDBN}.
6013
6014Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
6015monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
6016When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
6017prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
6018
6019@node Observer Mode
6020@subsection Observer Mode
6021
6022If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
6023without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
6024variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
6025whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
6026at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
6027
6028When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
6029be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
6030@code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
6031mode.
6032
6033Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
6034combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
6035@code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
6036then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
6037stream will still not be able to be placed.
6038
6039@table @code
6040
6041@kindex observer
6042@item set observer on
6043@itemx set observer off
6044When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
6045below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
6046non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
6047normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
6048
6049@item show observer
6050Show whether observer mode is on or off.
6051
6052@kindex may-write-registers
6053@item set may-write-registers on
6054@itemx set may-write-registers off
6055This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
6056registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
6057@code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
6058
6059@item show may-write-registers
6060Show the current permission to write registers.
6061
6062@kindex may-write-memory
6063@item set may-write-memory on
6064@itemx set may-write-memory off
6065This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
6066of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
6067defaults to @code{on}.
6068
6069@item show may-write-memory
6070Show the current permission to write memory.
6071
6072@kindex may-insert-breakpoints
6073@item set may-insert-breakpoints on
6074@itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
6075This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
6076This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
6077by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6078
6079@item show may-insert-breakpoints
6080Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
6081
6082@kindex may-insert-tracepoints
6083@item set may-insert-tracepoints on
6084@itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
6085This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
6086tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6087non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
6088@code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6089
6090@item show may-insert-tracepoints
6091Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
6092
6093@kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6094@item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
6095@itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
6096This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
6097tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
6098fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
6099control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6100
6101@item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
6102Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
6103
6104@kindex may-interrupt
6105@item set may-interrupt on
6106@itemx set may-interrupt off
6107This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6108program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6109@code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6110@kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6111
6112@item show may-interrupt
6113Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6114
6115@end table
6116
6117@node Reverse Execution
6118@chapter Running programs backward
6119@cindex reverse execution
6120@cindex running programs backward
6121
6122When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6123you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6124If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6125``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6126
6127A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6128to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6129program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6130revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6131deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6132all target environments can support reverse execution.
6133
6134When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6135have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6136order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6137thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6138the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6139instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6140a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6141should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6142prior values@footnote{
6143Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6144memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6145targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6146
6147The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6148requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6149@value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6150results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6151@value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6152assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6153consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6154}.
6155
6156If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6157reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6158
6159@table @code
6160@kindex reverse-continue
6161@kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6162@item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6163@itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6164Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6165in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6166exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6167asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6168
6169@kindex reverse-step
6170@kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6171@item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6172Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6173different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6174
6175Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6176at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6177executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6178debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6179the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6180statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6181
6182Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6183called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6184
6185@kindex reverse-stepi
6186@kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6187@item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6188Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6189to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6190counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6191if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6192back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6193
6194@kindex reverse-next
6195@kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6196@item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6197Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6198the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6199calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6200the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6201to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6202just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6203line of a function back to its return to its caller
6204@footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6205
6206@kindex reverse-nexti
6207@kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6208@item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6209Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6210in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6211That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6212another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6213in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6214frame) is reached.
6215
6216@kindex reverse-finish
6217@item reverse-finish
6218Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6219current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6220where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6221function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6222
6223@kindex set exec-direction
6224@item set exec-direction
6225Set the direction of target execution.
6226@item set exec-direction reverse
6227@cindex execute forward or backward in time
6228@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6229exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6230@code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6231command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6232@item set exec-direction forward
6233@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6234This is the default.
6235@end table
6236
6237
6238@node Process Record and Replay
6239@chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6240@cindex process record and replay
6241@cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6242
6243On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6244and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6245replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6246
6247@cindex replay mode
6248When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6249for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6250mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6251instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6252code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6253really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6254program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6255changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6256execution log.
6257
6258@cindex record mode
6259If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6260@value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6261inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6262for future replay.
6263
6264The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6265(@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6266inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6267this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6268log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6269support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6270
6271When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6272replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6273previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6274platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6275
6276For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6277@value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6278
6279@table @code
6280@kindex target record
6281@kindex target record-full
6282@kindex target record-btrace
6283@kindex record
6284@kindex record full
6285@kindex record btrace
6286@kindex rec
6287@kindex rec full
6288@kindex rec btrace
6289@item record @var{method}
6290This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6291recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6292the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6293recording methods are available:
6294
6295@table @code
6296@item full
6297Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6298replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6299execution.
6300
6301@item btrace
6302Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not record
6303data. Further, the data is collected in a ring buffer so old data will
6304be overwritten when the buffer is full. It allows limited replay and
6305reverse execution.
6306
6307This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6308@end table
6309
6310The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6311already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6312the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6313with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6314
6315Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6316aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6317
6318@cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6319Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6320will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6321is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6322doesn't support displaced stepping.
6323
6324@cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6325@cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6326If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6327the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6328all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6329does not support these two modes.
6330
6331@kindex record stop
6332@kindex rec s
6333@item record stop
6334Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6335replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6336inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6337
6338When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6339the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6340next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6341you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6342will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6343
6344On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6345while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6346but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6347at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6348usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6349
6350When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6351process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6352
6353@kindex record goto
6354@item record goto
6355Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6356ways to specify the location to go to:
6357
6358@table @code
6359@item record goto begin
6360@itemx record goto start
6361Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6362
6363@item record goto end
6364Go to the end of the execution log.
6365
6366@item record goto @var{n}
6367Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6368@end table
6369
6370@kindex record save
6371@item record save @var{filename}
6372Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6373Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6374@var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6375
6376This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6377
6378@kindex record restore
6379@item record restore @var{filename}
6380Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6381File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6382
6383@kindex set record full
6384@item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6385@itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6386Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6387recording method. Default value is 200000.
6388
6389If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6390deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6391instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6392instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6393instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6394(Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6395lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6396the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6397
6398If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6399delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6400recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6401
6402@kindex show record full
6403@item show record full insn-number-max
6404Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6405recording method.
6406
6407@item set record full stop-at-limit
6408Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6409number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6410default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6411first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6412continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6413to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6414oldest one to be deleted.
6415
6416If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6417oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6418
6419@item show record full stop-at-limit
6420Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6421
6422@item set record full memory-query
6423Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6424changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6425If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6426case.
6427
6428If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6429ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6430@value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6431instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6432results.
6433
6434@item show record full memory-query
6435Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6436
6437@kindex set record btrace
6438The @code{btrace} record target does not trace data. As a
6439convenience, when replaying, @value{GDBN} reads read-only memory off
6440the live program directly, assuming that the addresses of the
6441read-only areas don't change. This for example makes it possible to
6442disassemble code while replaying, but not to print variables.
6443In some cases, being able to inspect variables might be useful.
6444You can use the following command for that:
6445
6446@item set record btrace replay-memory-access
6447Control the behavior of the @code{btrace} recording method when
6448accessing memory during replay. If @code{read-only} (the default),
6449@value{GDBN} will only allow accesses to read-only memory.
6450If @code{read-write}, @value{GDBN} will allow accesses to read-only
6451and to read-write memory. Beware that the accessed memory corresponds
6452to the live target and not necessarily to the current replay
6453position.
6454
6455@kindex show record btrace
6456@item show record btrace replay-memory-access
6457Show the current setting of @code{replay-memory-access}.
6458
6459@kindex info record
6460@item info record
6461Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6462method:
6463
6464@table @code
6465@item full
6466For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6467record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6468
6469@itemize @bullet
6470@item
6471Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6472@item
6473Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6474@item
6475Highest recorded instruction number.
6476@item
6477Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6478@item
6479Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6480@item
6481Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6482@end itemize
6483
6484@item btrace
6485For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6486instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6487sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6488@end table
6489
6490@kindex record delete
6491@kindex rec del
6492@item record delete
6493When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6494subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6495from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6496recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6497
6498@kindex record instruction-history
6499@kindex rec instruction-history
6500@item record instruction-history
6501Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6502default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6503the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6504are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6505what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6506
6507@table @code
6508@item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6509Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6510@var{insn}.
6511
6512@item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6513Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6514@var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6515@var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6516@var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6517instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6518
6519@item record instruction-history
6520Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6521
6522@item record instruction-history -
6523Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6524
6525@item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6526Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6527@var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6528number @var{end} is included.
6529@end table
6530
6531This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6532
6533@kindex set record
6534@item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6535@itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6536Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6537instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6538A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6539
6540@kindex show record
6541@item show record instruction-history-size
6542Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6543instruction-history} command.
6544
6545@kindex record function-call-history
6546@kindex rec function-call-history
6547@item record function-call-history
6548Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6549line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6550function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6551for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6552specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6553the @code{/i} modifier is specified). The function names are indented
6554to reflect the call stack depth if the @code{/c} modifier is
6555specified. The @code{/l}, @code{/i}, and @code{/c} modifiers can be
6556given together.
6557
6558@smallexample
6559(@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
65601 void foo (void)
65612 @{
65623 @}
65634
65645 void bar (void)
65656 @{
65667 ...
65678 foo ();
65689 ...
656910 @}
6570(@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /ilc}
65711 bar inst 1,4 at foo.c:6,8
65722 foo inst 5,10 at foo.c:2,3
65733 bar inst 11,13 at foo.c:9,10
6574@end smallexample
6575
6576By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6577@code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6578printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6579to print:
6580
6581@table @code
6582@item record function-call-history @var{func}
6583Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6584
6585@item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6586Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6587@var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6588function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6589prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6590
6591@item record function-call-history
6592Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6593
6594@item record function-call-history -
6595Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6596
6597@item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6598Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6599function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is included.
6600@end table
6601
6602This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6603
6604@item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6605@itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6606Define how many lines to print in the
6607@code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6608A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6609
6610@item show record function-call-history-size
6611Show how many lines to print in the
6612@code{record function-call-history} command.
6613@end table
6614
6615
6616@node Stack
6617@chapter Examining the Stack
6618
6619When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6620stopped and how it got there.
6621
6622@cindex call stack
6623Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6624is generated.
6625That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6626the arguments of the call,
6627and the local variables of the function being called.
6628The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6629The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6630stack}.
6631
6632When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6633stack allow you to see all of this information.
6634
6635@cindex selected frame
6636One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6637@value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6638particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6639your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6640special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6641interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6642
6643When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6644currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6645@code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6646
6647@menu
6648* Frames:: Stack frames
6649* Backtrace:: Backtraces
6650* Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6651* Selection:: Selecting a frame
6652* Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6653
6654@end menu
6655
6656@node Frames
6657@section Stack Frames
6658
6659@cindex frame, definition
6660@cindex stack frame
6661The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6662frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6663with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6664to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6665which the function is executing.
6666
6667@cindex initial frame
6668@cindex outermost frame
6669@cindex innermost frame
6670When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6671function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6672@dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6673made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6674is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6675the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6676actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6677recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6678
6679@cindex frame pointer
6680Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6681stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6682kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6683address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6684in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6685(@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6686
6687@cindex frame number
6688@value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6689zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6690and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6691they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6692frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6693
6694@c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6695@c underflow problems.
6696@cindex frameless execution
6697Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6698without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6699@smallexample
6700@samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6701@end smallexample
6702generates functions without a frame.)
6703This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6704the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6705with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6706has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6707it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6708correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6709no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6710
6711@table @code
6712@kindex frame@r{, command}
6713@cindex current stack frame
6714@item frame @r{[}@var{framespec}@r{]}
6715The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6716and to print the stack frame you select. The @var{framespec} may be either the
6717address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6718@code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6719
6720@kindex select-frame
6721@cindex selecting frame silently
6722@item select-frame
6723The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6724to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6725@code{frame}.
6726@end table
6727
6728@node Backtrace
6729@section Backtraces
6730
6731@cindex traceback
6732@cindex call stack traces
6733A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6734line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6735frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6736stack.
6737
6738@anchor{backtrace-command}
6739@table @code
6740@kindex backtrace
6741@kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6742@item backtrace
6743@itemx bt
6744Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6745frames in the stack.
6746
6747You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6748character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6749
6750@item backtrace @var{n}
6751@itemx bt @var{n}
6752Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6753
6754@item backtrace -@var{n}
6755@itemx bt -@var{n}
6756Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6757
6758@item backtrace full
6759@itemx bt full
6760@itemx bt full @var{n}
6761@itemx bt full -@var{n}
6762Print the values of the local variables also. As described above,
6763@var{n} specifies the number of frames to print.
6764
6765@item backtrace no-filters
6766@itemx bt no-filters
6767@itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
6768@itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
6769@itemx bt no-filters full
6770@itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
6771@itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
6772Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
6773Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
6774frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
6775relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
6776support.
6777@end table
6778
6779@kindex where
6780@kindex info stack
6781The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6782are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6783
6784@cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6785In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6786backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6787several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6788(@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6789apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6790the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6791multi-threaded program.
6792
6793Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6794The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6795print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6796line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6797counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6798line number.
6799
6800Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6801@samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6802
6803@smallexample
6804@group
6805#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6806 at builtin.c:993
6807#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6808#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6809 at macro.c:71
6810(More stack frames follow...)
6811@end group
6812@end smallexample
6813
6814@noindent
6815The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6816value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6817code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6818
6819@noindent
6820The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6821@code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6822only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6823@kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6824on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6825
6826@cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6827@cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6828If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6829optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6830never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6831passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6832in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6833arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6834such a backtrace might look like:
6835
6836@smallexample
6837@group
6838#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6839 at builtin.c:993
6840#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6841#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6842 at macro.c:71
6843(More stack frames follow...)
6844@end group
6845@end smallexample
6846
6847@noindent
6848The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6849shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6850
6851If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6852either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6853you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6854
6855@cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6856@cindex program entry point
6857@cindex startup code, and backtrace
6858Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6859libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6860@code{main}@footnote{
6861Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6862environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6863entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6864When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6865it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6866system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6867
6868If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6869in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6870
6871@table @code
6872@item set backtrace past-main
6873@itemx set backtrace past-main on
6874@kindex set backtrace
6875Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6876
6877@item set backtrace past-main off
6878Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6879default.
6880
6881@item show backtrace past-main
6882@kindex show backtrace
6883Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6884
6885@item set backtrace past-entry
6886@itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6887Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6888This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6889and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6890
6891@item set backtrace past-entry off
6892Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6893application. This is the default.
6894
6895@item show backtrace past-entry
6896Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6897
6898@item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6899@itemx set backtrace limit 0
6900@itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6901@cindex backtrace limit
6902Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6903or zero means unlimited levels.
6904
6905@item show backtrace limit
6906Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6907@end table
6908
6909You can control how file names are displayed.
6910
6911@table @code
6912@item set filename-display
6913@itemx set filename-display relative
6914@cindex filename-display
6915Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6916
6917@item set filename-display basename
6918Display only basename of a filename.
6919
6920@item set filename-display absolute
6921Display an absolute filename.
6922
6923@item show filename-display
6924Show the current way to display filenames.
6925@end table
6926
6927@node Frame Filter Management
6928@section Management of Frame Filters.
6929@cindex managing frame filters
6930
6931Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
6932output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
6933
6934Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
6935within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
6936
6937@table @code
6938@kindex info frame-filter
6939@item info frame-filter
6940Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
6941their name, priority and enabled status.
6942
6943@kindex disable frame-filter
6944@anchor{disable frame-filter all}
6945@item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6946Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6947@var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
6948@var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6949@code{progspace}, or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6950dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
6951across all dictionaries are disabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name
6952of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6953@var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
6954may be enabled again later.
6955
6956@kindex enable frame-filter
6957@item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6958Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6959@var{filter-dictionary} and @var{filter-name}. The
6960@var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6961@code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6962dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
6963all dictionaries are enabled. The @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
6964filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6965@var{filter-dictionary}.
6966
6967Example:
6968
6969@smallexample
6970(gdb) info frame-filter
6971
6972global frame-filters:
6973 Priority Enabled Name
6974 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6975 100 Yes Reverse
6976
6977progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6978 Priority Enabled Name
6979 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6980
6981objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6982 Priority Enabled Name
6983 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
6984
6985(gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
6986(gdb) info frame-filter
6987
6988global frame-filters:
6989 Priority Enabled Name
6990 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6991 100 Yes Reverse
6992
6993progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6994 Priority Enabled Name
6995 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6996
6997objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6998 Priority Enabled Name
6999 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7000
7001(gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
7002(gdb) info frame-filter
7003
7004global frame-filters:
7005 Priority Enabled Name
7006 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7007 100 Yes Reverse
7008
7009progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7010 Priority Enabled Name
7011 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7012
7013objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7014 Priority Enabled Name
7015 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7016@end smallexample
7017
7018@kindex set frame-filter priority
7019@item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
7020Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7021@var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7022@var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7023@code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7024dictionary resides. The @var{priority} is an integer.
7025
7026@kindex show frame-filter priority
7027@item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
7028Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
7029@var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
7030@var{filter-name}. The @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
7031@code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
7032dictionary resides.
7033
7034Example:
7035
7036@smallexample
7037(gdb) info frame-filter
7038
7039global frame-filters:
7040 Priority Enabled Name
7041 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7042 100 Yes Reverse
7043
7044progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7045 Priority Enabled Name
7046 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7047
7048objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7049 Priority Enabled Name
7050 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7051
7052(gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
7053(gdb) info frame-filter
7054
7055global frame-filters:
7056 Priority Enabled Name
7057 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
7058 50 Yes Reverse
7059
7060progspace /build/test frame-filters:
7061 Priority Enabled Name
7062 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
7063
7064objfile /build/test frame-filters:
7065 Priority Enabled Name
7066 999 No BuildProgramFilter
7067@end smallexample
7068@end table
7069
7070@node Selection
7071@section Selecting a Frame
7072
7073Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
7074whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
7075selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
7076of the stack frame just selected.
7077
7078@table @code
7079@kindex frame@r{, selecting}
7080@kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
7081@item frame @var{n}
7082@itemx f @var{n}
7083Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
7084(currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
7085innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
7086@code{main}.
7087
7088@item frame @var{addr}
7089@itemx f @var{addr}
7090Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
7091chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
7092impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
7093addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
7094switches between them.
7095
7096On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
7097select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
7098
7099On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
7100pointer and a program counter.
7101
7102On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
7103pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
7104
7105@kindex up
7106@item up @var{n}
7107Move @var{n} frames up the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For positive
7108numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the outermost frame, to higher
7109frame numbers, to frames that have existed longer.
7110
7111@kindex down
7112@kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
7113@item down @var{n}
7114Move @var{n} frames down the stack; @var{n} defaults to 1. For
7115positive numbers @var{n}, this advances toward the innermost frame, to
7116lower frame numbers, to frames that were created more recently.
7117You may abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
7118@end table
7119
7120All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
7121frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
7122arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
7123frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
7124
7125@need 1000
7126For example:
7127
7128@smallexample
7129@group
7130(@value{GDBP}) up
7131#1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
7132 at env.c:10
713310 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7134@end group
7135@end smallexample
7136
7137After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7138prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7139You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7140editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7141@xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7142for details.
7143
7144@table @code
7145@kindex down-silently
7146@kindex up-silently
7147@item up-silently @var{n}
7148@itemx down-silently @var{n}
7149These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7150respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7151causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7152in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7153distracting.
7154@end table
7155
7156@node Frame Info
7157@section Information About a Frame
7158
7159There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7160stack frame.
7161
7162@table @code
7163@item frame
7164@itemx f
7165When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7166frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7167selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7168argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7169@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7170
7171@kindex info frame
7172@kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7173@item info frame
7174@itemx info f
7175This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7176including:
7177
7178@itemize @bullet
7179@item
7180the address of the frame
7181@item
7182the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7183@item
7184the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7185@item
7186the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7187@item
7188the address of the frame's arguments
7189@item
7190the address of the frame's local variables
7191@item
7192the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7193@item
7194which registers were saved in the frame
7195@end itemize
7196
7197@noindent The verbose description is useful when
7198something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7199the usual conventions.
7200
7201@item info frame @var{addr}
7202@itemx info f @var{addr}
7203Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7204selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7205command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7206architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7207@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7208
7209@kindex info args
7210@item info args
7211Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7212
7213@item info locals
7214@kindex info locals
7215Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7216line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7217accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7218
7219@end table
7220
7221
7222@node Source
7223@chapter Examining Source Files
7224
7225@value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7226information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7227used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7228the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7229(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7230execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7231source files by explicit command.
7232
7233If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7234prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7235@value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7236
7237@menu
7238* List:: Printing source lines
7239* Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7240* Edit:: Editing source files
7241* Search:: Searching source files
7242* Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7243* Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7244@end menu
7245
7246@node List
7247@section Printing Source Lines
7248
7249@kindex list
7250@kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7251To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7252(abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7253There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7254print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7255
7256Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7257
7258@table @code
7259@item list @var{linenum}
7260Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7261current source file.
7262
7263@item list @var{function}
7264Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7265@var{function}.
7266
7267@item list
7268Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7269@code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7270printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7271as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7272Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7273
7274@item list -
7275Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7276@end table
7277
7278@cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7279By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7280the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7281
7282@table @code
7283@kindex set listsize
7284@item set listsize @var{count}
7285@itemx set listsize unlimited
7286Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7287the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7288Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7289
7290@kindex show listsize
7291@item show listsize
7292Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7293@end table
7294
7295Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7296so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7297than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7298argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7299each repetition moves up in the source file.
7300
7301In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7302@dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
7303of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7304to specify some source line.
7305
7306Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7307
7308@table @code
7309@item list @var{linespec}
7310Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
7311
7312@item list @var{first},@var{last}
7313Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7314linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
7315source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
7316the same source file as the first linespec.
7317
7318@item list ,@var{last}
7319Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7320
7321@item list @var{first},
7322Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7323
7324@item list +
7325Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7326
7327@item list -
7328Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7329
7330@item list
7331As described in the preceding table.
7332@end table
7333
7334@node Specify Location
7335@section Specifying a Location
7336@cindex specifying location
7337@cindex linespec
7338
7339Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7340of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7341debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7342for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7343
7344Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7345@value{GDBN} understands:
7346
7347@table @code
7348@item @var{linenum}
7349Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7350
7351@item -@var{offset}
7352@itemx +@var{offset}
7353Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7354line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7355printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7356execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7357(@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7358used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7359this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7360linespec.
7361
7362@item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7363Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7364If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7365source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7366@var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7367name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7368@file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7369
7370@item @var{function}
7371Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7372For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7373
7374@item @var{function}:@var{label}
7375Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7376
7377@item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7378Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7379in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7380function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7381functions in different source files.
7382
7383@item @var{label}
7384Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7385@value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7386the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7387stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7388@value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7389
7390@item *@var{address}
7391Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7392commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7393line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7394breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7395parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7396source files.
7397
7398Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7399language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7400address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7401semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7402that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7403of @var{address}:
7404
7405@table @code
7406@item @var{expression}
7407Any expression valid in the current working language.
7408
7409@item @var{funcaddr}
7410An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7411C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7412simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7413of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7414@code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7415(although the Pascal form also works).
7416
7417This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7418before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7419
7420@item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7421Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7422file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7423specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7424functions with identical names in different source files.
7425@end table
7426
7427@cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7428@item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7429The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7430applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7431information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7432specifies the location of such a static probe.
7433
7434If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7435or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7436If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7437If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7438each one of those probes.
7439
7440@end table
7441
7442
7443@node Edit
7444@section Editing Source Files
7445@cindex editing source files
7446
7447@kindex edit
7448@kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7449To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7450The editing program of your choice
7451is invoked with the current line set to
7452the active line in the program.
7453Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7454want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7455
7456@table @code
7457@item edit @var{location}
7458Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7459that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7460specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7461of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7462command most commonly used:
7463
7464@table @code
7465@item edit @var{number}
7466Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7467
7468@item edit @var{function}
7469Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7470@end table
7471
7472@end table
7473
7474@subsection Choosing your Editor
7475You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7476@footnote{
7477The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7478following command-line syntax:
7479@smallexample
7480ex +@var{number} file
7481@end smallexample
7482The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7483the file where to start editing.}.
7484By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7485by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7486@value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7487@code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7488@smallexample
7489EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7490export EDITOR
7491gdb @dots{}
7492@end smallexample
7493or in the @code{csh} shell,
7494@smallexample
7495setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7496gdb @dots{}
7497@end smallexample
7498
7499@node Search
7500@section Searching Source Files
7501@cindex searching source files
7502
7503There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7504regular expression.
7505
7506@table @code
7507@kindex search
7508@kindex forward-search
7509@kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7510@item forward-search @var{regexp}
7511@itemx search @var{regexp}
7512The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7513starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7514@var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7515synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7516@code{fo}.
7517
7518@kindex reverse-search
7519@item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7520The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7521with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7522for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7523this command as @code{rev}.
7524@end table
7525
7526@node Source Path
7527@section Specifying Source Directories
7528
7529@cindex source path
7530@cindex directories for source files
7531Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7532files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7533the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7534session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7535this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7536it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7537in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7538
7539For example, suppose an executable references the file
7540@file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7541@file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7542fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7543fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7544message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7545source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7546Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7547the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7548@file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7549@file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7550
7551Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7552names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7553instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7554is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7555@file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7556that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7557
7558Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7559source files.
7560
7561Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7562any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7563each line is in the file.
7564
7565@kindex directory
7566@kindex dir
7567When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7568and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7569To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7570
7571The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7572script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7573
7574In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7575that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7576rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7577debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7578directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7579two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7580the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7581In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7582@var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7583of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7584source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7585name to look up the sources.
7586
7587Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7588moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7589@value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7590@file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7591@file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7592of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7593substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7594(@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7595
7596To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7597@var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7598For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7599@file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7600not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7601is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7602not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7603
7604In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7605command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7606the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7607subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7608subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7609preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7610allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7611command.
7612
7613@code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7614The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7615longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7616the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7617for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7618located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7619method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7620
7621@cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7622@cindex default source path substitution
7623You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7624configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7625@samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7626should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7627prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7628directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7629automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7630location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7631with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7632together.
7633
7634@table @code
7635@item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7636@item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7637Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7638directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7639(@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7640part of absolute file names) or
7641whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7642path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7643
7644@kindex cdir
7645@kindex cwd
7646@vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7647@vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7648@cindex compilation directory
7649@cindex current directory
7650@cindex working directory
7651@cindex directory, current
7652@cindex directory, compilation
7653You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7654directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7655working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7656tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7657session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7658directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7659
7660@item directory
7661Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7662
7663@c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7664@c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7665
7666@item set directories @var{path-list}
7667@kindex set directories
7668Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7669@samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7670
7671@item show directories
7672@kindex show directories
7673Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7674
7675@anchor{set substitute-path}
7676@item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7677@kindex set substitute-path
7678Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7679current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7680@var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7681
7682For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7683@file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7684
7685@smallexample
7686(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7687@end smallexample
7688
7689@noindent
7690will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7691@samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7692@file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7693
7694In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7695the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7696defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7697the substitution.
7698
7699For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7700
7701@smallexample
7702(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7703(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7704@end smallexample
7705
7706@noindent
7707@value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7708@file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7709use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7710@file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7711
7712
7713@item unset substitute-path [path]
7714@kindex unset substitute-path
7715If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7716for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7717A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7718
7719If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7720
7721@item show substitute-path [path]
7722@kindex show substitute-path
7723If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7724which would rewrite that path, if any.
7725
7726If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7727rules.
7728
7729@end table
7730
7731If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7732interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7733versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7734
7735@enumerate
7736@item
7737Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7738
7739@item
7740Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7741directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7742directories in one command.
7743@end enumerate
7744
7745@node Machine Code
7746@section Source and Machine Code
7747@cindex source line and its code address
7748
7749You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7750addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7751a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7752@code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7753source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7754mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7755line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7756well as hex.
7757
7758@table @code
7759@kindex info line
7760@item info line @var{linespec}
7761Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7762source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7763the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7764@end table
7765
7766For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7767the object code for the first line of function
7768@code{m4_changequote}:
7769
7770@c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7771@c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7772@smallexample
7773(@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7774Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7775@end smallexample
7776
7777@noindent
7778@cindex code address and its source line
7779We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7780@var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7781@smallexample
7782(@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7783Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7784@end smallexample
7785
7786@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7787@cindex @code{x} command, default address
7788@kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7789After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7790is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7791sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7792,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7793convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7794Variables}).
7795
7796@table @code
7797@kindex disassemble
7798@cindex assembly instructions
7799@cindex instructions, assembly
7800@cindex machine instructions
7801@cindex listing machine instructions
7802@item disassemble
7803@itemx disassemble /m
7804@itemx disassemble /r
7805This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7806instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7807the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7808in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7809The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7810program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7811command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7812surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7813be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7814arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7815
7816@table @code
7817@item @var{start},@var{end}
7818the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7819@item @var{start},+@var{length}
7820the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7821@code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7822@end table
7823
7824@noindent
7825When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7826printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7827
7828The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7829@samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7830
7831If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7832the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7833@end table
7834
7835The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7836HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7837
7838@smallexample
7839(@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7840Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7841 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7842 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7843 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7844 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7845 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7846 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7847 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7848 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7849End of assembler dump.
7850@end smallexample
7851
7852Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7853program is stopped just after function prologue:
7854
7855@smallexample
7856(@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7857Dump of assembler code for function main:
78585 @{
7859 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7860 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7861 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7862 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7863 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7864
78656 printf ("Hello.\n");
7866=> 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7867 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7868
78697 return 0;
78708 @}
7871 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7872 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7873 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7874
7875End of assembler dump.
7876@end smallexample
7877
7878Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7879
7880@smallexample
7881(gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7882Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7883 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7884 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7885 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7886 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7887End of assembler dump.
7888@end smallexample
7889
7890Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7891So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7892in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7893and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7894
7895Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7896mnemonics or other syntax.
7897
7898For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7899instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7900libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7901location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7902might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7903
7904@table @code
7905@kindex set disassembly-flavor
7906@cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7907@cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7908@item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7909Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7910program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7911
7912Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7913can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7914The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7915assemblers for x86-based targets.
7916
7917@kindex show disassembly-flavor
7918@item show disassembly-flavor
7919Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7920@end table
7921
7922@table @code
7923@kindex set disassemble-next-line
7924@kindex show disassemble-next-line
7925@item set disassemble-next-line
7926@itemx show disassemble-next-line
7927Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7928line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7929display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7930program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7931displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7932possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7933(e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7934info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7935next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7936AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7937if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7938@value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7939with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7940OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7941instruction.
7942@end table
7943
7944
7945@node Data
7946@chapter Examining Data
7947
7948@cindex printing data
7949@cindex examining data
7950@kindex print
7951@kindex inspect
7952The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7953command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7954evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7955program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7956Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7957Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7958
7959@table @code
7960@item print @var{expr}
7961@itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7962@var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7963value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7964you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7965@var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7966Formats}.
7967
7968@item print
7969@itemx print /@var{f}
7970@cindex reprint the last value
7971If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7972@dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7973conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7974@end table
7975
7976A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7977It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7978specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7979
7980If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7981fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7982command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7983Table}.
7984
7985@cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7986@kindex explore
7987Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7988through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7989the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7990offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7991abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7992itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7993embedded in the higher level data types.
7994
7995@table @code
7996@item explore @var{arg}
7997@var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7998visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7999@end table
8000
8001The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
8002example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
8003C program as
8004
8005@smallexample
8006struct SimpleStruct
8007@{
8008 int i;
8009 double d;
8010@};
8011
8012struct ComplexStruct
8013@{
8014 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
8015 int arr[10];
8016@};
8017@end smallexample
8018
8019@noindent
8020followed by variable declarations as
8021
8022@smallexample
8023struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
8024struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
8025@end smallexample
8026
8027@noindent
8028then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
8029@code{explore} command as follows.
8030
8031@smallexample
8032(gdb) explore cs
8033The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
8034the following fields:
8035
8036 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
8037 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
8038
8039Enter the field number of choice:
8040@end smallexample
8041
8042@noindent
8043Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
8044prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
8045the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
8046pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
8047the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
8048value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
8049be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
8050field will be explored as if it were an array.
8051
8052@smallexample
8053`cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
8054Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
8055The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
8056SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
8057
8058 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
8059 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
8060
8061Press enter to return to parent value:
8062@end smallexample
8063
8064@noindent
8065If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
8066entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
8067prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
8068to explore.
8069
8070@smallexample
8071`cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
8072Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
8073
8074`(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
8075
8076(cs.arr)[5] = 4
8077
8078Press enter to return to parent value:
8079@end smallexample
8080
8081In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
8082leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
8083return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
8084level data structure).
8085
8086Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
8087explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
8088variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
8089program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
8090same example as above, your can explore the type
8091@code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
8092@code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
8093
8094@smallexample
8095(gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
8096@end smallexample
8097
8098@noindent
8099By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
8100session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
8101manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
8102example.
8103
8104The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
8105@code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
8106a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
8107being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
8108exploration of the argument is being invoked.
8109
8110@table @code
8111@item explore value @var{expr}
8112@cindex explore value
8113This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
8114expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
8115current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
8116command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
8117command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
8118
8119@item explore type @var{arg}
8120@cindex explore type
8121This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
8122@var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
8123debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
8124is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
8125debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
8126identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
8127argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
8128this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
8129being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
8130@end table
8131
8132@menu
8133* Expressions:: Expressions
8134* Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
8135* Variables:: Program variables
8136* Arrays:: Artificial arrays
8137* Output Formats:: Output formats
8138* Memory:: Examining memory
8139* Auto Display:: Automatic display
8140* Print Settings:: Print settings
8141* Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
8142* Value History:: Value history
8143* Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
8144* Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
8145* Registers:: Registers
8146* Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
8147* Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
8148* OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
8149* Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
8150* Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
8151* Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
8152* Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
8153 character set than GDB does
8154* Caching Target Data:: Data caching for targets
8155* Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
8156@end menu
8157
8158@node Expressions
8159@section Expressions
8160
8161@cindex expressions
8162@code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
8163compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
8164by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
8165@value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
8166casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
8167you compiled your program to include this information; see
8168@ref{Compilation}.
8169
8170@cindex arrays in expressions
8171@value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
8172the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
8173you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
8174of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
8175to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
8176is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
8177
8178Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
8179this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
8180Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8181languages.
8182
8183In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8184expressions regardless of your programming language.
8185
8186@cindex casts, in expressions
8187Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8188useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8189at that address in memory.
8190@c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8191
8192@value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8193to programming languages:
8194
8195@table @code
8196@item @@
8197@samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8198@xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8199
8200@item ::
8201@samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8202function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8203
8204@cindex @{@var{type}@}
8205@cindex type casting memory
8206@cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8207@cindex casts, to view memory
8208@item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8209Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8210memory. The address @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is
8211an integer or pointer (but parentheses are required around binary
8212operators, just as in a cast). This construct is allowed regardless
8213of what kind of data is normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8214@end table
8215
8216@node Ambiguous Expressions
8217@section Ambiguous Expressions
8218@cindex ambiguous expressions
8219
8220Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8221some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8222a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8223different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8224involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8225templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8226the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8227
8228In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8229the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8230can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8231@kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8232qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8233as well.
8234
8235When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8236has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8237possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8238The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8239aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8240used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8241menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8242choices.
8243
8244For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8245breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8246We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8247
8248@c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8249@smallexample
8250@group
8251(@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8252[0] cancel
8253[1] all
8254[2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8255[3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8256[4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8257[5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8258[6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8259[7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8260> 2 4 6
8261Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8262Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8263Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8264Multiple breakpoints were set.
8265Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8266 breakpoints.
8267(@value{GDBP})
8268@end group
8269@end smallexample
8270
8271@table @code
8272@kindex set multiple-symbols
8273@item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8274@cindex multiple-symbols menu
8275
8276This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8277is ambiguous.
8278
8279By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8280the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8281automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8282a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8283inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8284then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8285For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8286in the use of the menu.
8287
8288When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8289when an ambiguity is detected.
8290
8291Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8292an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8293
8294@kindex show multiple-symbols
8295@item show multiple-symbols
8296Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8297@end table
8298
8299@node Variables
8300@section Program Variables
8301
8302The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8303in your program.
8304
8305Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8306(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8307
8308@itemize @bullet
8309@item
8310global (or file-static)
8311@end itemize
8312
8313@noindent or
8314
8315@itemize @bullet
8316@item
8317visible according to the scope rules of the
8318programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8319@end itemize
8320
8321@noindent This means that in the function
8322
8323@smallexample
8324foo (a)
8325 int a;
8326@{
8327 bar (a);
8328 @{
8329 int b = test ();
8330 bar (b);
8331 @}
8332@}
8333@end smallexample
8334
8335@noindent
8336you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8337executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8338examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8339the block where @code{b} is declared.
8340
8341@cindex variable name conflict
8342There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8343scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8344in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8345function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8346happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8347you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8348using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8349
8350@cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8351@ifnotinfo
8352@c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8353@cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8354@end ifnotinfo
8355@smallexample
8356@var{file}::@var{variable}
8357@var{function}::@var{variable}
8358@end smallexample
8359
8360@noindent
8361Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8362static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8363make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8364to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8365
8366@smallexample
8367(@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8368@end smallexample
8369
8370The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8371static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8372in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8373simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8374to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8375
8376@smallexample
8377void
8378foo (int a)
8379@{
8380 if (a < 10)
8381 bar (a);
8382 else
8383 process (a); /* Stop here */
8384@}
8385
8386int
8387bar (int a)
8388@{
8389 foo (a + 5);
8390@}
8391@end smallexample
8392
8393@noindent
8394For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8395here is what you might see
8396when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8397
8398@smallexample
8399(@value{GDBP}) p a
8400$1 = 10
8401(@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8402$2 = 5
8403(@value{GDBP}) up 2
8404#2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8405(@value{GDBP}) p a
8406$3 = 5
8407(@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8408$4 = 0
8409@end smallexample
8410
8411@cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8412These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very
8413similar use of the same notation in C@t{++}. When they are in
8414conflict, the C@t{++} meaning takes precedence; however, this can be
8415overridden by quoting the file or function name with single quotes.
8416
8417For example, suppose the program is stopped in a method of a class
8418that has a field named @code{includefile}, and there is also an
8419include file named @file{includefile} that defines a variable,
8420@code{some_global}.
8421
8422@smallexample
8423(@value{GDBP}) p includefile
8424$1 = 23
8425(@value{GDBP}) p includefile::some_global
8426A syntax error in expression, near `'.
8427(@value{GDBP}) p 'includefile'::some_global
8428$2 = 27
8429@end smallexample
8430
8431@cindex wrong values
8432@cindex variable values, wrong
8433@cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8434@cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8435@quotation
8436@emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8437wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8438scope, and just before exit.
8439@end quotation
8440You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8441This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8442set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8443stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8444values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8445also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8446after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8447variable definitions may be gone.
8448
8449This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8450To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8451when compiling.
8452
8453@cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8454Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8455unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8456opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8457offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8458might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8459happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8460
8461@smallexample
8462No symbol "foo" in current context.
8463@end smallexample
8464
8465To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8466different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8467formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8468options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8469info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8470
8471If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8472@value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8473by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8474type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8475
8476If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8477value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8478error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8479Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8480to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8481
8482@smallexample
8483Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
848429 i++;
8485(gdb) next
848630 e (i);
8487(gdb) print i
8488$1 = 31
8489(gdb) print i@@entry
8490$2 = 30
8491@end smallexample
8492
8493Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8494signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8495printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8496@code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8497defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8498For program code
8499
8500@smallexample
8501char var0[] = "A";
8502signed char var1[] = "A";
8503@end smallexample
8504
8505You get during debugging
8506@smallexample
8507(gdb) print var0
8508$1 = "A"
8509(gdb) print var1
8510$2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8511@end smallexample
8512
8513@node Arrays
8514@section Artificial Arrays
8515
8516@cindex artificial array
8517@cindex arrays
8518@kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8519It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8520same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8521dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8522program.
8523
8524You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8525@dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8526operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8527and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8528of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8529the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8530argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8531following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8532example. If a program says
8533
8534@smallexample
8535int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8536@end smallexample
8537
8538@noindent
8539you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8540
8541@smallexample
8542p *array@@len
8543@end smallexample
8544
8545The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8546with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8547subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8548Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8549(@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8550
8551Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8552This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8553The value need not be in memory:
8554@smallexample
8555(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8556$1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8557@end smallexample
8558
8559As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8560@samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8561the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8562@smallexample
8563(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8564$2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8565@end smallexample
8566
8567Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8568moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8569actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8570of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8571to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8572Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8573interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8574instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8575structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8576in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8577
8578@smallexample
8579set $i = 0
8580p dtab[$i++]->fv
8581@key{RET}
8582@key{RET}
8583@dots{}
8584@end smallexample
8585
8586@node Output Formats
8587@section Output Formats
8588
8589@cindex formatted output
8590@cindex output formats
8591By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8592this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8593in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8594at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8595these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8596
8597The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8598already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8599@code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8600letters supported are:
8601
8602@table @code
8603@item x
8604Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8605hexadecimal.
8606
8607@item d
8608Print as integer in signed decimal.
8609
8610@item u
8611Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8612
8613@item o
8614Print as integer in octal.
8615
8616@item t
8617Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8618@footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8619used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8620see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8621
8622@item a
8623@cindex unknown address, locating
8624@cindex locate address
8625Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8626the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8627where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8628
8629@smallexample
8630(@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8631$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8632@end smallexample
8633
8634@noindent
8635The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8636@xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8637
8638@item c
8639Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8640prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8641character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8642for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8643
8644Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8645@w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8646constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8647data.
8648
8649@item f
8650Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8651using typical floating point syntax.
8652
8653@item s
8654@cindex printing strings
8655@cindex printing byte arrays
8656Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8657data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8658are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8659natural types.
8660
8661Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8662@code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8663strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8664array.
8665
8666@item z
8667Like @samp{x} formatting, the value is treated as an integer and
8668printed as hexadecimal, but leading zeros are printed to pad the value
8669to the size of the integer type.
8670
8671@item r
8672@cindex raw printing
8673Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8674use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8675Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8676value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8677pretty-printer which might exist.
8678@end table
8679
8680For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8681
8682@smallexample
8683p/x $pc
8684@end smallexample
8685
8686@noindent
8687Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8688names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8689
8690To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8691you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8692expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8693
8694@node Memory
8695@section Examining Memory
8696
8697You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8698any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8699
8700@cindex examining memory
8701@table @code
8702@kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8703@item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8704@itemx x @var{addr}
8705@itemx x
8706Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8707@end table
8708
8709@var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8710much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8711expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8712If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8713Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8714
8715@table @r
8716@item @var{n}, the repeat count
8717The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8718how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8719@c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8720@c 4.1.2.
8721
8722@item @var{f}, the display format
8723The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8724(@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8725@samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8726The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8727each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8728
8729@item @var{u}, the unit size
8730The unit size is any of
8731
8732@table @code
8733@item b
8734Bytes.
8735@item h
8736Halfwords (two bytes).
8737@item w
8738Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8739@item g
8740Giant words (eight bytes).
8741@end table
8742
8743Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8744default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8745the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8746the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8747Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
874832-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8749Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8750current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8751modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8752UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8753be altered.
8754
8755@item @var{addr}, starting display address
8756@var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8757memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8758it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8759@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8760@var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8761other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8762the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8763starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8764a value from memory).
8765@end table
8766
8767For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8768(@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8769starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8770words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8771@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8772
8773Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8774letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8775unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8776specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8777(However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8778
8779Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8780and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8781@samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8782including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8783the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8784slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8785follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8786@code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8787instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8788
8789All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8790easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8791you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8792instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8793with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8794the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8795for successive uses of @code{x}.
8796
8797When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8798counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8799
8800@smallexample
8801(@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8802 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8803 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8804 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8805=> 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8806 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8807@end smallexample
8808
8809@cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8810The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8811in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8812would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8813subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8814@code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8815examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8816@code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8817the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8818
8819If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8820are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8821address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8822
8823@cindex remote memory comparison
8824@cindex target memory comparison
8825@cindex verify remote memory image
8826@cindex verify target memory image
8827When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8828(@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image
8829in the remote machine's memory against the executable file you
8830downloaded to the target. Or, on any target, you may want to check
8831whether the program has corrupted its own read-only sections. The
8832@code{compare-sections} command is provided for such situations.
8833
8834@table @code
8835@kindex compare-sections
8836@item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{|}@code{-r}@r{]}
8837Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8838executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8839the target machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8840arguments, compares all loadable sections. With an argument of
8841@code{-r}, compares all loadable read-only sections.
8842
8843Note: for remote targets, this command can be accelerated if the
8844target supports computing the CRC checksum of a block of memory
8845(@pxref{qCRC packet}).
8846@end table
8847
8848@node Auto Display
8849@section Automatic Display
8850@cindex automatic display
8851@cindex display of expressions
8852
8853If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8854(to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8855display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8856Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8857to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8858The automatic display looks like this:
8859
8860@smallexample
88612: foo = 38
88623: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8863@end smallexample
8864
8865@noindent
8866This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8867displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8868specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8869whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8870specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8871or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8872
8873@table @code
8874@kindex display
8875@item display @var{expr}
8876Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8877each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8878
8879@code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8880
8881@item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8882For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8883count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8884arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8885@xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8886
8887@item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8888For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8889number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8890be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8891doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8892@end table
8893
8894For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8895instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8896is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8897
8898@table @code
8899@kindex delete display
8900@kindex undisplay
8901@item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8902@itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8903Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8904numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8905argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8906numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8907or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8908
8909@code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8910(Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8911
8912@kindex disable display
8913@item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8914Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8915item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8916enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8917want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8918single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8919the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8920numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8921
8922@kindex enable display
8923@item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8924Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8925again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8926Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8927command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8928of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8929display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8930
8931@item display
8932Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8933done when your program stops.
8934
8935@kindex info display
8936@item info display
8937Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8938automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8939values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8940It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8941because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8942@end table
8943
8944@cindex display disabled out of scope
8945If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8946sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8947expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8948variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8949@code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8950@code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8951continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8952there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8953automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8954is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8955
8956@node Print Settings
8957@section Print Settings
8958
8959@cindex format options
8960@cindex print settings
8961@value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8962and symbols are printed.
8963
8964@noindent
8965These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8966
8967@table @code
8968@kindex set print
8969@item set print address
8970@itemx set print address on
8971@cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8972@value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8973traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8974even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8975is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8976@code{set print address on}:
8977
8978@smallexample
8979@group
8980(@value{GDBP}) f
8981#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8982 at input.c:530
8983530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8984@end group
8985@end smallexample
8986
8987@item set print address off
8988Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8989this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8990
8991@smallexample
8992@group
8993(@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8994(@value{GDBP}) f
8995#0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8996530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8997@end group
8998@end smallexample
8999
9000You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
9001dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
9002@code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
9003all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
9004
9005@kindex show print
9006@item show print address
9007Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
9008@end table
9009
9010When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
9011closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
9012identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
9013source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
9014@code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
9015you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
9016it prints a symbolic address:
9017
9018@table @code
9019@item set print symbol-filename on
9020@cindex source file and line of a symbol
9021@cindex symbol, source file and line
9022Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
9023symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9024
9025@item set print symbol-filename off
9026Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
9027default.
9028
9029@item show print symbol-filename
9030Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
9031line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
9032@end table
9033
9034Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
9035numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
9036number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
9037
9038Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
9039printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
9040
9041@table @code
9042@item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
9043@itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
9044@cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
9045Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
9046offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
9047@var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
9048to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
9049it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
9050
9051@item show print max-symbolic-offset
9052Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
9053symbolic address.
9054@end table
9055
9056@cindex wild pointer, interpreting
9057@cindex pointer, finding referent
9058If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
9059@samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
9060and source file location of the variable where it points, using
9061@samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
9062For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
9063at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
9064
9065@smallexample
9066(@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
9067(@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
9068$4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
9069@end smallexample
9070
9071@quotation
9072@emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
9073does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
9074the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
9075@end quotation
9076
9077You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
9078@samp{set print symbol on}:
9079
9080@table @code
9081@item set print symbol on
9082Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
9083one exists.
9084
9085@item set print symbol off
9086Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
9087address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
9088corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
9089
9090@item show print symbol
9091Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
9092address.
9093@end table
9094
9095Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
9096
9097@table @code
9098@item set print array
9099@itemx set print array on
9100@cindex pretty print arrays
9101Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
9102but uses more space. The default is off.
9103
9104@item set print array off
9105Return to compressed format for arrays.
9106
9107@item show print array
9108Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
9109arrays.
9110
9111@cindex print array indexes
9112@item set print array-indexes
9113@itemx set print array-indexes on
9114Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
9115convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
9116index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
9117
9118@item set print array-indexes off
9119Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
9120
9121@item show print array-indexes
9122Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
9123arrays.
9124
9125@item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
9126@itemx set print elements unlimited
9127@cindex number of array elements to print
9128@cindex limit on number of printed array elements
9129Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
9130If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
9131printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
9132This limit also applies to the display of strings.
9133When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
9134Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
9135that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
9136
9137@item show print elements
9138Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
9139If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
9140
9141@item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
9142@kindex set print frame-arguments
9143@cindex printing frame argument values
9144@cindex print all frame argument values
9145@cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
9146@cindex do not print frame argument values
9147This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
9148when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
9149values are:
9150
9151@table @code
9152@item all
9153The values of all arguments are printed.
9154
9155@item scalars
9156Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
9157complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
9158by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
9159only scalar arguments are shown:
9160
9161@smallexample
9162#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
9163 at frame-args.c:23
9164@end smallexample
9165
9166@item none
9167None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
9168is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
9169
9170@smallexample
9171#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
9172 at frame-args.c:23
9173@end smallexample
9174@end table
9175
9176By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
9177to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
9178of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
9179of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
9180information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
9181Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
9182the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
9183especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
9184to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
9185thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
9186
9187@item show print frame-arguments
9188Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
9189
9190@item set print raw frame-arguments on
9191Print frame arguments in raw, non pretty-printed, form.
9192
9193@item set print raw frame-arguments off
9194Print frame arguments in pretty-printed form, if there is a pretty-printer
9195for the value (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
9196otherwise print the value in raw form.
9197This is the default.
9198
9199@item show print raw frame-arguments
9200Show whether to print frame arguments in raw form.
9201
9202@anchor{set print entry-values}
9203@item set print entry-values @var{value}
9204@kindex set print entry-values
9205Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
9206@value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
9207the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
9208and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
9209unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
9210
9211The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
9212@value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
9213this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
9214@code{no} setting.
9215
9216This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9217the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9218@value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9219this information.
9220
9221The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9222
9223@table @code
9224@item no
9225Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9226point.
9227@smallexample
9228#0 equal (val=5)
9229#0 different (val=6)
9230#0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9231#0 born (val=10)
9232#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9233@end smallexample
9234
9235@item only
9236Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9237values are never printed.
9238@smallexample
9239#0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9240#0 different (val@@entry=5)
9241#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9242#0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9243#0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9244@end smallexample
9245
9246@item preferred
9247Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9248entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9249value for such parameter.
9250@smallexample
9251#0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9252#0 different (val@@entry=5)
9253#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9254#0 born (val=10)
9255#0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9256@end smallexample
9257
9258@item if-needed
9259Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9260value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9261parameter.
9262@smallexample
9263#0 equal (val=5)
9264#0 different (val=6)
9265#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9266#0 born (val=10)
9267#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9268@end smallexample
9269
9270@item both
9271Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9272point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9273optimizations.
9274@smallexample
9275#0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9276#0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9277#0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9278#0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9279#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9280@end smallexample
9281
9282@item compact
9283Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9284function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9285value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9286values are known and identical, print the shortened
9287@code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9288@smallexample
9289#0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9290#0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9291#0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9292#0 born (val=10)
9293#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9294@end smallexample
9295
9296@item default
9297Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9298entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9299if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9300@code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9301@smallexample
9302#0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9303#0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9304#0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9305#0 born (val=10)
9306#0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9307@end smallexample
9308@end table
9309
9310For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9311entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9312
9313@item show print entry-values
9314Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9315entry.
9316
9317@item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9318@itemx set print repeats unlimited
9319@cindex repeated array elements
9320Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9321elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9322array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9323@code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9324identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9325themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9326cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9327is 10.
9328
9329@item show print repeats
9330Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9331elements.
9332
9333@item set print null-stop
9334@cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9335Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9336@sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9337contain only short strings.
9338The default is off.
9339
9340@item show print null-stop
9341Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9342@sc{null} character.
9343
9344@item set print pretty on
9345@cindex print structures in indented form
9346@cindex indentation in structure display
9347Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9348per line, like this:
9349
9350@smallexample
9351@group
9352$1 = @{
9353 next = 0x0,
9354 flags = @{
9355 sweet = 1,
9356 sour = 1
9357 @},
9358 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9359@}
9360@end group
9361@end smallexample
9362
9363@item set print pretty off
9364Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9365
9366@smallexample
9367@group
9368$1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9369meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9370@end group
9371@end smallexample
9372
9373@noindent
9374This is the default format.
9375
9376@item show print pretty
9377Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9378
9379@item set print sevenbit-strings on
9380@cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9381@cindex octal escapes in strings
9382Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9383@value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9384character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9385best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9386high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9387
9388@item set print sevenbit-strings off
9389Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9390international character sets, and is the default.
9391
9392@item show print sevenbit-strings
9393Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9394
9395@item set print union on
9396@cindex unions in structures, printing
9397Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9398and other unions. This is the default setting.
9399
9400@item set print union off
9401Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9402structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9403instead.
9404
9405@item show print union
9406Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9407structures and other unions.
9408
9409For example, given the declarations
9410
9411@smallexample
9412typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9413typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9414typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9415 Bug_forms;
9416
9417struct thing @{
9418 Species it;
9419 union @{
9420 Tree_forms tree;
9421 Bug_forms bug;
9422 @} form;
9423@};
9424
9425struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9426@end smallexample
9427
9428@noindent
9429with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9430
9431@smallexample
9432$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9433@end smallexample
9434
9435@noindent
9436and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9437
9438@smallexample
9439$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9440@end smallexample
9441
9442@noindent
9443@code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9444and in Pascal.
9445@end table
9446
9447@need 1000
9448@noindent
9449These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9450
9451@table @code
9452@cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9453@item set print demangle
9454@itemx set print demangle on
9455Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9456(``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9457linkage. The default is on.
9458
9459@item show print demangle
9460Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9461
9462@item set print asm-demangle
9463@itemx set print asm-demangle on
9464Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9465in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9466The default is off.
9467
9468@item show print asm-demangle
9469Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9470or demangled form.
9471
9472@cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9473@cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9474@kindex set demangle-style
9475@item set demangle-style @var{style}
9476Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9477represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9478
9479@table @code
9480@item auto
9481Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9482This is the default.
9483
9484@item gnu
9485Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9486
9487@item hp
9488Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9489
9490@item lucid
9491Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9492
9493@item arm
9494Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9495@strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9496debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9497require further enhancement to permit that.
9498
9499@end table
9500If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9501
9502@item show demangle-style
9503Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9504
9505@item set print object
9506@itemx set print object on
9507@cindex derived type of an object, printing
9508@cindex display derived types
9509When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9510(derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9511the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9512required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9513type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9514type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9515working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9516
9517@item set print object off
9518Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9519virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9520
9521@item show print object
9522Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9523
9524@item set print static-members
9525@itemx set print static-members on
9526@cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9527Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9528
9529@item set print static-members off
9530Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9531
9532@item show print static-members
9533Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9534
9535@item set print pascal_static-members
9536@itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9537@cindex static members of Pascal objects
9538@cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9539Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9540
9541@item set print pascal_static-members off
9542Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9543
9544@item show print pascal_static-members
9545Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9546
9547@c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9548@item set print vtbl
9549@itemx set print vtbl on
9550@cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9551@cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9552@cindex VTBL display
9553Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9554(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9555ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9556
9557@item set print vtbl off
9558Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9559
9560@item show print vtbl
9561Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9562@end table
9563
9564@node Pretty Printing
9565@section Pretty Printing
9566
9567@value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9568Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9569mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9570
9571@menu
9572* Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9573* Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9574* Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9575@end menu
9576
9577@node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9578@subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9579
9580When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9581registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9582pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9583
9584Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9585The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9586pretty-printers with their names.
9587If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9588@dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9589Each such subprinter has its own name.
9590The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9591
9592Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9593Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9594debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9595do anything special.
9596
9597There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9598
9599@itemize @bullet
9600@item
9601Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9602all inferiors.
9603
9604@item
9605Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9606when debugging that program.
9607@xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9608
9609@item
9610Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9611with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9612@xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9613@end itemize
9614
9615@xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9616pretty-printers are selected,
9617
9618@xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9619for new types.
9620
9621@node Pretty-Printer Example
9622@subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9623
9624Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9625
9626@smallexample
9627(@value{GDBP}) print s
9628$1 = @{
9629 static npos = 4294967295,
9630 _M_dataplus = @{
9631 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9632 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9633 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9634 @},
9635 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9636 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9637 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9638 @}
9639@}
9640@end smallexample
9641
9642With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9643
9644@smallexample
9645(@value{GDBP}) print s
9646$2 = "abcd"
9647@end smallexample
9648
9649@node Pretty-Printer Commands
9650@subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9651@cindex pretty-printer commands
9652
9653@table @code
9654@kindex info pretty-printer
9655@item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9656Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9657This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9658
9659@var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9660whose pretty-printers to list.
9661Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9662(@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9663and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9664@xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9665looks up a printer from these three objects.
9666
9667@var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9668to list.
9669
9670@kindex disable pretty-printer
9671@item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9672Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9673A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9674
9675@kindex enable pretty-printer
9676@item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9677Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9678@end table
9679
9680Example:
9681
9682Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9683named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9684another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9685@code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9686
9687@smallexample
9688(gdb) info pretty-printer
9689library1.so:
9690 foo
9691library2.so:
9692 bar
9693 bar1
9694 bar2
9695(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9696library2.so:
9697 bar
9698 bar1
9699 bar2
9700(gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
97011 printer disabled
97022 of 3 printers enabled
9703(gdb) info pretty-printer
9704library1.so:
9705 foo [disabled]
9706library2.so:
9707 bar
9708 bar1
9709 bar2
9710(gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
97111 printer disabled
97121 of 3 printers enabled
9713(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9714library1.so:
9715 foo [disabled]
9716library2.so:
9717 bar
9718 bar1 [disabled]
9719 bar2
9720(gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
97211 printer disabled
97220 of 3 printers enabled
9723(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9724library1.so:
9725 foo [disabled]
9726library2.so:
9727 bar [disabled]
9728 bar1 [disabled]
9729 bar2
9730@end smallexample
9731
9732Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9733as can each individual subprinter.
9734
9735@node Value History
9736@section Value History
9737
9738@cindex value history
9739@cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9740Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9741@dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9742Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9743(for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9744When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9745since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9746symbol table.
9747
9748@cindex @code{$}
9749@cindex @code{$$}
9750@cindex history number
9751The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9752refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9753@code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9754printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9755history number.
9756
9757To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9758history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9759remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9760the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9761@code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9762is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9763@code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9764
9765For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9766want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9767
9768@smallexample
9769p *$
9770@end smallexample
9771
9772If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9773to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9774
9775@smallexample
9776p *$.next
9777@end smallexample
9778
9779@noindent
9780You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9781command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9782
9783Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9784@code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9785
9786@smallexample
9787print x
9788set x=5
9789@end smallexample
9790
9791@noindent
9792then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9793remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9794
9795@table @code
9796@kindex show values
9797@item show values
9798Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9799This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9800values} does not change the history.
9801
9802@item show values @var{n}
9803Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9804
9805@item show values +
9806Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9807values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9808@end table
9809
9810Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9811same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9812
9813@node Convenience Vars
9814@section Convenience Variables
9815
9816@cindex convenience variables
9817@cindex user-defined variables
9818@value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9819@value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9820exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9821setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9822of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9823
9824Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9825@samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9826the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9827(Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9828by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9829
9830You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9831expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9832For example:
9833
9834@smallexample
9835set $foo = *object_ptr
9836@end smallexample
9837
9838@noindent
9839would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9840@code{object_ptr}.
9841
9842Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9843value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9844value with another assignment at any time.
9845
9846Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9847variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9848that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9849variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9850
9851@table @code
9852@kindex show convenience
9853@cindex show all user variables and functions
9854@item show convenience
9855Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9856as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9857Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9858
9859@kindex init-if-undefined
9860@cindex convenience variables, initializing
9861@item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9862Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9863for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9864to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9865convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9866override default values used in a command script.
9867
9868If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9869any side-effects do not occur.
9870@end table
9871
9872One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9873incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9874a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9875
9876@smallexample
9877set $i = 0
9878print bar[$i++]->contents
9879@end smallexample
9880
9881@noindent
9882Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9883
9884Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9885values likely to be useful.
9886
9887@table @code
9888@vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9889@item $_
9890The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9891the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9892commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9893set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9894and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9895except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9896to the type of @code{$__}.
9897
9898@vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9899@item $__
9900The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9901to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9902to match the format in which the data was printed.
9903
9904@item $_exitcode
9905@vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9906When the program being debugged terminates normally, @value{GDBN}
9907automatically sets this variable to the exit code of the program, and
9908resets @code{$_exitsignal} to @code{void}.
9909
9910@item $_exitsignal
9911@vindex $_exitsignal@r{, convenience variable}
9912When the program being debugged dies due to an uncaught signal,
9913@value{GDBN} automatically sets this variable to that signal's number,
9914and resets @code{$_exitcode} to @code{void}.
9915
9916To distinguish between whether the program being debugged has exited
9917(i.e., @code{$_exitcode} is not @code{void}) or signalled (i.e.,
9918@code{$_exitsignal} is not @code{void}), the convenience function
9919@code{$_isvoid} can be used (@pxref{Convenience Funs,, Convenience
9920Functions}). For example, considering the following source code:
9921
9922@smallexample
9923#include <signal.h>
9924
9925int
9926main (int argc, char *argv[])
9927@{
9928 raise (SIGALRM);
9929 return 0;
9930@}
9931@end smallexample
9932
9933A valid way of telling whether the program being debugged has exited
9934or signalled would be:
9935
9936@smallexample
9937(@value{GDBP}) define has_exited_or_signalled
9938Type commands for definition of ``has_exited_or_signalled''.
9939End with a line saying just ``end''.
9940>if $_isvoid ($_exitsignal)
9941 >echo The program has exited\n
9942 >else
9943 >echo The program has signalled\n
9944 >end
9945>end
9946(@value{GDBP}) run
9947Starting program:
9948
9949Program terminated with signal SIGALRM, Alarm clock.
9950The program no longer exists.
9951(@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
9952The program has signalled
9953@end smallexample
9954
9955As can be seen, @value{GDBN} correctly informs that the program being
9956debugged has signalled, since it calls @code{raise} and raises a
9957@code{SIGALRM} signal. If the program being debugged had not called
9958@code{raise}, then @value{GDBN} would report a normal exit:
9959
9960@smallexample
9961(@value{GDBP}) has_exited_or_signalled
9962The program has exited
9963@end smallexample
9964
9965@item $_exception
9966The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
9967thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
9968
9969@item $_probe_argc
9970@itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9971Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9972
9973@item $_sdata
9974@vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9975The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9976data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9977@code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9978if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9979
9980@item $_siginfo
9981@vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9982The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9983(@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9984could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9985For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9986
9987@item $_tlb
9988@vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9989The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9990applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9991gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9992@xref{General Query Packets}.
9993This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9994
9995@end table
9996
9997On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9998begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9999name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
10000
10001@node Convenience Funs
10002@section Convenience Functions
10003
10004@cindex convenience functions
10005@value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
10006have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
10007function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
10008however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
10009@value{GDBN}.
10010
10011These functions do not require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10012@code{Python} support, which means that they are always available.
10013
10014@table @code
10015
10016@item $_isvoid (@var{expr})
10017@findex $_isvoid@r{, convenience function}
10018Return one if the expression @var{expr} is @code{void}. Otherwise it
10019returns zero.
10020
10021A @code{void} expression is an expression where the type of the result
10022is @code{void}. For example, you can examine a convenience variable
10023(see @ref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}) to check whether
10024it is @code{void}:
10025
10026@smallexample
10027(@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10028$1 = void
10029(@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10030$2 = 1
10031(@value{GDBP}) run
10032Starting program: ./a.out
10033[Inferior 1 (process 29572) exited normally]
10034(@value{GDBP}) print $_exitcode
10035$3 = 0
10036(@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($_exitcode)
10037$4 = 0
10038@end smallexample
10039
10040In the example above, we used @code{$_isvoid} to check whether
10041@code{$_exitcode} is @code{void} before and after the execution of the
10042program being debugged. Before the execution there is no exit code to
10043be examined, therefore @code{$_exitcode} is @code{void}. After the
10044execution the program being debugged returned zero, therefore
10045@code{$_exitcode} is zero, which means that it is not @code{void}
10046anymore.
10047
10048The @code{void} expression can also be a call of a function from the
10049program being debugged. For example, given the following function:
10050
10051@smallexample
10052void
10053foo (void)
10054@{
10055@}
10056@end smallexample
10057
10058The result of calling it inside @value{GDBN} is @code{void}:
10059
10060@smallexample
10061(@value{GDBP}) print foo ()
10062$1 = void
10063(@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid (foo ())
10064$2 = 1
10065(@value{GDBP}) set $v = foo ()
10066(@value{GDBP}) print $v
10067$3 = void
10068(@value{GDBP}) print $_isvoid ($v)
10069$4 = 1
10070@end smallexample
10071
10072@end table
10073
10074These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
10075@code{Python} support.
10076
10077@table @code
10078
10079@item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
10080@findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
10081Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
10082@var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
10083Otherwise it returns zero.
10084
10085@item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
10086@findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
10087Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
10088@var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10089The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
10090regular expression support.
10091
10092@item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
10093@findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
10094Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
10095Otherwise it returns zero.
10096
10097@item $_strlen(@var{str})
10098@findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
10099Returns the length of string @var{str}.
10100
10101@item $_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10102@findex $_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10103Returns one if the calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10104Otherwise it returns zero.
10105
10106If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10107it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10108The default is 1.
10109
10110Example:
10111
10112@smallexample
10113(gdb) backtrace
10114#0 bottom_func ()
10115 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:21
10116#1 0x00000000004005a0 in middle_func ()
10117 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:27
10118#2 0x00000000004005ab in top_func ()
10119 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:33
10120#3 0x00000000004005b6 in main ()
10121 at testsuite/gdb.python/py-caller-is.c:39
10122(gdb) print $_caller_is ("middle_func")
10123$1 = 1
10124(gdb) print $_caller_is ("top_func", 2)
10125$1 = 1
10126@end smallexample
10127
10128@item $_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10129@findex $_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10130Returns one if the calling function's name matches the regular expression
10131@var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10132
10133If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10134it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10135The default is 1.
10136
10137@item $_any_caller_is(@var{name}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10138@findex $_any_caller_is@r{, convenience function}
10139Returns one if any calling function's name is equal to @var{name}.
10140Otherwise it returns zero.
10141
10142If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10143it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10144The default is 1.
10145
10146This function differs from @code{$_caller_is} in that this function
10147checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10148by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_is} only checks the
10149frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10150
10151@item $_any_caller_matches(@var{regexp}@r{[}, @var{number_of_frames}@r{]})
10152@findex $_any_caller_matches@r{, convenience function}
10153Returns one if any calling function's name matches the regular expression
10154@var{regexp}. Otherwise it returns zero.
10155
10156If the optional argument @var{number_of_frames} is provided,
10157it is the number of frames up in the stack to look.
10158The default is 1.
10159
10160This function differs from @code{$_caller_matches} in that this function
10161checks all stack frames from the immediate caller to the frame specified
10162by @var{number_of_frames}, whereas @code{$_caller_matches} only checks the
10163frame specified by @var{number_of_frames}.
10164
10165@end table
10166
10167@value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
10168convenience functions.
10169
10170@table @code
10171@item help function
10172@kindex help function
10173@cindex show all convenience functions
10174Print a list of all convenience functions.
10175@end table
10176
10177@node Registers
10178@section Registers
10179
10180@cindex registers
10181You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
10182with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
10183for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
10184your machine.
10185
10186@table @code
10187@kindex info registers
10188@item info registers
10189Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
10190and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10191
10192@kindex info all-registers
10193@cindex floating point registers
10194@item info all-registers
10195Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
10196and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
10197
10198@item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
10199Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
10200As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
10201the selected stack frame. The @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
10202the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
10203@end table
10204
10205@cindex stack pointer register
10206@cindex program counter register
10207@cindex process status register
10208@cindex frame pointer register
10209@cindex standard registers
10210@value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
10211expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
10212architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
10213@code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
10214the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
10215pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
10216register that contains the processor status. For example,
10217you could print the program counter in hex with
10218
10219@smallexample
10220p/x $pc
10221@end smallexample
10222
10223@noindent
10224or print the instruction to be executed next with
10225
10226@smallexample
10227x/i $pc
10228@end smallexample
10229
10230@noindent
10231or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
10232one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
10233memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
10234stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
10235stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
10236regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
10237see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
10238
10239@smallexample
10240set $sp += 4
10241@end smallexample
10242
10243Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
10244your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
10245so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
10246shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
10247registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
10248can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
10249is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
10250
10251@value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
10252integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
10253special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
10254registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
10255to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
10256(although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
10257@samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
10258
10259Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
10260means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
10261the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
10262sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
10263coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
10264programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
10265cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
10266that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
10267prints the data in both formats.
10268
10269@cindex SSE registers (x86)
10270@cindex MMX registers (x86)
10271Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
10272in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
10273have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
10274together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
10275registers in @code{struct} notation:
10276
10277@smallexample
10278(@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
10279$1 = @{
10280 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
10281 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
10282 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
10283 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
10284 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
10285 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
10286 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
10287@}
10288@end smallexample
10289
10290@noindent
10291To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
10292view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
10293value to a @code{struct} member:
10294
10295@smallexample
10296 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
10297@end smallexample
10298
10299Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
10300(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
10301value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
10302were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
10303true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
10304frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
10305
10306@cindex caller-saved registers
10307@cindex call-clobbered registers
10308@cindex volatile registers
10309@cindex <not saved> values
10310Usually ABIs reserve some registers as not needed to be saved by the
10311callee (a.k.a.: ``caller-saved'', ``call-clobbered'' or ``volatile''
10312registers). It may therefore not be possible for @value{GDBN} to know
10313the value a register had before the call (in other words, in the outer
10314frame), if the register value has since been changed by the callee.
10315@value{GDBN} tries to deduce where the inner frame saved
10316(``callee-saved'') registers, from the debug info, unwind info, or the
10317machine code generated by your compiler. If some register is not
10318saved, and @value{GDBN} knows the register is ``caller-saved'' (via
10319its own knowledge of the ABI, or because the debug/unwind info
10320explicitly says the register's value is undefined), @value{GDBN}
10321displays @w{@samp{<not saved>}} as the register's value. With targets
10322that @value{GDBN} has no knowledge of the register saving convention,
10323if a register was not saved by the callee, then its value and location
10324in the outer frame are assumed to be the same of the inner frame.
10325This is usually harmless, because if the register is call-clobbered,
10326the caller either does not care what is in the register after the
10327call, or has code to restore the value that it does care about. Note,
10328however, that if you change such a register in the outer frame, you
10329may also be affecting the inner frame. Also, the more ``outer'' the
10330frame is you're looking at, the more likely a call-clobbered
10331register's value is to be wrong, in the sense that it doesn't actually
10332represent the value the register had just before the call.
10333
10334@node Floating Point Hardware
10335@section Floating Point Hardware
10336@cindex floating point
10337
10338Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
10339you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
10340
10341@table @code
10342@kindex info float
10343@item info float
10344Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
10345point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
10346floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
10347the ARM and x86 machines.
10348@end table
10349
10350@node Vector Unit
10351@section Vector Unit
10352@cindex vector unit
10353
10354Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
10355more information about the status of the vector unit.
10356
10357@table @code
10358@kindex info vector
10359@item info vector
10360Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
10361layout vary depending on the hardware.
10362@end table
10363
10364@node OS Information
10365@section Operating System Auxiliary Information
10366@cindex OS information
10367
10368@value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
10369you debug your program.
10370
10371@cindex auxiliary vector
10372@cindex vector, auxiliary
10373Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
10374startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
10375specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
10376binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
10377hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
10378identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
10379Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
10380@value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
10381targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
10382support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
10383@ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
10384
10385@table @code
10386@kindex info auxv
10387@item info auxv
10388Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
10389live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
10390numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
10391tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
10392pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
10393most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
10394an unrecognized tag.
10395@end table
10396
10397On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
10398information and show it to you. The types of information available
10399will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
10400target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
10401@ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
10402functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
10403@samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
10404
10405@table @code
10406@kindex info os
10407@item info os @var{infotype}
10408
10409Display OS information of the requested type.
10410
10411On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
10412
10413@anchor{linux info os infotypes}
10414@table @code
10415@kindex info os processes
10416@item processes
10417Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
10418@value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
10419command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
10420that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
10421properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
10422the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10423
10424@kindex info os procgroups
10425@item procgroups
10426Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10427@value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10428to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10429identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10430first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10431so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10432and the process group leader is listed first.
10433
10434@kindex info os threads
10435@item threads
10436Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10437@value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10438belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10439processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10440process is not listed.
10441
10442@kindex info os files
10443@item files
10444Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10445file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10446owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10447of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10448
10449@kindex info os sockets
10450@item sockets
10451Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10452socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10453remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10454the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10455connection.
10456
10457@kindex info os shm
10458@item shm
10459Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10460For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10461the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10462region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10463attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10464attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10465attached to, detach from, and changed.
10466
10467@kindex info os semaphores
10468@item semaphores
10469Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10470semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10471set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10472set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10473and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10474
10475@kindex info os msg
10476@item msg
10477Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10478message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10479queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10480on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10481that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10482of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10483message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10484the message queue was last changed.
10485
10486@kindex info os modules
10487@item modules
10488Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10489module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10490bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10491module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10492in memory.
10493@end table
10494
10495@item info os
10496If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10497@var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10498@var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10499types, this command will report an error.
10500@end table
10501
10502@node Memory Region Attributes
10503@section Memory Region Attributes
10504@cindex memory region attributes
10505
10506@dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10507required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10508attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10509accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10510target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10511fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10512user can override the fetched regions.
10513
10514Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10515memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10516accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10517been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10518all memory.
10519
10520When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10521to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10522
10523@table @code
10524@kindex mem
10525@item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10526Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10527attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10528monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10529case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10530(0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10531
10532@item mem auto
10533Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10534regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10535
10536@kindex delete mem
10537@item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10538Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10539monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10540
10541@kindex disable mem
10542@item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10543Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10544A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10545It may be enabled again later.
10546
10547@kindex enable mem
10548@item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10549Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10550
10551@kindex info mem
10552@item info mem
10553Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10554for each region:
10555
10556@table @emph
10557@item Memory Region Number
10558@item Enabled or Disabled.
10559Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10560Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10561
10562@item Lo Address
10563The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10564
10565@item Hi Address
10566The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10567
10568@item Attributes
10569The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10570@end table
10571@end table
10572
10573
10574@subsection Attributes
10575
10576@subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10577The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10578write accesses to a memory region.
10579
10580While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10581memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10582etc.@: from accessing memory.
10583
10584@table @code
10585@item ro
10586Memory is read only.
10587@item wo
10588Memory is write only.
10589@item rw
10590Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10591@end table
10592
10593@subsubsection Memory Access Size
10594The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10595accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10596require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10597specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10598
10599@table @code
10600@item 8
10601Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10602@item 16
10603Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10604@item 32
10605Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10606@item 64
10607Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10608@end table
10609
10610@c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10611@c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10612@c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10613@c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10614@c
10615@c @table @code
10616@c @item hwbreak
10617@c Always use hardware breakpoints
10618@c @item swbreak (default)
10619@c @end table
10620
10621@subsubsection Data Cache
10622The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10623memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10624protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10625does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10626registers.
10627
10628@table @code
10629@item cache
10630Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10631@item nocache
10632Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10633@end table
10634
10635@subsection Memory Access Checking
10636@value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10637not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10638regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10639better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10640
10641@table @code
10642@kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10643@item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10644If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10645explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10646to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10647memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10648treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10649The default value is @code{on}.
10650@kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10651@item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10652Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10653@end table
10654
10655
10656@c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10657@c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10658@c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10659@c
10660@c @table @code
10661@c @item verify
10662@c @item noverify (default)
10663@c @end table
10664
10665@node Dump/Restore Files
10666@section Copy Between Memory and a File
10667@cindex dump/restore files
10668@cindex append data to a file
10669@cindex dump data to a file
10670@cindex restore data from a file
10671
10672You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10673@code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10674@code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10675@code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10676memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10677Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10678files.
10679
10680@table @code
10681
10682@kindex dump
10683@item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10684@itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10685Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10686or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10687
10688The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10689@table @code
10690@item binary
10691Raw binary form.
10692@item ihex
10693Intel hex format.
10694@item srec
10695Motorola S-record format.
10696@item tekhex
10697Tektronix Hex format.
10698@end table
10699
10700@value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10701@sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10702@var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10703form.
10704
10705@kindex append
10706@item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10707@itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10708Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10709or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10710(@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10711
10712@kindex restore
10713@item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10714Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10715@code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10716file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10717must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10718
10719If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10720contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10721they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10722a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10723from that location.
10724
10725If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10726file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10727These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10728the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10729
10730@end table
10731
10732@node Core File Generation
10733@section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10734@cindex dump core from inferior
10735
10736A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10737image of a running process and its process status (register values
10738etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10739crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10740automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10741the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10742the post-mortem debugging mode.
10743
10744Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10745are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10746@value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10747
10748@table @code
10749@kindex gcore
10750@kindex generate-core-file
10751@item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10752@itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10753Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10754@var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10755specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10756@var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10757
10758Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10759this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10760@end table
10761
10762@node Character Sets
10763@section Character Sets
10764@cindex character sets
10765@cindex charset
10766@cindex translating between character sets
10767@cindex host character set
10768@cindex target character set
10769
10770If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10771represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10772@value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10773you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10774character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10775@dfn{target character set}.
10776
10777For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10778uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10779remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10780running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10781then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10782@sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10783target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10784@sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10785character and string literals in expressions.
10786
10787@value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10788the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10789target-charset} command, described below.
10790
10791Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10792support:
10793
10794@table @code
10795@item set target-charset @var{charset}
10796@kindex set target-charset
10797Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10798list of supported target character sets, type
10799@kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10800
10801@item set host-charset @var{charset}
10802@kindex set host-charset
10803Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10804
10805By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10806system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10807@code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10808automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10809case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10810
10811@value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10812set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10813@value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10814
10815@item set charset @var{charset}
10816@kindex set charset
10817Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10818above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10819@value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10820for both host and target.
10821
10822@item show charset
10823@kindex show charset
10824Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10825
10826@item show host-charset
10827@kindex show host-charset
10828Show the name of the current host character set.
10829
10830@item show target-charset
10831@kindex show target-charset
10832Show the name of the current target character set.
10833
10834@item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10835@kindex set target-wide-charset
10836Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10837the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10838display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10839@kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10840
10841@item show target-wide-charset
10842@kindex show target-wide-charset
10843Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10844@end table
10845
10846Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10847Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10848@file{charset-test.c}:
10849
10850@smallexample
10851#include <stdio.h>
10852
10853char ascii_hello[]
10854 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10855 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10856char ibm1047_hello[]
10857 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10858 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10859
10860main ()
10861@{
10862 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10863@}
10864@end smallexample
10865
10866In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10867containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10868encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10869
10870We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10871
10872@smallexample
10873$ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10874$ gdb -nw charset-test
10875GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10876Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10877@dots{}
10878(@value{GDBP})
10879@end smallexample
10880
10881We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10882@value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10883strings:
10884
10885@smallexample
10886(@value{GDBP}) show charset
10887The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10888(@value{GDBP})
10889@end smallexample
10890
10891For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10892initial character set:
10893@smallexample
10894(@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10895(@value{GDBP}) show charset
10896The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10897(@value{GDBP})
10898@end smallexample
10899
10900Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10901host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10902characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10903them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10904@sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10905
10906@smallexample
10907(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10908$1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10909(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10910$2 = 72 'H'
10911(@value{GDBP})
10912@end smallexample
10913
10914@value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10915literals you use in expressions:
10916
10917@smallexample
10918(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10919$3 = 43 '+'
10920(@value{GDBP})
10921@end smallexample
10922
10923The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10924character.
10925
10926@value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10927target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10928character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10929
10930@smallexample
10931(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10932$4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10933(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10934$5 = 200 '\310'
10935(@value{GDBP})
10936@end smallexample
10937
10938If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10939@value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10940
10941@smallexample
10942(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10943ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10944(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10945@end smallexample
10946
10947We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10948program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10949@value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10950target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10951@sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10952
10953@smallexample
10954(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10955(@value{GDBP}) show charset
10956The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10957The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10958(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10959$6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10960(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10961$7 = 72 '\110'
10962(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10963$8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10964(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10965$9 = 200 'H'
10966(@value{GDBP})
10967@end smallexample
10968
10969As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10970string literals you use in expressions:
10971
10972@smallexample
10973(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10974$10 = 78 '+'
10975(@value{GDBP})
10976@end smallexample
10977
10978The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10979character.
10980
10981@node Caching Target Data
10982@section Caching Data of Targets
10983@cindex caching data of targets
10984
10985@value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a target.
10986Each cache is associated with the address space of the inferior.
10987@xref{Inferiors and Programs}, about inferior and address space.
10988Such caching generally improves performance in remote debugging
10989(@pxref{Remote Debugging}), because it reduces the overhead of the
10990remote protocol by bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks.
10991Unfortunately, simply caching everything would lead to incorrect results,
10992since @value{GDBN} does not necessarily know anything about volatile
10993values, memory-mapped I/O addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode
10994(@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command
10995is executing.
10996Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10997known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10998rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10999in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
11000stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.} or
11001in the code segment.
11002Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
11003cacheable; @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
11004
11005@table @code
11006@kindex set remotecache
11007@item set remotecache on
11008@itemx set remotecache off
11009This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
11010with old scripts.
11011
11012@kindex show remotecache
11013@item show remotecache
11014Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
11015
11016@kindex set stack-cache
11017@item set stack-cache on
11018@itemx set stack-cache off
11019Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{on}, use
11020caching. By default, this option is @code{on}.
11021
11022@kindex show stack-cache
11023@item show stack-cache
11024Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
11025
11026@kindex set code-cache
11027@item set code-cache on
11028@itemx set code-cache off
11029Enable or disable caching of code segment accesses. When @code{on},
11030use caching. By default, this option is @code{on}. This improves
11031performance of disassembly in remote debugging.
11032
11033@kindex show code-cache
11034@item show code-cache
11035Show the current state of target memory cache for code segment
11036accesses.
11037
11038@kindex info dcache
11039@item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
11040Print the information about the performance of data cache of the
11041current inferior's address space. The information displayed
11042includes the dcache width and depth, and for each cache line, its
11043number, address, and how many times it was referenced. This
11044command is useful for debugging the data cache operation.
11045
11046If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
11047printed in hex.
11048
11049@item set dcache size @var{size}
11050@cindex dcache size
11051@kindex set dcache size
11052Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
11053
11054@item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
11055@cindex dcache line-size
11056@kindex set dcache line-size
11057Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
11058Must be a power of 2.
11059
11060@item show dcache size
11061@kindex show dcache size
11062Show maximum number of dcache entries. @xref{Caching Target Data, info dcache}.
11063
11064@item show dcache line-size
11065@kindex show dcache line-size
11066Show default size of dcache lines.
11067
11068@end table
11069
11070@node Searching Memory
11071@section Search Memory
11072@cindex searching memory
11073
11074Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
11075@code{find} command.
11076
11077@table @code
11078@kindex find
11079@item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11080@itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
11081Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
11082etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
11083@var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
11084@end table
11085
11086@var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
11087They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
11088
11089@table @r
11090@item @var{s}, search query size
11091The size of each search query value.
11092
11093@table @code
11094@item b
11095bytes
11096@item h
11097halfwords (two bytes)
11098@item w
11099words (four bytes)
11100@item g
11101giant words (eight bytes)
11102@end table
11103
11104All values are interpreted in the current language.
11105This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
11106then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
11107
11108If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
11109value's type in the current language.
11110This is useful when one wants to specify the search
11111pattern as a mixture of types.
11112Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
11113a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
11114which is typically four bytes.
11115
11116@item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
11117The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
11118@end table
11119
11120You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
11121 (@code{"}).
11122The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
11123regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
11124
11125The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
11126number of matches found.
11127
11128The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
11129@samp{$_}.
11130A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
11131
11132For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
11133
11134@smallexample
11135void
11136hello ()
11137@{
11138 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
11139 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
11140 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
11141 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
11142 printf ("%s\n", hello);
11143@}
11144@end smallexample
11145
11146@noindent
11147you get during debugging:
11148
11149@smallexample
11150(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
111510x804956d <hello.1620+6>
111521 pattern found
11153(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
111540x8049567 <hello.1620>
111550x804956d <hello.1620+6>
111562 patterns found
11157(gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
111580x8049567 <hello.1620>
111591 pattern found
11160(gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
111610x8049560 <mixed.1625>
111621 pattern found
11163(gdb) print $numfound
11164$1 = 1
11165(gdb) print $_
11166$2 = (void *) 0x8049560
11167@end smallexample
11168
11169@node Optimized Code
11170@chapter Debugging Optimized Code
11171@cindex optimized code, debugging
11172@cindex debugging optimized code
11173
11174Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
11175disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
11176directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
11177applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
11178diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
11179information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
11180the running program back to constructs from your original source.
11181
11182@value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
11183can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
11184progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
11185where you may need to debug an optimized version.
11186
11187When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
11188optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
11189really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
11190exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
11191variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
11192variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
11193
11194Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
11195@samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
11196doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
11197please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
11198@xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
11199
11200@menu
11201* Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
11202* Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
11203@end menu
11204
11205@node Inline Functions
11206@section Inline Functions
11207@cindex inline functions, debugging
11208
11209@dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
11210body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
11211routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
11212non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
11213arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
11214them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
11215You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
11216@code{info frame} command.
11217
11218For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
11219record information about inlining in the debug information ---
11220@value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
11221other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
11222when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
11223do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
11224@samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
11225function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
11226displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
11227local variables in the caller.
11228
11229The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
11230unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
11231the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
11232start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
11233the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
11234the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
11235instructions are executed.
11236
11237This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
11238context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
11239a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
11240this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
11241
11242There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
11243function calls are the same as normal calls:
11244
11245@itemize @bullet
11246@item
11247Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
11248work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
11249may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
11250function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
11251version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
11252or inside the inlined function instead.
11253
11254@item
11255@value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
11256using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
11257debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
11258and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
11259
11260@end itemize
11261
11262@node Tail Call Frames
11263@section Tail Call Frames
11264@cindex tail call frames, debugging
11265
11266Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
11267unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
11268instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
11269call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
11270instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
11271
11272During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
11273function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
11274@code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
11275then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
11276some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
11277@code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
11278return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
11279
11280This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
11281the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
11282@value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
11283this information.
11284
11285@kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
11286kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
11287
11288@smallexample
11289(gdb) x/i $pc - 2
11290 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
11291(gdb) info frame
11292Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
11293 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
11294 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
11295 source language c++.
11296 Arglist at unknown address.
11297 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
11298@end smallexample
11299
11300The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
11301There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
11302used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
11303callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
11304tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
11305unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
11306
11307@table @code
11308@anchor{set debug entry-values}
11309@item set debug entry-values
11310@kindex set debug entry-values
11311When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
11312values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
11313tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
11314of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
11315result.
11316
11317@item show debug entry-values
11318@kindex show debug entry-values
11319Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
11320values at function entry and tail calls.
11321@end table
11322
11323The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
11324call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
11325reference by variable @code{x}):
11326
11327@smallexample
11328static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
11329void (*x) (void) = c;
11330static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11331static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
11332int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
11333
11334Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
11335DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
11336a () at t.c:3
113373 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
11338(gdb) bt
11339#0 a () at t.c:3
11340#1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
11341@end smallexample
11342
11343Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
11344
11345@smallexample
11346int i;
11347static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
11348static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
11349static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
11350static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
11351static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
11352@{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
11353static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
11354int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
11355
11356tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
11357tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
11358tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
11359(gdb) bt
11360#0 f () at t.c:2
11361#1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
11362#2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
11363@end smallexample
11364
11365@set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
11366@set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
11367
11368@c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
11369@ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11370@set ARROW @click{}
11371@set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
11372@set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
11373@end ifset
11374@ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
11375@set ARROW ->
11376@set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
11377@set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
11378@end ifclear
11379
11380Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
11381The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
11382@value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
11383
11384@code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
11385has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
11386prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
11387printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
11388futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
11389any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
11390
11391For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
11392@code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
11393also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
11394therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
11395omitted.
11396
11397There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
11398entry may fail:
11399
11400@smallexample
11401int v;
11402static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
11403static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
11404static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
11405static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
11406@{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
11407int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
11408
11409(gdb) bt
11410#0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
11411#1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
11412function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
11413i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
11414#2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
11415@end smallexample
11416
11417@value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
11418function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
11419tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
11420@value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
11421prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
11422
11423@node Macros
11424@chapter C Preprocessor Macros
11425
11426Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
11427``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
11428@value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
11429the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
11430where it was defined.
11431
11432You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
11433with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
11434include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
11435with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
11436
11437A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
11438and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
11439points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11440no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11441uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11442@value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11443see @ref{List}.
11444
11445Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11446macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11447the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11448
11449@table @code
11450
11451@kindex macro expand
11452@cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11453@cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11454@cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11455@item macro expand @var{expression}
11456@itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11457Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11458@var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11459not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11460it can be any string of tokens.
11461
11462@kindex macro exp1
11463@item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11464@itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11465@cindex expand macro once
11466@i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11467expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11468@var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11469left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11470particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11471expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11472parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11473can be any string of tokens.
11474
11475@kindex info macro
11476@cindex macro definition, showing
11477@cindex definition of a macro, showing
11478@cindex macros, from debug info
11479@item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11480Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11481and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11482definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11483argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11484the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11485
11486@kindex info macros
11487@item info macros @var{linespec}
11488Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11489by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
11490command-line where those definitions were established.
11491
11492@kindex macro define
11493@cindex user-defined macros
11494@cindex defining macros interactively
11495@cindex macros, user-defined
11496@item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11497@itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11498Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11499invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11500@var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11501``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11502defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11503@var{arglist}.
11504
11505A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11506expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11507@code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11508all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11509as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11510
11511@kindex macro undef
11512@item macro undef @var{macro}
11513Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11514This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11515define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11516in the program being debugged.
11517
11518@kindex macro list
11519@item macro list
11520List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11521@end table
11522
11523@cindex macros, example of debugging with
11524Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11525show our source files:
11526
11527@smallexample
11528$ cat sample.c
11529#include <stdio.h>
11530#include "sample.h"
11531
11532#define M 42
11533#define ADD(x) (M + x)
11534
11535main ()
11536@{
11537#define N 28
11538 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11539#undef N
11540 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11541#define N 1729
11542 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11543@}
11544$ cat sample.h
11545#define Q <
11546$
11547@end smallexample
11548
11549Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
11550@value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
11551minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
11552and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
11553version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
11554includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
11555information.
11556
11557@smallexample
11558$ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
11559$
11560@end smallexample
11561
11562Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
11563
11564@smallexample
11565$ gdb -nw sample
11566GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
11567Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11568GDB is free software, @dots{}
11569(@value{GDBP})
11570@end smallexample
11571
11572We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
11573program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
11574to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
11575
11576@smallexample
11577(@value{GDBP}) list main
115783
115794 #define M 42
115805 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
115816
115827 main ()
115838 @{
115849 #define N 28
1158510 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
1158611 #undef N
1158712 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11588(@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
11589Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
11590#define ADD(x) (M + x)
11591(@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
11592Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
11593 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
11594#define Q <
11595(@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
11596expands to: (42 + 1)
11597(@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11598expands to: once (M + 1)
11599(@value{GDBP})
11600@end smallexample
11601
11602In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11603the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11604@code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11605which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11606
11607Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11608force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11609
11610@smallexample
11611(@value{GDBP}) break main
11612Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11613(@value{GDBP}) run
11614Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11615
11616Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
1161710 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11618(@value{GDBP})
11619@end smallexample
11620
11621At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11622
11623@smallexample
11624(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11625Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11626#define N 28
11627(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11628expands to: 28 < 42
11629(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11630$1 = 1
11631(@value{GDBP})
11632@end smallexample
11633
11634As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11635give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11636thereof) in force at each point:
11637
11638@smallexample
11639(@value{GDBP}) next
11640Hello, world!
1164112 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11642(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11643The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11644at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11645(@value{GDBP}) next
11646We're so creative.
1164714 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11648(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11649Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11650#define N 1729
11651(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11652expands to: 1729 < 42
11653(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11654$2 = 0
11655(@value{GDBP})
11656@end smallexample
11657
11658In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11659line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11660such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11661of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11662
11663@smallexample
11664(@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11665Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11666-D__STDC__=1
11667(@value{GDBP})
11668@end smallexample
11669
11670
11671@node Tracepoints
11672@chapter Tracepoints
11673@c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11674@c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11675
11676@cindex tracepoints
11677In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11678the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11679anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11680depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11681might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11682fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11683to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11684
11685Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11686specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11687arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11688Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11689those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11690expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11691for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11692a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11693in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11694values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11695unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11696
11697The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11698targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11699how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11700remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11701support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11702packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11703Packets}.
11704
11705It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11706of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11707through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11708
11709This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11710
11711@menu
11712* Set Tracepoints::
11713* Analyze Collected Data::
11714* Tracepoint Variables::
11715* Trace Files::
11716@end menu
11717
11718@node Set Tracepoints
11719@section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11720
11721Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11722tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11723breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11724standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11725tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11726of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11727as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11728
11729For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11730of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11731it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11732local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11733commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11734tracepoint was hit.
11735
11736Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11737tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11738commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11739either.
11740
11741@cindex fast tracepoints
11742Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11743a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11744faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11745
11746@cindex static tracepoints
11747@cindex markers, static tracepoints
11748@cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11749Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11750that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11751in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11752tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11753instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11754the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11755address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11756investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11757support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11758points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11759tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11760@value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11761registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11762point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11763The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11764instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11765static tracepoint marker.
11766
11767@code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11768@xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11769
11770This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11771conditions and actions.
11772
11773@menu
11774* Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11775* Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11776* Tracepoint Passcounts::
11777* Tracepoint Conditions::
11778* Trace State Variables::
11779* Tracepoint Actions::
11780* Listing Tracepoints::
11781* Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11782* Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11783* Tracepoint Restrictions::
11784@end menu
11785
11786@node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11787@subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11788
11789@table @code
11790@cindex set tracepoint
11791@kindex trace
11792@item trace @var{location}
11793The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11794Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11795an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11796@code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11797target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11798data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11799changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11800supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11801in tracing}).
11802If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11803these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11804command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11805not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11806@value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11807address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11808Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11809until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11810@value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11811@value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11812tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11813the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11814
11815Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11816
11817@smallexample
11818(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11819
11820(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11821
11822(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11823
11824(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11825
11826(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11827@end smallexample
11828
11829@noindent
11830You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11831
11832@item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11833Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11834@var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11835if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11836@xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11837information on tracepoint conditions.
11838
11839@item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11840@cindex set fast tracepoint
11841@cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11842@kindex ftrace
11843The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11844support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11845less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11846instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11847may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11848location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11849message.
11850
11851@value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11852@code{trace}.
11853
11854On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11855be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11856placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11857program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11858such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11859address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11860to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11861to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11862
11863@example
11864sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11865@end example
11866
11867@noindent
11868which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11869trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11870
11871@item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11872@cindex set static tracepoint
11873@cindex static tracepoints, setting
11874@cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11875@kindex strace
11876The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11877support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11878instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11879be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11880which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11881
11882@value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11883@code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11884@code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11885identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11886depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11887using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11888of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11889@xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11890Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11891tracing engine:
11892
11893@smallexample
11894main ()
11895@{
11896 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11897@}
11898@end smallexample
11899
11900@noindent
11901the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11902@code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11903
11904@smallexample
11905(@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11906Cnt Enb ID Address What
119071 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11908 Data: "str %s"
11909[etc...]
11910@end smallexample
11911
11912@noindent
11913so you may probe the marker above with:
11914
11915@smallexample
11916(@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11917@end smallexample
11918
11919Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11920$_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11921call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11922that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11923string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11924string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11925static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11926the @samp{Data:} field.
11927
11928You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11929the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11930@value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11931
11932@vindex $tpnum
11933@cindex last tracepoint number
11934@cindex recent tracepoint number
11935@cindex tracepoint number
11936The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11937of the most recently set tracepoint.
11938
11939@kindex delete tracepoint
11940@cindex tracepoint deletion
11941@item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11942Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11943default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11944@code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11945
11946Examples:
11947
11948@smallexample
11949(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11950
11951(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11952@end smallexample
11953
11954@noindent
11955You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11956@end table
11957
11958@node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11959@subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11960
11961These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11962
11963@table @code
11964@kindex disable tracepoint
11965@item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11966Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11967@var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11968a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11969a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11970If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11971has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11972change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11973next trace experiment.
11974
11975@kindex enable tracepoint
11976@item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11977Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11978issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11979tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11980become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11981next time a trace experiment is run.
11982@end table
11983
11984@node Tracepoint Passcounts
11985@subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11986
11987@table @code
11988@kindex passcount
11989@cindex tracepoint pass count
11990@item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11991Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11992automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11993@var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11994the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11995@var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11996passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11997given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11998user.
11999
12000Examples:
12001
12002@smallexample
12003(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
12004@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
12005
12006(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
12007@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
12008(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12009(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
12010(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
12011(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
12012(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
12013(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
12014@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
12015@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
12016@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
12017@end smallexample
12018@end table
12019
12020@node Tracepoint Conditions
12021@subsection Tracepoint Conditions
12022@cindex conditional tracepoints
12023@cindex tracepoint conditions
12024
12025The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
12026reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
12027a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
12028programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
12029tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
12030program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
12031is true.
12032
12033Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
12034using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
12035@xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
12036also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
12037just as with breakpoints.
12038
12039Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
12040the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
12041expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
12042suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
12043Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
12044accesses, and so forth.
12045
12046For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
12047frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
12048could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
12049of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
12050through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
12051collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
12052search through.
12053
12054@smallexample
12055(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
12056@end smallexample
12057
12058@node Trace State Variables
12059@subsection Trace State Variables
12060@cindex trace state variables
12061
12062A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
12063created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
12064that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
12065but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
12066using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
12067integers.
12068
12069Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
12070to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
12071experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
12072trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
12073
12074@cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
12075Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
12076them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
12077variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
12078while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
12079the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
12080cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
12081@code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
12082variable with the same name.
12083
12084@table @code
12085
12086@item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
12087@kindex tvariable
12088The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
12089@code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
12090@var{expression}. The @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
12091entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
12092otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
12093@code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
12094variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
12095existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
12096value. The default initial value is 0.
12097
12098@item info tvariables
12099@kindex info tvariables
12100List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
12101Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
12102currently running.
12103
12104@item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
12105@kindex delete tvariable
12106Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
12107are specified.
12108
12109@end table
12110
12111@node Tracepoint Actions
12112@subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
12113
12114@table @code
12115@kindex actions
12116@cindex tracepoint actions
12117@item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
12118This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
12119tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
12120specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
12121recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
12122@code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
12123actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
12124terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
12125far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
12126@code{while-stepping}.
12127
12128@code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
12129Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
12130actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
12131
12132@cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
12133To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
12134and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
12135
12136@smallexample
12137(@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
12138
12139(@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
12140
12141(@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
12142@end smallexample
12143
12144In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
12145commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
12146hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
12147following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
12148followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
12149sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
12150terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
12151list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
12152
12153@smallexample
12154(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
12155(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12156Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
12157> collect bar,baz
12158> collect $regs
12159> while-stepping 12
12160 > collect $pc, arr[i]
12161 > end
12162end
12163@end smallexample
12164
12165@kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
12166@item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12167Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
12168This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
12169In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
12170special arguments are supported:
12171
12172@table @code
12173@item $regs
12174Collect all registers.
12175
12176@item $args
12177Collect all function arguments.
12178
12179@item $locals
12180Collect all local variables.
12181
12182@item $_ret
12183Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
12184of a backtrace.
12185
12186@item $_probe_argc
12187Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
12188tracepoint is located.
12189@xref{Static Probe Points}.
12190
12191@item $_probe_arg@var{n}
12192@var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
12193from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
12194@xref{Static Probe Points}.
12195
12196@item $_sdata
12197@vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
12198Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
12199static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
12200Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
12201instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
12202tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
12203character string using the format provided by the programmer that
12204instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
12205Here's an example of a UST marker call:
12206
12207@smallexample
12208 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
12209 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
12210@end smallexample
12211
12212In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
12213@samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
12214inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
12215@value{GDBN}.
12216@end table
12217
12218You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
12219with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
12220arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
12221
12222The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
12223@code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
12224particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
12225to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
12226@code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
12227number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
12228@samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
12229@samp{mystr}.
12230
12231The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
12232particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
12233
12234@kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
12235@item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12236Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
12237command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
12238are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
12239state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
12240values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
12241action were used.
12242
12243@kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
12244@item while-stepping @var{n}
12245Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
12246collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
12247command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
12248(followed by its own @code{end} command):
12249
12250@smallexample
12251> while-stepping 12
12252 > collect $regs, myglobal
12253 > end
12254>
12255@end smallexample
12256
12257@noindent
12258Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
12259@code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
12260you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
12261@code{stepping}.
12262
12263@item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
12264@kindex set default-collect
12265@cindex default collection action
12266This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
12267hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
12268to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
12269individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
12270@code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
12271local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
12272
12273@item show default-collect
12274@kindex show default-collect
12275Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
12276tracepoint hit.
12277
12278@end table
12279
12280@node Listing Tracepoints
12281@subsection Listing Tracepoints
12282
12283@table @code
12284@kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12285@kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
12286@cindex information about tracepoints
12287@item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
12288Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
12289specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
12290tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
12291@code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
12292command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
12293
12294A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
12295tracing:
12296
12297@itemize @bullet
12298@item
12299its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
12300
12301@item
12302the state about installed on target of each location
12303@end itemize
12304
12305@smallexample
12306(@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
12307Num Type Disp Enb Address What
123081 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
12309 while-stepping 20
12310 collect globfoo, $regs
12311 end
12312 collect globfoo2
12313 end
12314 pass count 1200
123152 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
12316 collect $eip
123172.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12318 installed on target
123192.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
12320 installed on target
123212.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
123223 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
12323 not installed on target
12324(@value{GDBP})
12325@end smallexample
12326
12327@noindent
12328This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
12329@end table
12330
12331@node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12332@subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
12333
12334@table @code
12335@kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
12336@cindex information about static tracepoint markers
12337@item info static-tracepoint-markers
12338Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
12339program.
12340
12341For each marker, the following columns are printed:
12342
12343@table @emph
12344@item Count
12345An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
12346stable identifier.
12347@item ID
12348The marker ID, as reported by the target.
12349@item Enabled or Disabled
12350Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
12351that are not enabled.
12352@item Address
12353Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
12354@item What
12355Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
12356number. If the debug information included in the program does not
12357allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
12358will be left blank.
12359@end table
12360
12361@noindent
12362In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
12363
12364@table @emph
12365@item Data
12366User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
12367UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
12368marker call.
12369@item Static tracepoints probing the marker
12370The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
12371@end table
12372
12373@smallexample
12374(@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
12375Cnt ID Enb Address What
123761 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
12377 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
12378 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
123792 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
12380 Data: str %s
12381(@value{GDBP})
12382@end smallexample
12383@end table
12384
12385@node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12386@subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
12387
12388@table @code
12389@kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
12390@cindex start a new trace experiment
12391@cindex collected data discarded
12392@item tstart
12393This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
12394It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
12395trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
12396are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
12397experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
12398especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
12399the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
12400information, and so forth.
12401
12402@kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
12403@cindex stop a running trace experiment
12404@item tstop
12405This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
12406supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
12407useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
12408instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
12409needs to be stopped quickly.
12410
12411@strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
12412automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
12413(@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
12414
12415@kindex tstatus
12416@cindex status of trace data collection
12417@cindex trace experiment, status of
12418@item tstatus
12419This command displays the status of the current trace data
12420collection.
12421@end table
12422
12423Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
12424
12425@smallexample
12426(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
12427(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12428Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
12429> collect $regs,$locals,$args
12430> while-stepping 11
12431 > collect $regs
12432 > end
12433> end
12434(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12435 [time passes @dots{}]
12436(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
12437@end smallexample
12438
12439@anchor{disconnected tracing}
12440@cindex disconnected tracing
12441You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12442@value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12443involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12444ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12445terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12446unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12447@code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12448continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12449
12450@table @code
12451@item set disconnected-tracing on
12452@itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12453@kindex set disconnected-tracing
12454Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12455has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12456@code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12457matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12458for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12459
12460@item show disconnected-tracing
12461@kindex show disconnected-tracing
12462Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12463
12464@end table
12465
12466When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12467still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12468meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12469it will continue after reconnection.
12470
12471Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12472tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12473information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12474to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12475have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12476the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12477debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12478which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12479necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12480created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12481
12482@cindex circular trace buffer
12483If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12484can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12485buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12486frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12487collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12488hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12489buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12490@samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12491including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12492buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12493the next run.
12494
12495@table @code
12496@item set circular-trace-buffer on
12497@itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12498@kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12499Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12500for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12501fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12502data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12503
12504@item show circular-trace-buffer
12505@kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12506Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12507match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12508match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12509for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12510
12511@end table
12512
12513@table @code
12514@item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12515@itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12516@kindex set trace-buffer-size
12517Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12518targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12519the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12520@code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12521likes. This is also the default.
12522
12523@item show trace-buffer-size
12524@kindex show trace-buffer-size
12525Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12526will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12527and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12528target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12529not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12530to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12531@end table
12532
12533@table @code
12534@item set trace-user @var{text}
12535@kindex set trace-user
12536
12537@item show trace-user
12538@kindex show trace-user
12539
12540@item set trace-notes @var{text}
12541@kindex set trace-notes
12542Set the trace run's notes.
12543
12544@item show trace-notes
12545@kindex show trace-notes
12546Show the trace run's notes.
12547
12548@item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12549@kindex set trace-stop-notes
12550Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
12551@code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
12552stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
12553
12554@item show trace-stop-notes
12555@kindex show trace-stop-notes
12556Show the trace run's stop notes.
12557
12558@end table
12559
12560@node Tracepoint Restrictions
12561@subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
12562
12563@cindex tracepoint restrictions
12564There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
12565described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
12566without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
12567the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
12568examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
12569collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
12570is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
12571mentioned here.
12572
12573@itemize @bullet
12574
12575@item
12576Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
12577the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
12578You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
12579convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
12580state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
12581functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
12582cannot be collected either.
12583
12584@item
12585Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
12586@code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
12587behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
12588instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
12589may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
12590tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
12591variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
12592tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
12593where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
12594program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
12595
12596@item
12597Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12598may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12599in a misleading way.
12600
12601@item
12602When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12603dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12604being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12605not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12606dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12607collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12608@code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12609by @code{ptr}.
12610
12611@item
12612It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12613tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12614bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12615(adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12616target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12617Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12618using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12619depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12620if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12621stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12622invalid address.
12623
12624@item
12625If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12626infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12627the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12628for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12629multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12630inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12631@value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12632it to zero.
12633
12634@end itemize
12635
12636@node Analyze Collected Data
12637@section Using the Collected Data
12638
12639After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12640for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12641collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12642snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12643consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12644examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12645specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12646snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12647registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12648rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12649debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12650(@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12651behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12652when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12653the buffer will fail.
12654
12655@menu
12656* tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12657* tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12658* save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12659@end menu
12660
12661@node tfind
12662@subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12663
12664@kindex tfind
12665@cindex select trace snapshot
12666@cindex find trace snapshot
12667The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12668@code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12669counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12670snapshot is selected.
12671
12672Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12673
12674@table @code
12675@item tfind start
12676Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12677@code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12678
12679@item tfind none
12680Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12681
12682@item tfind end
12683Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12684
12685@item tfind
12686No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12687
12688@item tfind -
12689Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12690retracing earlier steps.
12691
12692@item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12693Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12694proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12695argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12696for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12697
12698@item tfind pc @var{addr}
12699Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12700program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12701snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12702snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12703
12704@item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12705Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12706addresses (exclusive).
12707
12708@item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12709Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12710@var{addr2} (inclusive).
12711
12712@item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12713Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12714the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12715that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12716trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12717next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12718@code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12719stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12720@end table
12721
12722The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12723designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12724instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12725snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12726trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12727simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12728snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12729@key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12730The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12731for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12732no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12733(PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12734no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12735tracepoint as the current one.
12736
12737In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12738these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12739scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12740you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12741registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12742
12743@smallexample
12744(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12745(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12746> printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12747 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12748> tfind
12749> end
12750
12751Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12752Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12753Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12754Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12755Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12756Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12757Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12758Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12759Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12760Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12761Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12762@end smallexample
12763
12764Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12765the buffer:
12766
12767@smallexample
12768(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12769(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12770> printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12771> tfind line
12772> end
12773
12774Frame 0, X = 1
12775Frame 7, X = 2
12776Frame 13, X = 255
12777@end smallexample
12778
12779@node tdump
12780@subsection @code{tdump}
12781@kindex tdump
12782@cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12783@cindex tracepoint data, display
12784
12785This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12786the current trace snapshot.
12787
12788@smallexample
12789(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12790(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12791Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12792> collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12793> end
12794
12795(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12796
12797(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12798#0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12799at gdb_test.c:444
12800444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12801
12802(@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12803Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12804d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12805d1 0x18 24
12806d2 0x80 128
12807d3 0x33 51
12808d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12809d5 0x22 34
12810d6 0xe0 224
12811d7 0x380035 3670069
12812a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12813a1 0x3000668 50333288
12814a2 0x100 256
12815a3 0x322000 3284992
12816a4 0x3000698 50333336
12817a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12818fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12819sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12820ps 0x0 0
12821pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12822fpcontrol 0x0 0
12823fpstatus 0x0 0
12824fpiaddr 0x0 0
12825p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12826p1 = (void *) 0x11
12827p2 = (void *) 0x22
12828p3 = (void *) 0x33
12829p4 = (void *) 0x44
12830p5 = (void *) 0x55
12831p6 = (void *) 0x66
12832gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12833
12834(@value{GDBP})
12835@end smallexample
12836
12837@code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12838actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12839@code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12840actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12841
12842Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12843uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12844frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12845collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12846to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12847body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12848then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12849list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12850same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12851@c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12852
12853@node save tracepoints
12854@subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12855@kindex save tracepoints
12856@kindex save-tracepoints
12857@cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12858
12859This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12860their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12861suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12862tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12863Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12864alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12865
12866@node Tracepoint Variables
12867@section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12868@cindex tracepoint variables
12869@cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12870
12871@table @code
12872@vindex $trace_frame
12873@item (int) $trace_frame
12874The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12875snapshot is selected.
12876
12877@vindex $tracepoint
12878@item (int) $tracepoint
12879The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12880
12881@vindex $trace_line
12882@item (int) $trace_line
12883The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12884
12885@vindex $trace_file
12886@item (char []) $trace_file
12887The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12888
12889@vindex $trace_func
12890@item (char []) $trace_func
12891The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12892@end table
12893
12894Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12895use @code{output} instead.
12896
12897Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12898stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12899data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12900which are managed by the target.
12901
12902@smallexample
12903(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12904
12905(@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12906> output $trace_file
12907> printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12908> tfind
12909> end
12910@end smallexample
12911
12912@node Trace Files
12913@section Using Trace Files
12914@cindex trace files
12915
12916In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12917longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12918for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12919dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12920of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12921
12922@table @code
12923
12924@kindex tsave
12925@item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12926@itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12927Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12928assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12929necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12930then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12931optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12932the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12933more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12934@code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12935By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12936You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12937format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12938that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12939@indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12940
12941@kindex target tfile
12942@kindex tfile
12943@kindex target ctf
12944@kindex ctf
12945@item target tfile @var{filename}
12946@itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12947Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12948a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12949a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12950@code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12951the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12952Both @var{filename} and @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12953the host.
12954
12955@smallexample
12956(@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12957(@value{GDBP}) tfind
12958Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
1295939 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12960(@value{GDBP}) tdump
12961Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12962i = 0
12963a = 0
12964b = 1 '\001'
12965c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12966d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12967(@value{GDBP}) p b
12968$1 = 1
12969@end smallexample
12970
12971@end table
12972
12973@node Overlays
12974@chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12975@cindex overlays
12976
12977If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12978memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12979problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12980use overlays.
12981
12982@menu
12983* How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12984* Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12985* Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12986 mapped by asking the inferior.
12987* Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12988@end menu
12989
12990@node How Overlays Work
12991@section How Overlays Work
12992@cindex mapped overlays
12993@cindex unmapped overlays
12994@cindex load address, overlay's
12995@cindex mapped address
12996@cindex overlay area
12997
12998Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12999kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
13000other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
13001management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
13002adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
13003
13004One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
13005independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
13006@dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
13007their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
13008instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
13009largest overlay as well.
13010
13011Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
13012overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
13013for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
13014there.
13015
13016@c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
13017@c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
13018@c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
13019
13020@smallexample
13021@group
13022 Data Instruction Larger
13023Address Space Address Space Address Space
13024+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
13025| | | | | |
13026+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
13027| program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
13028| variables | | program | | +-----------+
13029| and heap | | | | | |
13030+-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
13031| | +-----------+ | | | load address
13032+-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
13033 | | | | | |
13034 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
13035 address | | | | | |
13036 | overlay | <-' | | |
13037 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
13038 | | <---. | | load address
13039 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
13040 | | | |
13041 +-----------+ | |
13042 +-----------+
13043 | |
13044 +-----------+
13045
13046 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
13047@end group
13048@end smallexample
13049
13050The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
13051and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
13052its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
13053Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
13054may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
13055data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
13056program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
13057program and the overlay area.
13058
13059An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
13060@dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
13061instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
13062in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
13063is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
13064the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
13065called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
13066
13067Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
13068program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
13069global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
13070
13071@itemize @bullet
13072
13073@item
13074Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
13075must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
13076return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
13077overlay, and your program will probably crash.
13078
13079@item
13080If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
13081will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
13082your program's performance.
13083
13084@item
13085The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
13086overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
13087mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
13088and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
13089You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
13090addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
13091ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
13092
13093@item
13094The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
13095to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
13096instruction and data spaces.
13097
13098@end itemize
13099
13100The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
13101improved in many ways:
13102
13103@itemize @bullet
13104
13105@item
13106If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
13107hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
13108contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
13109This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
13110area in the usual way.
13111
13112@item
13113If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
13114overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
13115
13116@item
13117You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
13118general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
13119code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
13120return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
13121the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
13122must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
13123different data overlay into the same mapped area.
13124
13125@end itemize
13126
13127
13128@node Overlay Commands
13129@section Overlay Commands
13130
13131To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
13132correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
13133virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
13134mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
13135@value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
13136variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
13137
13138@value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
13139you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
13140
13141@table @code
13142@item overlay off
13143@kindex overlay
13144Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
13145disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
13146always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
13147overlay support is disabled.
13148
13149@item overlay manual
13150@cindex manual overlay debugging
13151Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13152relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
13153using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
13154commands described below.
13155
13156@item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
13157@itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
13158@cindex map an overlay
13159Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
13160be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
13161overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
13162functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
13163that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
13164@var{overlay} are now unmapped.
13165
13166@item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
13167@itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
13168@cindex unmap an overlay
13169Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
13170must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
13171When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
13172overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
13173
13174@item overlay auto
13175Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
13176consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
13177to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
13178Overlay Debugging}.
13179
13180@item overlay load-target
13181@itemx overlay load
13182@cindex reloading the overlay table
13183Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
13184re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
13185stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
13186overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
13187useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
13188
13189@item overlay list-overlays
13190@itemx overlay list
13191@cindex listing mapped overlays
13192Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
13193addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
13194
13195@end table
13196
13197Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
13198of the function the address falls in:
13199
13200@smallexample
13201(@value{GDBP}) print main
13202$3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
13203@end smallexample
13204@noindent
13205When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
13206unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
13207asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
13208unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
13209
13210@smallexample
13211(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13212No sections are mapped.
13213(@value{GDBP}) print foo
13214$5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
13215@end smallexample
13216@noindent
13217When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
13218name normally:
13219
13220@smallexample
13221(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
13222Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
13223 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
13224(@value{GDBP}) print foo
13225$6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
13226@end smallexample
13227
13228When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
13229address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
13230overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
13231@code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
13232code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
13233
13234@itemize @bullet
13235@item
13236@cindex breakpoints in overlays
13237@cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
13238You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
13239@value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
13240@item
13241@value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
13242unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
13243overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
13244you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
13245breakpoints properly.
13246@end itemize
13247
13248
13249@node Automatic Overlay Debugging
13250@section Automatic Overlay Debugging
13251@cindex automatic overlay debugging
13252
13253@value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
13254are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
13255inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
13256@code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
13257looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
13258current state of the overlays.
13259
13260Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
13261@value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
13262
13263@table @asis
13264
13265@item @code{_ovly_table}:
13266This variable must be an array of the following structures:
13267
13268@smallexample
13269struct
13270@{
13271 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
13272 unsigned long vma;
13273
13274 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
13275 unsigned long size;
13276
13277 /* The overlay's load address. */
13278 unsigned long lma;
13279
13280 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
13281 zero otherwise. */
13282 unsigned long mapped;
13283@}
13284@end smallexample
13285
13286@item @code{_novlys}:
13287This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
13288number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
13289
13290@end table
13291
13292To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
13293looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
13294@code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
13295executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
13296the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
13297currently mapped.
13298
13299In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
13300@code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
13301will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
13302calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
13303will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
13304are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
13305in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
13306overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
13307are not being executed.
13308
13309@node Overlay Sample Program
13310@section Overlay Sample Program
13311@cindex overlay example program
13312
13313When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
13314at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
13315addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
13316Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
13317since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
13318architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
13319portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
13320
13321However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
13322program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
13323suite. The program consists of the following files from
13324@file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
13325
13326@table @file
13327@item overlays.c
13328The main program file.
13329@item ovlymgr.c
13330A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
13331@item foo.c
13332@itemx bar.c
13333@itemx baz.c
13334@itemx grbx.c
13335Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
13336@item d10v.ld
13337@itemx m32r.ld
13338Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
13339and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
13340@end table
13341
13342You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
13343cross-compiler like this:
13344
13345@smallexample
13346$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
13347$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
13348$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
13349$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
13350$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
13351$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
13352$ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
13353 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
13354@end smallexample
13355
13356The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
13357you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
13358target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
13359
13360
13361@node Languages
13362@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
13363@cindex languages
13364
13365Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
13366rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
13367dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
13368Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
13369represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
13370@samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
13371
13372@cindex working language
13373Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
13374allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
13375native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
13376consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
13377language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
13378language}.
13379
13380@menu
13381* Setting:: Switching between source languages
13382* Show:: Displaying the language
13383* Checks:: Type and range checks
13384* Supported Languages:: Supported languages
13385* Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
13386@end menu
13387
13388@node Setting
13389@section Switching Between Source Languages
13390
13391There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
13392set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
13393@code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
13394defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
13395used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
13396are printed, etc.
13397
13398In addition to the working language, every source file that
13399@value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
13400file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
13401source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
13402language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
13403controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
13404show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
13405set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
13406set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
13407Displaying the Language}.
13408
13409This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
13410as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
13411another language. In that case, make the
13412program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
13413@value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
13414program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
13415
13416@menu
13417* Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
13418* Manually:: Setting the working language manually
13419* Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
13420@end menu
13421
13422@node Filenames
13423@subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
13424
13425If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
13426@value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13427
13428@table @file
13429@item .ada
13430@itemx .ads
13431@itemx .adb
13432@itemx .a
13433Ada source file.
13434
13435@item .c
13436C source file
13437
13438@item .C
13439@itemx .cc
13440@itemx .cp
13441@itemx .cpp
13442@itemx .cxx
13443@itemx .c++
13444C@t{++} source file
13445
13446@item .d
13447D source file
13448
13449@item .m
13450Objective-C source file
13451
13452@item .f
13453@itemx .F
13454Fortran source file
13455
13456@item .mod
13457Modula-2 source file
13458
13459@item .s
13460@itemx .S
13461Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13462@value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13463@end table
13464
13465In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13466extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13467
13468@node Manually
13469@subsection Setting the Working Language
13470
13471If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13472expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13473your program.
13474
13475@kindex set language
13476If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13477command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13478a language, such as
13479@code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13480For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13481
13482Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13483language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13484to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13485source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13486languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13487source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13488command such as:
13489
13490@smallexample
13491print a = b + c
13492@end smallexample
13493
13494@noindent
13495might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13496@code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13497printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13498@code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13499
13500@node Automatically
13501@subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13502
13503To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13504@samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13505then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13506frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13507working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13508frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13509or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13510does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13511not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13512
13513This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13514entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13515written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13516a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13517case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13518
13519@node Show
13520@section Displaying the Language
13521
13522The following commands help you find out which language is the
13523working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13524
13525@table @code
13526@item show language
13527@anchor{show language}
13528@kindex show language
13529Display the current working language. This is the
13530language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13531build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13532
13533@item info frame
13534@kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13535Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13536working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13537@xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13538information listed here.
13539
13540@item info source
13541@kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13542Display the source language of this source file.
13543@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13544information listed here.
13545@end table
13546
13547In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13548not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13549with a language explicitly:
13550
13551@table @code
13552@item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
13553@kindex set extension-language
13554Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
13555assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
13556
13557@item info extensions
13558@kindex info extensions
13559List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
13560@end table
13561
13562@node Checks
13563@section Type and Range Checking
13564
13565Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
13566errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
13567checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
13568sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
13569these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
13570by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
13571errors when your program is running.
13572
13573By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
13574rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
13575the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
13576into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
13577
13578@menu
13579* Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
13580* Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
13581@end menu
13582
13583@cindex type checking
13584@cindex checks, type
13585@node Type Checking
13586@subsection An Overview of Type Checking
13587
13588Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
13589arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
13590otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
13591errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
13592
13593@smallexample
13594int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
13595
13596(@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
13597$1 = 2
13598@exdent but
13599(@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13600Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13601@end smallexample
13602
13603The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13604@samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13605
13606For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13607@value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13608to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13609When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13610expressions like the second example above.
13611
13612Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13613related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13614For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13615a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13616with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13617little sense to evaluate anyway.
13618
13619@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13620
13621@kindex set check type
13622@kindex show check type
13623@table @code
13624@item set check type on
13625@itemx set check type off
13626Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13627evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13628message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13629
13630@item show check type
13631Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13632is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13633@end table
13634
13635@cindex range checking
13636@cindex checks, range
13637@node Range Checking
13638@subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13639
13640In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13641bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13642checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13643computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13644not exceed the bounds of the array.
13645
13646For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13647@value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13648always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13649warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13650
13651A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13652array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13653of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13654error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13655result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13656the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13657
13658@smallexample
13659@var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13660@end smallexample
13661
13662This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13663specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13664Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13665
13666@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13667
13668@kindex set check range
13669@kindex show check range
13670@table @code
13671@item set check range auto
13672Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13673@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13674each language.
13675
13676@item set check range on
13677@itemx set check range off
13678Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13679current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13680match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13681then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13682
13683@item set check range warn
13684Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13685but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13686expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13687memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13688systems).
13689
13690@item show range
13691Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13692being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13693@end table
13694
13695@node Supported Languages
13696@section Supported Languages
13697
13698@value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13699OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13700@c This is false ...
13701Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13702language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13703and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13704,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13705language.
13706
13707The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13708supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13709tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13710@value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13711formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13712books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13713language reference or tutorial.
13714
13715@menu
13716* C:: C and C@t{++}
13717* D:: D
13718* Go:: Go
13719* Objective-C:: Objective-C
13720* OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13721* Fortran:: Fortran
13722* Pascal:: Pascal
13723* Modula-2:: Modula-2
13724* Ada:: Ada
13725@end menu
13726
13727@node C
13728@subsection C and C@t{++}
13729
13730@cindex C and C@t{++}
13731@cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13732
13733Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13734to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13735together.
13736
13737@cindex C@t{++}
13738@cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13739@cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13740The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13741compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13742effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13743C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13744compiler (@code{aCC}).
13745
13746@menu
13747* C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13748* C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13749* C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13750* C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13751* C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13752* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13753* Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13754* Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13755@end menu
13756
13757@node C Operators
13758@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13759
13760@cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13761
13762Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13763@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13764often defined on groups of types.
13765
13766For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13767
13768@itemize @bullet
13769
13770@item
13771@emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13772specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13773
13774@item
13775@emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13776@code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13777
13778@item
13779@emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13780
13781@item
13782@emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13783
13784@end itemize
13785
13786@noindent
13787The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13788in order of increasing precedence:
13789
13790@table @code
13791@item ,
13792The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13793are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13794expression being the last expression evaluated.
13795
13796@item =
13797Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13798assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13799
13800@item @var{op}=
13801Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13802and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13803@w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence. The operator
13804@var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13805@code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13806
13807@item ?:
13808The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13809of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. The argument @var{a}
13810should be of an integral type.
13811
13812@item ||
13813Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13814
13815@item &&
13816Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13817
13818@item |
13819Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13820
13821@item ^
13822Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13823
13824@item &
13825Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13826
13827@item ==@r{, }!=
13828Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13829expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13830
13831@item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13832Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13833Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13834and non-zero for true.
13835
13836@item <<@r{, }>>
13837left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13838
13839@item @@
13840The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13841
13842@item +@r{, }-
13843Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13844pointer types.
13845
13846@item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13847Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13848defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13849integral types.
13850
13851@item ++@r{, }--
13852Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13853operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13854when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13855operation takes place.
13856
13857@item *
13858Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13859@code{++}.
13860
13861@item &
13862Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13863
13864For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13865allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13866to examine the address
13867where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13868stored.
13869
13870@item -
13871Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13872precedence as @code{++}.
13873
13874@item !
13875Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13876@code{++}.
13877
13878@item ~
13879Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13880@code{++}.
13881
13882
13883@item .@r{, }->
13884Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13885@value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13886pointer based on the stored type information.
13887Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13888
13889@item .*@r{, }->*
13890Dereferences of pointers to members.
13891
13892@item []
13893Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13894@code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13895
13896@item ()
13897Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13898
13899@item ::
13900C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13901and @code{class} types.
13902
13903@item ::
13904Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13905(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13906above.
13907@end table
13908
13909If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13910attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13911predefined meaning.
13912
13913@node C Constants
13914@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13915
13916@cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13917
13918@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13919following ways:
13920
13921@itemize @bullet
13922@item
13923Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13924specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13925by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13926@samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13927@code{long} value.
13928
13929@item
13930Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13931point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13932exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13933@samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13934sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13935A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13936@samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13937the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13938a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13939constant.
13940
13941@item
13942Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13943integral equivalents.
13944
13945@item
13946Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13947(@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13948(usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13949be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13950the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13951of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13952@samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13953@samp{\n} for newline.
13954
13955Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13956constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13957form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13958computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13959
13960@item
13961String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13962double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13963above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13964a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13965characters.
13966
13967Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13968with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13969computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13970
13971@item
13972Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13973to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13974
13975@item
13976Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13977and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13978integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13979and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13980@end itemize
13981
13982@node C Plus Plus Expressions
13983@subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13984
13985@cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13986@value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13987
13988@cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13989@cindex C@t{++} compilers
13990@cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13991@cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13992@quotation
13993@emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13994the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13995@value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13996with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13997debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13998popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13999work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
14000code. @xref{Compilation}.
14001@end quotation
14002
14003@enumerate
14004
14005@cindex member functions
14006@item
14007Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
14008
14009@smallexample
14010count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
14011@end smallexample
14012
14013@vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
14014@cindex namespace in C@t{++}
14015@item
14016While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
14017expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
14018that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
14019pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
14020declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
14021
14022@cindex call overloaded functions
14023@cindex overloaded functions, calling
14024@cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
14025@item
14026You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
14027call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
14028perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
14029calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
14030in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
14031default arguments.
14032
14033It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
14034promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
14035class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
14036functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
14037number of function arguments.
14038
14039Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
14040@code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
14041,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
14042
14043You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
14044explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
14045@smallexample
14046p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
14047@end smallexample
14048
14049The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
14050see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
14051
14052@cindex reference declarations
14053@item
14054@value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
14055them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
14056dereferenced.
14057
14058In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
14059reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
14060avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
14061The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
14062you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
14063
14064@item
14065@value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
14066expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
14067one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
14068necessary, for example in an expression like
14069@samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
14070resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
14071debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
14072
14073@item
14074@value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
14075specification.
14076@end enumerate
14077
14078@node C Defaults
14079@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
14080
14081@cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
14082
14083If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
14084defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
14085C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14086selects the working language.
14087
14088If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
14089recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
14090@file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
14091these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
14092@xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
14093for further details.
14094
14095@node C Checks
14096@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
14097
14098@cindex C and C@t{++} checks
14099
14100By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
14101checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
14102will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
14103constants to pointers.
14104
14105Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
14106indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
14107that is not itself an array.
14108
14109@node Debugging C
14110@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
14111
14112The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
14113the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
14114inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
14115appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
14116
14117The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
14118with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
14119,Expressions}.
14120
14121@node Debugging C Plus Plus
14122@subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
14123
14124@cindex commands for C@t{++}
14125
14126Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
14127designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
14128
14129@table @code
14130@cindex break in overloaded functions
14131@item @r{breakpoint menus}
14132When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
14133@value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
14134locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
14135@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
14136
14137@cindex overloading in C@t{++}
14138@item rbreak @var{regex}
14139Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
14140breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
14141classes.
14142@xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14143
14144@cindex C@t{++} exception handling
14145@item catch throw
14146@itemx catch rethrow
14147@itemx catch catch
14148Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
14149Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
14150
14151@cindex inheritance
14152@item ptype @var{typename}
14153Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
14154@var{typename}.
14155@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
14156
14157@item info vtbl @var{expression}.
14158The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
14159method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
14160one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
14161multiple inheritance is in use.
14162
14163@cindex C@t{++} symbol display
14164@item set print demangle
14165@itemx show print demangle
14166@itemx set print asm-demangle
14167@itemx show print asm-demangle
14168Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
14169displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
14170@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14171
14172@item set print object
14173@itemx show print object
14174Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
14175@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14176
14177@item set print vtbl
14178@itemx show print vtbl
14179Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
14180@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
14181(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
14182ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
14183
14184@kindex set overload-resolution
14185@cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
14186@item set overload-resolution on
14187Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
14188is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
14189and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
14190using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
14191Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
14192If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
14193
14194@item set overload-resolution off
14195Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
14196overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14197chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
14198symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
14199overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
14200searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
14201argument types.
14202
14203@kindex show overload-resolution
14204@item show overload-resolution
14205Show the current setting of overload resolution.
14206
14207@item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
14208You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
14209the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
14210@code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
14211also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
14212available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
14213@xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
14214@end table
14215
14216@node Decimal Floating Point
14217@subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
14218@cindex decimal floating point format
14219
14220@value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
14221decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
14222@code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
14223specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
14224
14225There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
14226Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
14227PowerPC and S/390. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the
14228configured target.
14229
14230Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
14231to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
14232(using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
14233
14234In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
14235point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
14236underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
14237
14238In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
14239to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
14240See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
14241
14242@node D
14243@subsection D
14244
14245@cindex D
14246@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
14247GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
14248specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
14249
14250@node Go
14251@subsection Go
14252
14253@cindex Go (programming language)
14254@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
14255@file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
14256
14257Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
14258
14259@table @code
14260@cindex current Go package
14261@item The current Go package
14262The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
14263specifying global variables and functions.
14264
14265For example, given the program:
14266
14267@example
14268package main
14269var myglob = "Shall we?"
14270func main () @{
14271 // ...
14272@}
14273@end example
14274
14275When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
14276
14277@example
14278(gdb) p myglob
14279(gdb) p main.myglob
14280@end example
14281
14282@cindex builtin Go types
14283@item Builtin Go types
14284The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
14285as a string.
14286
14287@cindex builtin Go functions
14288@item Builtin Go functions
14289The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
14290function and handles it internally.
14291
14292@cindex restrictions on Go expressions
14293@item Restrictions on Go expressions
14294All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
14295The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
14296Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
14297@end table
14298
14299@node Objective-C
14300@subsection Objective-C
14301
14302@cindex Objective-C
14303This section provides information about some commands and command
14304options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
14305@ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
14306few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
14307
14308@menu
14309* Method Names in Commands::
14310* The Print Command with Objective-C::
14311@end menu
14312
14313@node Method Names in Commands
14314@subsubsection Method Names in Commands
14315
14316The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
14317names as line specifications:
14318
14319@kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
14320@kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
14321@kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
14322@kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
14323@kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
14324@itemize
14325@item @code{clear}
14326@item @code{break}
14327@item @code{info line}
14328@item @code{jump}
14329@item @code{list}
14330@end itemize
14331
14332A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
14333
14334@smallexample
14335-[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
14336@end smallexample
14337
14338where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
14339plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
14340name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
14341brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
14342source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
14343instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
14344debugged, enter:
14345
14346@smallexample
14347break -[Fruit create]
14348@end smallexample
14349
14350To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
14351enter:
14352
14353@smallexample
14354list +[NSText initialize]
14355@end smallexample
14356
14357In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
14358required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
14359sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
14360is also possible to specify just a method name:
14361
14362@smallexample
14363break create
14364@end smallexample
14365
14366You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
14367your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
14368you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
14369method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
14370none apply.
14371
14372As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
14373@code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
14374
14375@smallexample
14376clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
14377@end smallexample
14378
14379@node The Print Command with Objective-C
14380@subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
14381@cindex Objective-C, print objects
14382@kindex print-object
14383@kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
14384
14385The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
14386
14387@smallexample
14388print -[@var{object} hash]
14389@end smallexample
14390
14391@cindex print an Objective-C object description
14392@cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
14393@noindent
14394will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
14395and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
14396@code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
14397the description of an object. However, this command may only work
14398with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
14399function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
14400
14401@node OpenCL C
14402@subsection OpenCL C
14403
14404@cindex OpenCL C
14405This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
14406
14407@menu
14408* OpenCL C Datatypes::
14409* OpenCL C Expressions::
14410* OpenCL C Operators::
14411@end menu
14412
14413@node OpenCL C Datatypes
14414@subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
14415
14416@cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
14417@value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
14418by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
14419data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
14420extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
14421
14422@node OpenCL C Expressions
14423@subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
14424
14425@cindex OpenCL C Expressions
14426@value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
14427lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
14428supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
14429
14430@node OpenCL C Operators
14431@subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
14432
14433@cindex OpenCL C Operators
14434@value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
14435vector data types.
14436
14437@node Fortran
14438@subsection Fortran
14439@cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14440
14441@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14442currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14443
14444@cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14445Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14446among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14447functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14448will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14449underscore.
14450
14451@menu
14452* Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14453* Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14454* Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14455@end menu
14456
14457@node Fortran Operators
14458@subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14459
14460@cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14461
14462Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14463@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14464arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14465
14466@table @code
14467@item **
14468The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14469of the second one.
14470
14471@item :
14472The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14473represent a section of array.
14474
14475@item %
14476The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14477types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14478this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14479union type.
14480@end table
14481
14482@node Fortran Defaults
14483@subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14484
14485@cindex Fortran Defaults
14486
14487Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14488default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14489change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14490@ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14491
14492@node Special Fortran Commands
14493@subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14494
14495@cindex Special Fortran commands
14496
14497@value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14498such as displaying common blocks.
14499
14500@table @code
14501@cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14502@kindex info common
14503@item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14504This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14505block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14506all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14507printed.
14508@end table
14509
14510@node Pascal
14511@subsection Pascal
14512
14513@cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14514Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14515nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14516entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14517syntax.
14518
14519The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14520controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14521@xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14522
14523@node Modula-2
14524@subsection Modula-2
14525
14526@cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14527
14528The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14529output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14530developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14531attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14532to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14533table.
14534
14535@cindex expressions in Modula-2
14536@menu
14537* M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14538* Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14539* M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14540* M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14541* M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14542* Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14543* M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14544* M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14545* GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14546@end menu
14547
14548@node M2 Operators
14549@subsubsection Operators
14550@cindex Modula-2 operators
14551
14552Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14553@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14554often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
14555following definitions hold:
14556
14557@itemize @bullet
14558
14559@item
14560@emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
14561their subranges.
14562
14563@item
14564@emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
14565
14566@item
14567@emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
14568
14569@item
14570@emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
14571@var{type}}.
14572
14573@item
14574@emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
14575
14576@item
14577@emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
14578
14579@item
14580@emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
14581@end itemize
14582
14583@noindent
14584The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
14585increasing precedence:
14586
14587@table @code
14588@item ,
14589Function argument or array index separator.
14590
14591@item :=
14592Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
14593@var{value}.
14594
14595@item <@r{, }>
14596Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
14597types.
14598
14599@item <=@r{, }>=
14600Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14601on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14602set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14603
14604@item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14605Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14606Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14607available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14608comment character.
14609
14610@item IN
14611Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14612Same precedence as @code{<}.
14613
14614@item OR
14615Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14616
14617@item AND@r{, }&
14618Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14619
14620@item @@
14621The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14622
14623@item +@r{, }-
14624Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14625and difference on set types.
14626
14627@item *
14628Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14629on set types.
14630
14631@item /
14632Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14633types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14634
14635@item DIV@r{, }MOD
14636Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14637precedence as @code{*}.
14638
14639@item -
14640Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14641
14642@item ^
14643Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14644
14645@item NOT
14646Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14647@code{^}.
14648
14649@item .
14650@code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14651precedence as @code{^}.
14652
14653@item []
14654Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14655
14656@item ()
14657Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14658as @code{^}.
14659
14660@item ::@r{, }.
14661@value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14662@end table
14663
14664@quotation
14665@emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14666treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14667@code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14668@code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14669@end quotation
14670
14671
14672@node Built-In Func/Proc
14673@subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14674@cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14675
14676Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14677In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14678
14679@table @var
14680
14681@item a
14682represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14683
14684@item c
14685represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14686
14687@item i
14688represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14689
14690@item m
14691represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14692same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14693be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14694
14695@item n
14696represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14697
14698@item r
14699represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14700
14701@item t
14702represents a type.
14703
14704@item v
14705represents a variable.
14706
14707@item x
14708represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14709explanation of the function for details.
14710@end table
14711
14712All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14713
14714@table @code
14715@item ABS(@var{n})
14716Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14717
14718@item CAP(@var{c})
14719If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14720equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14721
14722@item CHR(@var{i})
14723Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14724
14725@item DEC(@var{v})
14726Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14727
14728@item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14729Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14730new value.
14731
14732@item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14733Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14734set.
14735
14736@item FLOAT(@var{i})
14737Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14738
14739@item HIGH(@var{a})
14740Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14741
14742@item INC(@var{v})
14743Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14744
14745@item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14746Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14747new value.
14748
14749@item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14750Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14751there. Returns the new set.
14752
14753@item MAX(@var{t})
14754Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14755
14756@item MIN(@var{t})
14757Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14758
14759@item ODD(@var{i})
14760Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14761
14762@item ORD(@var{x})
14763Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14764value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting
14765the @sc{ascii} character set). The argument @var{x} must be of an
14766ordered type, which include integral, character and enumerated types.
14767
14768@item SIZE(@var{x})
14769Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
14770variable or a type.
14771
14772@item TRUNC(@var{r})
14773Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14774
14775@item TSIZE(@var{x})
14776Returns the size of its argument. The argument @var{x} can be a
14777variable or a type.
14778
14779@item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14780Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14781@end table
14782
14783@quotation
14784@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14785@value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14786an error.
14787@end quotation
14788
14789@cindex Modula-2 constants
14790@node M2 Constants
14791@subsubsection Constants
14792
14793@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14794ways:
14795
14796@itemize @bullet
14797
14798@item
14799Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14800expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14801rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14802trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14803
14804@item
14805Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14806decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14807then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14808@samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14809digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14810digits.
14811
14812@item
14813Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14814like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14815also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14816followed by a @samp{C}.
14817
14818@item
14819String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14820pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14821Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14822Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14823sequences.
14824
14825@item
14826Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14827
14828@item
14829Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14830@code{FALSE}.
14831
14832@item
14833Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14834
14835@item
14836Set constants are not yet supported.
14837@end itemize
14838
14839@node M2 Types
14840@subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14841@cindex Modula-2 types
14842
14843Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14844syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14845types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14846print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14847This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14848sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14849
14850The first example contains the following section of code:
14851
14852@smallexample
14853VAR
14854 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14855 r: [20..40] ;
14856@end smallexample
14857
14858@noindent
14859and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14860@code{r} and @code{s}.
14861
14862@smallexample
14863(@value{GDBP}) print s
14864@{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14865(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14866SET OF CHAR
14867(@value{GDBP}) print r
1486821
14869(@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14870[20..40]
14871@end smallexample
14872
14873@noindent
14874Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14875
14876@smallexample
14877VAR
14878 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14879@end smallexample
14880
14881@noindent
14882then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14883
14884@smallexample
14885(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14886type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14887@end smallexample
14888
14889@noindent
14890Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14891expressions using the debugger.
14892
14893The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14894and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14895
14896@smallexample
14897VAR
14898 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14899@end smallexample
14900
14901@smallexample
14902(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14903ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14904@end smallexample
14905
14906Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14907is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14908arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14909above.
14910
14911Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14912
14913@smallexample
14914TYPE
14915 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14916 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14917VAR
14918 s: t ;
14919BEGIN
14920 s := blue ;
14921@end smallexample
14922
14923@noindent
14924The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14925and value of a variable.
14926
14927@smallexample
14928(@value{GDBP}) print s
14929$1 = blue
14930(@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14931type = [blue..yellow]
14932@end smallexample
14933
14934@noindent
14935In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14936displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14937their @code{C} counterparts.
14938
14939@smallexample
14940VAR
14941 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14942BEGIN
14943 s[1] := 1 ;
14944@end smallexample
14945
14946@smallexample
14947(@value{GDBP}) print s
14948$1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14949(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14950type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14951@end smallexample
14952
14953The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14954pointer types as shown in this example:
14955
14956@smallexample
14957VAR
14958 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14959BEGIN
14960 NEW(s) ;
14961 s^[1] := 1 ;
14962@end smallexample
14963
14964@noindent
14965and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14966
14967@smallexample
14968(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14969type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14970@end smallexample
14971
14972@value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14973Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14974types:
14975
14976@smallexample
14977TYPE
14978 foo = RECORD
14979 f1: CARDINAL ;
14980 f2: CHAR ;
14981 f3: myarray ;
14982 END ;
14983
14984 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14985 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14986VAR
14987 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14988@end smallexample
14989
14990@noindent
14991and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14992below.
14993
14994@smallexample
14995(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14996type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14997 f1 : CARDINAL;
14998 f2 : CHAR;
14999 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
15000END
15001@end smallexample
15002
15003@node M2 Defaults
15004@subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
15005@cindex Modula-2 defaults
15006
15007If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
15008both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
15009Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
15010selected the working language.
15011
15012If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
15013code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
15014working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
15015Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
15016
15017@node Deviations
15018@subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
15019@cindex Modula-2, deviations from
15020
15021A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
15022This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
15023
15024@itemize @bullet
15025@item
15026Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
15027integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
15028debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
15029pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
15030through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
15031returned a pointer.)
15032
15033@item
15034C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
15035non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
15036escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
15037printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
15038
15039@item
15040The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
15041argument.
15042
15043@item
15044All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
15045@end itemize
15046
15047@node M2 Checks
15048@subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
15049@cindex Modula-2 checks
15050
15051@quotation
15052@emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
15053range checking.
15054@end quotation
15055@c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
15056
15057@value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
15058
15059@itemize @bullet
15060@item
15061They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
15062@var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
15063
15064@item
15065They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
15066@sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
15067@end itemize
15068
15069As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
15070whose types are not equivalent is an error.
15071
15072Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
15073index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
15074
15075@node M2 Scope
15076@subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
15077@cindex scope
15078@cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
15079@cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
15080@ifinfo
15081@vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
15082@c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
15083@end ifinfo
15084@ifnotinfo
15085@vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
15086@end ifnotinfo
15087
15088There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
15089(@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
15090similar syntax:
15091
15092@smallexample
15093
15094@var{module} . @var{id}
15095@var{scope} :: @var{id}
15096@end smallexample
15097
15098@noindent
15099where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
15100@var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
15101identifier within your program, except another module.
15102
15103Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
15104specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
15105found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
15106enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
15107
15108Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
15109the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
15110definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
15111an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
15112module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
15113@var{module}.
15114
15115@node GDB/M2
15116@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
15117
15118Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
15119Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
15120specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
15121@samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
15122apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
15123analogue in Modula-2.
15124
15125The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
15126with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
15127intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
15128created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
15129address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
15130@samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
15131
15132@cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
15133In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
15134interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
15135
15136@node Ada
15137@subsection Ada
15138@cindex Ada
15139
15140The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
15141output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
15142Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
15143attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
15144to be difficult.
15145
15146
15147@cindex expressions in Ada
15148@menu
15149* Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
15150 and semantics supported by Ada mode
15151 in @value{GDBN}.
15152* Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
15153* Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
15154* Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
15155* Ada Exceptions:: Ada Exceptions
15156* Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
15157* Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15158* Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
15159 Profile
15160* Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
15161@end menu
15162
15163@node Ada Mode Intro
15164@subsubsection Introduction
15165@cindex Ada mode, general
15166
15167The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
15168syntax, with some extensions.
15169The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
15170
15171@itemize @bullet
15172@item
15173That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
15174arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
15175leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
15176program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
15177
15178@item
15179That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
15180are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15181
15182@item
15183That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
15184@end itemize
15185
15186Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
15187user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
15188according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
15189names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
15190ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
15191
15192The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
15193As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
15194was translated from an Ada source file.
15195
15196While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
15197mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
15198(@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
15199middle (to allow based literals).
15200
15201The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
15202the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
15203actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
15204the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
15205procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
15206functions to procedures elsewhere.
15207
15208@node Omissions from Ada
15209@subsubsection Omissions from Ada
15210@cindex Ada, omissions from
15211
15212Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
15213
15214@itemize @bullet
15215@item
15216Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
15217
15218@itemize @minus
15219@item
15220@t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
15221 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
15222
15223@item
15224@t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
15225
15226@item
15227@t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
15228
15229@item
15230@t{'Tag}.
15231
15232@item
15233@t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
15234operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
15235
15236@item
15237@t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
15238@t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
15239
15240@item
15241@t{'Address}.
15242@end itemize
15243
15244@item
15245The names in
15246@code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
15247concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
15248not currently available.
15249
15250@item
15251Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
15252equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
15253for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
15254They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
15255types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
15256(in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
15257zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
15258indeterminate values.
15259
15260@item
15261The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
15262@code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
15263are not implemented.
15264
15265@item
15266@cindex array aggregates (Ada)
15267@cindex record aggregates (Ada)
15268@cindex aggregates (Ada)
15269There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
15270permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
15271
15272@smallexample
15273(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
15274(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
15275(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
15276(@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
15277(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
15278(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
15279@end smallexample
15280
15281Changing a
15282discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
15283undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
15284However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
15285them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
15286aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
15287declared to have a type such as:
15288
15289@smallexample
15290type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
15291 Id : Integer;
15292 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
15293end record;
15294@end smallexample
15295
15296you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
15297assignments:
15298
15299@smallexample
15300(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
15301(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
15302@end smallexample
15303
15304As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
15305rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
15306components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
15307component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
15308original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
15309indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
15310redundant component associations, although which component values are
15311assigned in such cases is not defined.
15312
15313@item
15314Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
15315
15316@item
15317The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
15318than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
15319which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
15320looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
15321function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
15322the proper resolution.
15323
15324@item
15325The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
15326
15327@item
15328Entry calls are not implemented.
15329
15330@item
15331Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
15332formats are not supported.
15333
15334@item
15335It is not possible to slice a packed array.
15336
15337@item
15338The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
15339are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
15340context.
15341Should your program
15342redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
15343you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
15344@end itemize
15345
15346@node Additions to Ada
15347@subsubsection Additions to Ada
15348@cindex Ada, deviations from
15349
15350As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
15351extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
15352
15353@itemize @bullet
15354@item
15355If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
15356a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
15357then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
15358@var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
15359Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
15360in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
15361Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
15362which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
15363
15364@item
15365@code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
15366appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
15367you must typically surround it in single quotes.
15368
15369@item
15370The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
15371@var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
15372
15373@item
15374A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
15375(@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
15376@end itemize
15377
15378In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
15379additions specific to Ada:
15380
15381@itemize @bullet
15382@item
15383The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
15384its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
15385
15386@smallexample
15387(@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
15388(@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
15389@end smallexample
15390
15391@item
15392The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
15393the value of its right-hand operand.
15394This allows, for example,
15395complex conditional breaks:
15396
15397@smallexample
15398(@value{GDBP}) break f
15399(@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
15400@end smallexample
15401
15402@item
15403Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
15404characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
15405which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
15406@samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
15407(single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
15408sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
15409in strings. For example,
15410@smallexample
15411 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
15412@end smallexample
15413@noindent
15414contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
15415after each period.
15416
15417@item
15418The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
15419@t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
15420to write
15421
15422@smallexample
15423(@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
15424@end smallexample
15425
15426@item
15427When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
15428array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
15429For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
15430of 3 might print as
15431
15432@smallexample
15433(3 => 10, 17, 1)
15434@end smallexample
15435
15436@noindent
15437That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
15438clause.
15439
15440@item
15441You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
15442multi-character subsequence of
15443their names (an exact match gets preference).
15444For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15445in place of @t{a'length}.
15446
15447@item
15448@cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15449Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15450to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15451some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15452For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15453enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15454For example,
15455@smallexample
15456(@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15457@end smallexample
15458
15459@item
15460Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15461access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15462specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15463selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15464object.
15465
15466@end itemize
15467
15468@node Stopping Before Main Program
15469@subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15470
15471@cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15472It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15473before reaching the main procedure.
15474As defined in the Ada Reference
15475Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15476@code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15477elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15478@code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15479
15480@node Ada Exceptions
15481@subsubsection Ada Exceptions
15482
15483A command is provided to list all Ada exceptions:
15484
15485@table @code
15486@kindex info exceptions
15487@item info exceptions
15488@itemx info exceptions @var{regexp}
15489The @code{info exceptions} command allows you to list all Ada exceptions
15490defined within the program being debugged, as well as their addresses.
15491With a regular expression, @var{regexp}, as argument, only those exceptions
15492whose names match @var{regexp} are listed.
15493@end table
15494
15495Below is a small example, showing how the command can be used, first
15496without argument, and next with a regular expression passed as an
15497argument.
15498
15499@smallexample
15500(@value{GDBP}) info exceptions
15501All defined Ada exceptions:
15502constraint_error: 0x613da0
15503program_error: 0x613d20
15504storage_error: 0x613ce0
15505tasking_error: 0x613ca0
15506const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15507(@value{GDBP}) info exceptions const.aint
15508All Ada exceptions matching regular expression "const.aint":
15509constraint_error: 0x613da0
15510const.aint_global_e: 0x613b00
15511@end smallexample
15512
15513It is also possible to ask @value{GDBN} to stop your program's execution
15514when an exception is raised. For more details, see @ref{Set Catchpoints}.
15515
15516@node Ada Tasks
15517@subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
15518@cindex Ada, tasking
15519
15520Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
15521@value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
15522
15523@table @code
15524@kindex info tasks
15525@item info tasks
15526This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
15527
15528
15529@smallexample
15530@iftex
15531@leftskip=0.5cm
15532@end iftex
15533(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15534 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15535 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15536 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
15537 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
15538* 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
15539
15540@end smallexample
15541
15542@noindent
15543In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
15544task currently being inspected.
15545
15546@table @asis
15547@item ID
15548Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
15549
15550@item TID
15551The Ada task ID.
15552
15553@item P-ID
15554The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
15555
15556@item Pri
15557The base priority of the task.
15558
15559@item State
15560Current state of the task.
15561
15562@table @code
15563@item Unactivated
15564The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
15565executing.
15566
15567@item Runnable
15568The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
15569for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
15570
15571@item Terminated
15572The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
15573that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
15574terminated themselves.
15575
15576@item Child Activation Wait
15577The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
15578
15579@item Accept Statement
15580The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
15581
15582@item Waiting on entry call
15583The task is waiting on an entry call.
15584
15585@item Async Select Wait
15586The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
15587select statement.
15588
15589@item Delay Sleep
15590The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
15591alternative open.
15592
15593@item Child Termination Wait
15594The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
15595waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
15596waiting on a terminate Phase.
15597
15598@item Wait Child in Term Alt
15599The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
15600finish terminating.
15601
15602@item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
15603The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
15604@end table
15605
15606@item Name
15607Name of the task in the program.
15608
15609@end table
15610
15611@kindex info task @var{taskno}
15612@item info task @var{taskno}
15613This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
15614the following example:
15615@smallexample
15616@iftex
15617@leftskip=0.5cm
15618@end iftex
15619(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15620 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15621 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15622* 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
15623(@value{GDBP}) info task 2
15624Ada Task: 0x807c468
15625Name: task_1
15626Thread: 0x807f378
15627Parent: 1 (main_task)
15628Base Priority: 15
15629State: Runnable
15630@end smallexample
15631
15632@item task
15633@kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
15634@cindex current Ada task ID
15635This command prints the ID of the current task.
15636
15637@smallexample
15638@iftex
15639@leftskip=0.5cm
15640@end iftex
15641(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15642 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15643 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15644* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15645(@value{GDBP}) task
15646[Current task is 2]
15647@end smallexample
15648
15649@item task @var{taskno}
15650@cindex Ada task switching
15651This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15652command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15653from the current task to the given task.
15654
15655@smallexample
15656@iftex
15657@leftskip=0.5cm
15658@end iftex
15659(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15660 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15661 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15662* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15663(@value{GDBP}) task 1
15664[Switching to task 1]
15665#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15666(@value{GDBP}) bt
15667#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15668#1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15669#2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15670#3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15671#4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15672@end smallexample
15673
15674@item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15675@itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15676@cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15677@cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15678@kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15679These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15680command (@pxref{Thread Stops}). The
15681@var{linespec} argument specifies source lines, as described
15682in @ref{Specify Location}.
15683
15684Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15685to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15686particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. The @var{taskno} is one of the
15687numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15688column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15689
15690If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15691breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15692program.
15693
15694You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15695well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15696breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15697
15698For example,
15699
15700@smallexample
15701@iftex
15702@leftskip=0.5cm
15703@end iftex
15704(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15705 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15706 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15707 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15708 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15709* 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15710(@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15711Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15712(@value{GDBP}) cont
15713Continuing.
15714task # 1 running
15715task # 2 running
15716
15717Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
1571815 flush;
15719(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15720 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15721 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15722* 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15723 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15724 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15725@end smallexample
15726@end table
15727
15728@node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15729@subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15730@cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15731
15732When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15733tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15734the platform being used.
15735For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15736switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15737as usual.
15738
15739On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15740memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15741a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15742privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15743Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15744file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15745
15746@node Ravenscar Profile
15747@subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15748@cindex Ravenscar Profile
15749
15750The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15751specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15752requirements.
15753
15754@table @code
15755@kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15756@cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15757@item set ravenscar task-switching on
15758Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15759Profile. This is the default.
15760
15761@kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15762@item set ravenscar task-switching off
15763Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15764Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15765for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15766the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15767To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15768
15769@kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15770@item show ravenscar task-switching
15771Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15772using the Ravenscar Profile.
15773
15774@end table
15775
15776@node Ada Glitches
15777@subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15778@cindex Ada, problems
15779
15780Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15781we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15782@value{GDBN},
15783some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15784and the GNU Ada compiler.
15785
15786@itemize @bullet
15787@item
15788Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15789storage are invisible to the debugger.
15790
15791@item
15792Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15793argument lists are treated as positional).
15794
15795@item
15796Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15797
15798@item
15799Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15800floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15801the host machine.
15802
15803@item
15804The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15805the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15806this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15807look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15808symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15809defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15810local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15811GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15812you can usually resolve the confusion
15813by qualifying the problematic names with package
15814@code{Standard} explicitly.
15815@end itemize
15816
15817Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15818information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15819of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15820around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15821to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15822enabled.
15823
15824@kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15825@kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15826@table @code
15827
15828@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15829Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15830value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15831types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15832a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15833This is the default.
15834
15835@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15836This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15837sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15838trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15839the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15840@code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15841recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15842
15843@end table
15844
15845@cindex GNAT descriptive types
15846@cindex GNAT encoding
15847Internally, the debugger also relies on the compiler following a number
15848of conventions known as the @samp{GNAT Encoding}, all documented in
15849@file{gcc/ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources. This encoding describes
15850how the debugging information should be generated for certain types.
15851In particular, this convention makes use of @dfn{descriptive types},
15852which are artificial types generated purely to help the debugger.
15853
15854These encodings were defined at a time when the debugging information
15855format used was not powerful enough to describe some of the more complex
15856types available in Ada. Since DWARF allows us to express nearly all
15857Ada features, the long-term goal is to slowly replace these descriptive
15858types by their pure DWARF equivalent. To facilitate that transition,
15859a new maintenance option is available to force the debugger to ignore
15860those descriptive types. It allows the user to quickly evaluate how
15861well @value{GDBN} works without them.
15862
15863@table @code
15864
15865@kindex maint ada set ignore-descriptive-types
15866@item maintenance ada set ignore-descriptive-types [on|off]
15867Control whether the debugger should ignore descriptive types.
15868The default is not to ignore descriptives types (@code{off}).
15869
15870@kindex maint ada show ignore-descriptive-types
15871@item maintenance ada show ignore-descriptive-types
15872Show if descriptive types are ignored by @value{GDBN}.
15873
15874@end table
15875
15876@node Unsupported Languages
15877@section Unsupported Languages
15878
15879@cindex unsupported languages
15880@cindex minimal language
15881In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15882@value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15883It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15884of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15885This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15886an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15887
15888If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15889select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15890language.
15891
15892@node Symbols
15893@chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15894
15895The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15896symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15897program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15898does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15899program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15900(@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15901file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15902
15903@cindex symbol names
15904@cindex names of symbols
15905@cindex quoting names
15906Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15907characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15908most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15909source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15910are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15911ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15912@samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15913@samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15914
15915@smallexample
15916p 'foo.c'::x
15917@end smallexample
15918
15919@noindent
15920looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15921
15922@table @code
15923@cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15924@cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15925@kindex set case-sensitive
15926@item set case-sensitive on
15927@itemx set case-sensitive off
15928@itemx set case-sensitive auto
15929Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15930with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15931Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15932case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15933case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15934you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15935suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15936matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15937case-insensitive matches.
15938
15939@kindex show case-sensitive
15940@item show case-sensitive
15941This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15942lookups.
15943
15944@kindex set print type methods
15945@item set print type methods
15946@itemx set print type methods on
15947@itemx set print type methods off
15948Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15949declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15950passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15951print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15952display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15953cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15954
15955@kindex show print type methods
15956@item show print type methods
15957This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15958classes.
15959
15960@kindex set print type typedefs
15961@item set print type typedefs
15962@itemx set print type typedefs on
15963@itemx set print type typedefs off
15964
15965Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15966defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15967passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15968print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15969display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15970@code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15971Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15972printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15973types.
15974
15975@kindex show print type typedefs
15976@item show print type typedefs
15977This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15978printing classes.
15979
15980@kindex info address
15981@cindex address of a symbol
15982@item info address @var{symbol}
15983Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15984variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15985local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15986is always stored.
15987
15988Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15989at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15990the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15991
15992@kindex info symbol
15993@cindex symbol from address
15994@cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15995@item info symbol @var{addr}
15996Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15997If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15998nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15999
16000@smallexample
16001(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
16002_initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
16003@end smallexample
16004
16005@noindent
16006This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
16007it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
16008
16009For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
16010library containing the symbol is also printed:
16011
16012@smallexample
16013(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
16014_start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
16015(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
16016__read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
16017@end smallexample
16018
16019@kindex whatis
16020@item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16021Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
16022or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
16023@code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16024
16025If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
16026is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
16027assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
16028
16029If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
16030literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
16031defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
16032the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
16033variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
16034@code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
16035fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
16036name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
16037such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
16038
16039If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
16040@code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
16041Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
16042in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
16043underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
16044unroll it.
16045
16046For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
16047@var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
16048@var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
16049
16050@var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
16051Available flags are:
16052
16053@table @code
16054@item r
16055Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
16056parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
16057members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
16058
16059@item m
16060Do not print methods defined in the class.
16061
16062@item M
16063Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16064exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
16065
16066@item t
16067Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
16068whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
16069names are substituted when printing other types.
16070
16071@item T
16072Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
16073exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
16074@end table
16075
16076@kindex ptype
16077@item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
16078@code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
16079detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
16080@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
16081
16082Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
16083@code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
16084a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
16085of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
16086present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
16087the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
16088fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
16089@code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
16090
16091For example, for this variable declaration:
16092
16093@smallexample
16094typedef double real_t;
16095struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
16096typedef struct complex complex_t;
16097complex_t var;
16098real_t *real_pointer_var;
16099@end smallexample
16100
16101@noindent
16102the two commands give this output:
16103
16104@smallexample
16105@group
16106(@value{GDBP}) whatis var
16107type = complex_t
16108(@value{GDBP}) ptype var
16109type = struct complex @{
16110 real_t real;
16111 double imag;
16112@}
16113(@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
16114type = struct complex
16115(@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
16116type = struct complex
16117(@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
16118type = struct complex @{
16119 real_t real;
16120 double imag;
16121@}
16122(@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
16123type = real_t *
16124(@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
16125type = double *
16126@end group
16127@end smallexample
16128
16129@noindent
16130As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
16131the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
16132
16133@cindex incomplete type
16134Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
16135of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
16136program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
16137the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
16138given these declarations:
16139
16140@smallexample
16141 struct foo;
16142 struct foo *fooptr;
16143@end smallexample
16144
16145@noindent
16146but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
16147
16148@smallexample
16149 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
16150 $1 = <incomplete type>
16151@end smallexample
16152
16153@noindent
16154``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
16155completely specified.
16156
16157@kindex info types
16158@item info types @var{regexp}
16159@itemx info types
16160Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
16161expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
16162no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
16163complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
16164types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
16165@samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
16166name is @code{value}.
16167
16168This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
16169@code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
16170lists all source files where a type is defined.
16171
16172@kindex info type-printers
16173@item info type-printers
16174Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
16175have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
16176@command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
16177is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
16178type printers.
16179
16180@code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
16181
16182@kindex enable type-printer
16183@kindex disable type-printer
16184@item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16185@item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
16186These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
16187
16188@kindex info scope
16189@cindex local variables
16190@item info scope @var{location}
16191List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
16192accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
16193an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
16194to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
16195details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
16196
16197@smallexample
16198(@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
16199Scope for command_line_handler:
16200Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
16201Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
16202Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
16203Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
16204Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
16205Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
16206Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
16207@end smallexample
16208
16209@noindent
16210This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
16211during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
16212collect}.
16213
16214@kindex info source
16215@item info source
16216Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
16217the function containing the current point of execution:
16218@itemize @bullet
16219@item
16220the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
16221@item
16222the directory it was compiled in,
16223@item
16224its length, in lines,
16225@item
16226which programming language it is written in,
16227@item
16228whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
16229if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
16230@item
16231whether the debugging information includes information about
16232preprocessor macros.
16233@end itemize
16234
16235
16236@kindex info sources
16237@item info sources
16238Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
16239debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
16240have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
16241
16242@kindex info functions
16243@item info functions
16244Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
16245
16246@item info functions @var{regexp}
16247Print the names and data types of all defined functions
16248whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
16249Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
16250include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
16251start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
16252that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
16253@samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
16254
16255@kindex info variables
16256@item info variables
16257Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
16258outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
16259
16260@item info variables @var{regexp}
16261Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
16262variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
16263@var{regexp}.
16264
16265@kindex info classes
16266@cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
16267@item info classes
16268@itemx info classes @var{regexp}
16269Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
16270(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16271expression.
16272
16273@kindex info selectors
16274@item info selectors
16275@itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
16276Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
16277(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
16278expression.
16279
16280@ignore
16281This was never implemented.
16282@kindex info methods
16283@item info methods
16284@itemx info methods @var{regexp}
16285The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
16286methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
16287specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
16288C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
16289from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
16290@code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
16291which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
16292@end ignore
16293
16294@cindex opaque data types
16295@kindex set opaque-type-resolution
16296@item set opaque-type-resolution on
16297Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
16298declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
16299@code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
16300source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
16301another source file. The default is on.
16302
16303A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
16304the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
16305
16306@item set opaque-type-resolution off
16307Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
16308is printed as follows:
16309@smallexample
16310@{<no data fields>@}
16311@end smallexample
16312
16313@kindex show opaque-type-resolution
16314@item show opaque-type-resolution
16315Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
16316
16317@kindex set print symbol-loading
16318@cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
16319@item set print symbol-loading
16320@itemx set print symbol-loading full
16321@itemx set print symbol-loading brief
16322@itemx set print symbol-loading off
16323The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to control the
16324printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbol information.
16325By default a message is printed for the executable and one for each
16326shared library, and normally this is what you want. However, when
16327debugging apps with large numbers of shared libraries these messages
16328can be annoying.
16329When set to @code{brief} a message is printed for each executable,
16330and when @value{GDBN} loads a collection of shared libraries at once
16331it will only print one message regardless of the number of shared
16332libraries. When set to @code{off} no messages are printed.
16333
16334@kindex show print symbol-loading
16335@item show print symbol-loading
16336Show whether messages will be printed when a @value{GDBN} command
16337entered from the keyboard causes symbol information to be loaded.
16338
16339@kindex maint print symbols
16340@cindex symbol dump
16341@kindex maint print psymbols
16342@cindex partial symbol dump
16343@kindex maint print msymbols
16344@cindex minimal symbol dump
16345@item maint print symbols @var{filename}
16346@itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
16347@itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
16348Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
16349These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
16350symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
16351symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
16352collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
16353only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
16354command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
16355use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
16356symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
16357files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
16358@samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
16359required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
16360@xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
16361@value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
16362
16363@kindex maint info symtabs
16364@kindex maint info psymtabs
16365@cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
16366@cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16367@cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16368@cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
16369@item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16370@itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
16371
16372List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
16373structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
16374given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
16375copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
16376structure in more detail. For example:
16377
16378@smallexample
16379(@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
16380@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16381 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16382 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16383 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
16384 readin no
16385 fullname (null)
16386 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
16387 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
16388 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
16389 dependencies (none)
16390 @}
16391@}
16392(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16393(@value{GDBP})
16394@end smallexample
16395@noindent
16396We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
16397the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
16398and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
16399If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
16400read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
16401
16402@smallexample
16403(@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
16404Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
16405line 1574.
16406(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
16407@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
16408 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
16409 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
16410 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
16411 dirname (null)
16412 fullname (null)
16413 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
16414 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
16415 debugformat DWARF 2
16416 @}
16417@}
16418(@value{GDBP})
16419@end smallexample
16420@end table
16421
16422
16423@node Altering
16424@chapter Altering Execution
16425
16426Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
16427find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
16428correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
16429experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
16430program.
16431
16432For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
16433locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
16434address, or even return prematurely from a function.
16435
16436@menu
16437* Assignment:: Assignment to variables
16438* Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
16439* Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
16440* Returning:: Returning from a function
16441* Calling:: Calling your program's functions
16442* Patching:: Patching your program
16443@end menu
16444
16445@node Assignment
16446@section Assignment to Variables
16447
16448@cindex assignment
16449@cindex setting variables
16450To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
16451@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
16452
16453@smallexample
16454print x=4
16455@end smallexample
16456
16457@noindent
16458stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
16459value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
16460@xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
16461information on operators in supported languages.
16462
16463@kindex set variable
16464@cindex variables, setting
16465If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
16466@code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
16467really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
16468not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
16469,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
16470
16471If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
16472appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
16473variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
16474to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
16475program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
16476a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
16477command @code{set width}:
16478
16479@smallexample
16480(@value{GDBP}) whatis width
16481type = double
16482(@value{GDBP}) p width
16483$4 = 13
16484(@value{GDBP}) set width=47
16485Invalid syntax in expression.
16486@end smallexample
16487
16488@noindent
16489The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
16490order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
16491
16492@smallexample
16493(@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
16494@end smallexample
16495
16496Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
16497with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
16498@code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
16499your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
16500to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
16501the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
16502
16503@smallexample
16504@group
16505(@value{GDBP}) whatis g
16506type = double
16507(@value{GDBP}) p g
16508$1 = 1
16509(@value{GDBP}) set g=4
16510(@value{GDBP}) p g
16511$2 = 1
16512(@value{GDBP}) r
16513The program being debugged has been started already.
16514Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
16515Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
16516"/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
16517 Invalid bfd target.
16518(@value{GDBP}) show g
16519The current BFD target is "=4".
16520@end group
16521@end smallexample
16522
16523@noindent
16524The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
16525@code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
16526@code{g}, use
16527
16528@smallexample
16529(@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
16530@end smallexample
16531
16532@value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
16533freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
16534and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
16535same length or shorter.
16536@comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
16537@comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
16538
16539To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
16540construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
16541(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
16542to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
16543and representation in memory), and
16544
16545@smallexample
16546set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
16547@end smallexample
16548
16549@noindent
16550stores the value 4 into that memory location.
16551
16552@node Jumping
16553@section Continuing at a Different Address
16554
16555Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
16556it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
16557an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
16558
16559@table @code
16560@kindex jump
16561@kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
16562@item jump @var{linespec}
16563@itemx j @var{linespec}
16564@itemx jump @var{location}
16565@itemx j @var{location}
16566Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
16567@var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
16568breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
16569different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
16570practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
16571@code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
16572
16573The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
16574the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
16575register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
16576a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
16577be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
16578of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
16579confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
16580executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
16581well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
16582@end table
16583
16584@c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
16585On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
16586command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
16587difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
16588changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
16589example,
16590
16591@smallexample
16592set $pc = 0x485
16593@end smallexample
16594
16595@noindent
16596makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
16597address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
16598@xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
16599
16600The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
16601up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
16602that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
16603detail.
16604
16605@c @group
16606@node Signaling
16607@section Giving your Program a Signal
16608@cindex deliver a signal to a program
16609
16610@table @code
16611@kindex signal
16612@item signal @var{signal}
16613Resume execution where your program is stopped, but immediately give it the
16614signal @var{signal}. The @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
16615signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
16616SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16617
16618Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
16619giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
16620a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16621@code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
16622signal.
16623
16624@emph{Note:} When resuming a multi-threaded program, @var{signal} is
16625delivered to the currently selected thread, not the thread that last
16626reported a stop. This includes the situation where a thread was
16627stopped due to a signal. So if you want to continue execution
16628suppressing the signal that stopped a thread, you should select that
16629same thread before issuing the @samp{signal 0} command. If you issue
16630the @samp{signal 0} command with another thread as the selected one,
16631@value{GDBN} detects that and asks for confirmation.
16632
16633Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
16634@code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
16635causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
16636the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
16637passes the signal directly to your program.
16638
16639@code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
16640after executing the command.
16641
16642@kindex queue-signal
16643@item queue-signal @var{signal}
16644Queue @var{signal} to be delivered immediately to the current thread
16645when execution of the thread resumes. The @var{signal} can be the name or
16646the number of a signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and
16647@code{signal SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16648The handling of the signal must be set to pass the signal to the program,
16649otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error.
16650You can control the handling of signals from @value{GDBN} with the
16651@code{handle} command (@pxref{Signals}).
16652
16653Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, any currently queued signal
16654for the current thread is discarded and when execution resumes no signal
16655will be delivered. This is useful when your program stopped on account
16656of a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16657@code{continue} command.
16658
16659This command differs from the @code{signal} command in that the signal
16660is just queued, execution is not resumed. And @code{queue-signal} cannot
16661be used to pass a signal whose handling state has been set to @code{nopass}
16662(@pxref{Signals}).
16663@end table
16664@c @end group
16665
16666@node Returning
16667@section Returning from a Function
16668
16669@table @code
16670@cindex returning from a function
16671@kindex return
16672@item return
16673@itemx return @var{expression}
16674You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
16675command. If you give an
16676@var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
16677value.
16678@end table
16679
16680When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
16681(and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
16682discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
16683be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
16684
16685This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
16686Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
16687innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
16688specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
16689of functions.
16690
16691The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
16692program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
16693returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
16694and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
16695selected stack frame returns naturally.
16696
16697@value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
16698the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
16699type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
16700OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
16701CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
16702registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
16703specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
16704current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
16705assignment into the right register(s).
16706
16707Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
16708use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
16709debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
16710function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
16711int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
16712into a @code{long long int}:
16713
16714@smallexample
16715Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
1671629 return 31;
16717(@value{GDBP}) return -1
16718Make func return now? (y or n) y
16719#0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
1672043 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
16721(@value{GDBP})
16722@end smallexample
16723
16724However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16725function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16726to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16727in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16728typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16729of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16730architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16731an appropriate cast explicitly:
16732
16733@smallexample
16734Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16735(@value{GDBP}) return -1
16736Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16737Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16738(@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16739Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16740#0 0x00400526 in main ()
16741(@value{GDBP})
16742@end smallexample
16743
16744@node Calling
16745@section Calling Program Functions
16746
16747@table @code
16748@cindex calling functions
16749@cindex inferior functions, calling
16750@item print @var{expr}
16751Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16752The expression may include calls to functions in the program being
16753debugged.
16754
16755@kindex call
16756@item call @var{expr}
16757Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16758returned values.
16759
16760You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16761execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16762(a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16763with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16764print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16765value history.
16766@end table
16767
16768It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16769@code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16770the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16771in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16772
16773Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16774call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16775exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16776frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16777an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16778dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16779seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16780in that case is controlled by the
16781@code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16782
16783@table @code
16784@item set unwindonsignal
16785@kindex set unwindonsignal
16786@cindex unwind stack in called functions
16787@cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16788Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16789that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16790@value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16791the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16792default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16793received.
16794
16795@item show unwindonsignal
16796@kindex show unwindonsignal
16797Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16798@value{GDBN}.
16799
16800@item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16801@kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16802@cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16803@cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16804Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16805unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16806debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16807it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16808the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16809the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16810
16811@item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16812@kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16813Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16814@value{GDBN}.
16815
16816@end table
16817
16818@cindex weak alias functions
16819Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16820for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16821the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16822which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16823As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16824even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16825function instead.
16826
16827@node Patching
16828@section Patching Programs
16829
16830@cindex patching binaries
16831@cindex writing into executables
16832@cindex writing into corefiles
16833
16834By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16835executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16836alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16837patching your program's binary.
16838
16839If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16840explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16841want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16842repairs.
16843
16844@table @code
16845@kindex set write
16846@item set write on
16847@itemx set write off
16848If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16849core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16850off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16851
16852If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16853@code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16854write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16855
16856@item show write
16857@kindex show write
16858Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16859as well as reading.
16860@end table
16861
16862@node GDB Files
16863@chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16864
16865@value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16866both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16867program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16868@value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16869
16870@menu
16871* Files:: Commands to specify files
16872* Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16873* MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16874* Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16875* Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16876* Data Files:: GDB data files
16877@end menu
16878
16879@node Files
16880@section Commands to Specify Files
16881
16882@cindex symbol table
16883@cindex core dump file
16884
16885You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16886way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16887@value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16888Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16889
16890Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16891@value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16892specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16893via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16894Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16895new files are useful.
16896
16897@table @code
16898@cindex executable file
16899@kindex file
16900@item file @var{filename}
16901Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16902symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16903executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16904directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16905@value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16906directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16907to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16908and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16909
16910@cindex unlinked object files
16911@cindex patching object files
16912You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16913the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16914file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16915if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16916@kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16917that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16918case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16919the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16920
16921@item file
16922@code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16923has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16924
16925@kindex exec-file
16926@item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16927Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16928in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16929if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16930discard information on the executable file.
16931
16932@kindex symbol-file
16933@item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16934Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16935searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16936table and program to run from the same file.
16937
16938@code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16939program's symbol table.
16940
16941The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16942some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16943contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16944which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16945@value{GDBN}.
16946
16947@code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16948executing it once.
16949
16950When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16951understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16952generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16953other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16954Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16955using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16956optimized code.
16957
16958For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16959using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16960symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16961quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16962details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16963
16964The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16965start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16966occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16967file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16968pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16969Warnings and Messages}.)
16970
16971We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16972symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16973symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16974still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16975in stabs format.
16976
16977@kindex readnow
16978@cindex reading symbols immediately
16979@cindex symbols, reading immediately
16980@item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16981@itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16982You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16983tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16984load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16985entire symbol table available.
16986
16987@c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16988@c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16989@c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16990@c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16991@c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16992@c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16993@c files.
16994
16995@kindex core-file
16996@item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16997@itemx core
16998Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16999of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
17000address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
17001executable file itself for other parts.
17002
17003@code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
17004to be used.
17005
17006Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
17007under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
17008wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
17009the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
17010(@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
17011
17012@kindex add-symbol-file
17013@cindex dynamic linking
17014@item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
17015@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
17016@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
17017The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
17018information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
17019when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
17020into the program that is running. The @var{address} should give the memory
17021address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
17022this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
17023of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
17024section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
17025@var{address} as an expression.
17026
17027The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
17028originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
17029@code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
17030thus read is kept in addition to the old.
17031
17032Changes can be reverted using the command @code{remove-symbol-file}.
17033
17034@cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
17035@cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
17036@cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
17037@cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
17038@cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
17039Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
17040executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
17041relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
17042information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
17043
17044@itemize @bullet
17045@item
17046the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
17047that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
17048@item
17049every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
17050been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
17051@item
17052you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
17053provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17054@end itemize
17055
17056@noindent
17057Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
17058relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
17059typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
17060important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
17061procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
17062assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
17063general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
17064relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
17065as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
17066way.
17067
17068@code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17069
17070@kindex remove-symbol-file
17071@item remove-symbol-file @var{filename}
17072@item remove-symbol-file -a @var{address}
17073Remove a symbol file added via the @code{add-symbol-file} command. The
17074file to remove can be identified by its @var{filename} or by an @var{address}
17075that lies within the boundaries of this symbol file in memory. Example:
17076
17077@smallexample
17078(gdb) add-symbol-file /home/user/gdb/mylib.so 0x7ffff7ff9480
17079add symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so" at
17080 .text_addr = 0x7ffff7ff9480
17081(y or n) y
17082Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/mylib.so...done.
17083(gdb) remove-symbol-file -a 0x7ffff7ff9480
17084Remove symbol table from file "/home/user/gdb/mylib.so"? (y or n) y
17085(gdb)
17086@end smallexample
17087
17088
17089@code{remove-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
17090
17091@kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
17092@cindex @code{syscall DSO}
17093@cindex load symbols from memory
17094@item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
17095Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
17096object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
17097For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
17098process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
17099some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
17100evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
17101For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
17102@code{exec-file} commands in advance.
17103
17104@kindex add-shared-symbol-files
17105@kindex assf
17106@item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
17107@itemx assf @var{library-file}
17108This command is deprecated and will be removed in future versions
17109of @value{GDBN}. Use the @code{sharedlibrary} command instead.
17110
17111The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
17112in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
17113alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
17114@value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
17115@value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
17116@code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
17117library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
17118@code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
17119
17120@kindex section
17121@item section @var{section} @var{addr}
17122The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
17123@var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
17124exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
17125@code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
17126itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
17127@code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
17128their addresses.
17129
17130@kindex info files
17131@kindex info target
17132@item info files
17133@itemx info target
17134@code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
17135current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
17136including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
17137use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
17138command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
17139current ones.
17140
17141@kindex maint info sections
17142@item maint info sections
17143Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
17144is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
17145displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
17146offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
17147@code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
17148may be arbitrarily combined):
17149
17150@table @code
17151@item ALLOBJ
17152Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
17153@item @var{sections}
17154Display info only for named @var{sections}.
17155@item @var{section-flags}
17156Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
17157The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
17158@table @code
17159@item ALLOC
17160Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
17161Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
17162@item LOAD
17163Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
17164Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
17165@item RELOC
17166Section needs to be relocated before loading.
17167@item READONLY
17168Section cannot be modified by the child process.
17169@item CODE
17170Section contains executable code only.
17171@item DATA
17172Section contains data only (no executable code).
17173@item ROM
17174Section will reside in ROM.
17175@item CONSTRUCTOR
17176Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
17177@item HAS_CONTENTS
17178Section is not empty.
17179@item NEVER_LOAD
17180An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
17181@item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
17182A notification to the linker that the section contains
17183COFF shared library information.
17184@item IS_COMMON
17185Section contains common symbols.
17186@end table
17187@end table
17188@kindex set trust-readonly-sections
17189@cindex read-only sections
17190@item set trust-readonly-sections on
17191Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
17192really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
17193In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
17194out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
17195For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
17196enhancement to debugging performance.
17197
17198The default is off.
17199
17200@item set trust-readonly-sections off
17201Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
17202the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
17203and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
17204
17205@item show trust-readonly-sections
17206Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
17207@end table
17208
17209All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
17210as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
17211name and remembers it that way.
17212
17213@cindex shared libraries
17214@anchor{Shared Libraries}
17215@value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
17216and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
17217
17218On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
17219shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
17220
17221@value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
17222when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
17223(Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
17224references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
17225debugging a core file).
17226
17227On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
17228automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
17229
17230@c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
17231@c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
17232@c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
17233
17234There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
17235symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
17236particularly large or there are many of them.
17237
17238To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
17239commands:
17240
17241@table @code
17242@kindex set auto-solib-add
17243@item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
17244If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
17245will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
17246attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
17247informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
17248is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
17249@code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
17250
17251@cindex memory used for symbol tables
17252If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
17253takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
17254memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
17255symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
17256auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
17257library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
17258@var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
17259the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
17260
17261@kindex show auto-solib-add
17262@item show auto-solib-add
17263Display the current autoloading mode.
17264@end table
17265
17266@cindex load shared library
17267To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
17268command:
17269
17270@table @code
17271@kindex info sharedlibrary
17272@kindex info share
17273@item info share @var{regex}
17274@itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
17275Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
17276that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
17277all shared libraries that are loaded.
17278
17279@kindex sharedlibrary
17280@kindex share
17281@item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
17282@itemx share @var{regex}
17283Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
17284Unix regular expression.
17285As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
17286required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
17287@var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
17288loaded.
17289
17290@item nosharedlibrary
17291@kindex nosharedlibrary
17292@cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
17293Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
17294that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
17295libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
17296discarded.
17297@end table
17298
17299Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
17300when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
17301to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
17302Catchpoints}).
17303
17304@value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
17305command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
17306less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
17307conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
17308
17309@table @code
17310@item set stop-on-solib-events
17311@kindex set stop-on-solib-events
17312This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
17313when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
17314The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
17315shared library.
17316
17317@item show stop-on-solib-events
17318@kindex show stop-on-solib-events
17319Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
17320library events happen.
17321@end table
17322
17323Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
17324configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
17325this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
17326on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
17327libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
17328provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
17329copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
17330not.
17331
17332@cindex where to look for shared libraries
17333For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
17334libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
17335may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
17336to specify the search directories for target libraries.
17337
17338@table @code
17339@cindex prefix for shared library file names
17340@cindex system root, alternate
17341@kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
17342@kindex set sysroot
17343@item set sysroot @var{path}
17344Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
17345absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
17346runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
17347target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
17348libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
17349the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
17350under @var{path}.
17351
17352If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
17353retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
17354supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
17355command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
17356The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
17357(if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
17358@footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
17359that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
17360variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
17361
17362For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
17363SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
17364absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
17365@value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
17366slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
17367
17368@smallexample
17369 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
17370@end smallexample
17371
17372Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
17373@var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
17374system:
17375
17376@smallexample
17377 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
17378@end smallexample
17379
17380If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
17381the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
17382for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
17383colons:
17384
17385@smallexample
17386 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
17387@end smallexample
17388
17389This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
17390with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
17391copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
17392@samp{z}):
17393
17394@smallexample
17395 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
17396 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
17397 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
17398@end smallexample
17399
17400@noindent
17401and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
17402@value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
17403@file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
17404
17405If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
17406removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
17407
17408@smallexample
17409 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
17410@end smallexample
17411
17412This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
17413if you don't want or need to.
17414
17415The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
17416sysroot}.
17417
17418@cindex default system root
17419@cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
17420You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
17421@samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
17422@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17423@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
17424automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17425location.
17426
17427@kindex show sysroot
17428@item show sysroot
17429Display the current shared library prefix.
17430
17431@kindex set solib-search-path
17432@item set solib-search-path @var{path}
17433If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17434directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
17435is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
17436path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
17437use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
17438@samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
17439finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
17440it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
17441of shared library symbols.
17442
17443@kindex show solib-search-path
17444@item show solib-search-path
17445Display the current shared library search path.
17446
17447@cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
17448@kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
17449@kindex show target-file-system-kind
17450@item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
17451Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
17452
17453Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
17454make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
17455example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
17456system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
17457@value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
17458@file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
17459drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
17460indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
17461normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
17462the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
17463as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
17464it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
17465shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
17466with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
17467@code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
17468to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
17469map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
17470semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
17471to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
17472tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
17473current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
17474Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
17475
17476@table @code
17477@item unix
17478Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
17479kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
17480are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
17481the forward slash.
17482
17483@item dos-based
17484Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
17485File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
17486followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
17487both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
17488considered directory separators.
17489
17490@item auto
17491Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
17492target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
17493This is the default.
17494@end table
17495@end table
17496
17497@cindex file name canonicalization
17498@cindex base name differences
17499When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
17500frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
17501program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
17502@dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
17503even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
17504portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
17505This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
17506cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
17507references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
17508facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
17509using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
17510using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
17511@code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
17512pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
17513comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
17514
17515@table @code
17516@item set basenames-may-differ
17517@kindex set basenames-may-differ
17518Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
17519
17520@item show basenames-may-differ
17521@kindex show basenames-may-differ
17522Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
17523@end table
17524
17525@node Separate Debug Files
17526@section Debugging Information in Separate Files
17527@cindex separate debugging information files
17528@cindex debugging information in separate files
17529@cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
17530@cindex debugging information directory, global
17531@cindex global debugging information directories
17532@cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
17533@cindex @file{.build-id} directory
17534
17535@value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
17536file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
17537@value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
17538Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
17539than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
17540information for their executables in separate files, which users can
17541install only when they need to debug a problem.
17542
17543@value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
17544file:
17545
17546@itemize @bullet
17547@item
17548The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
17549the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
17550usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
17551name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
17552(e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
17553debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
17554checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
17555the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
17556
17557@item
17558The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
17559also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
17560only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
17561for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
17562this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
17563command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
17564The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
17565explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
17566below.
17567@end itemize
17568
17569Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
17570uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
17571
17572@itemize @bullet
17573@item
17574For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
17575the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
17576directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
17577directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
17578directories of the executable's absolute file name.
17579
17580@item
17581For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
17582@file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
17583a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
17584first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
17585are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
17586hex characters, not 10.)
17587@end itemize
17588
17589So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
17590@file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
17591file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
17592@code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
17593@file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
17594debug information files, in the indicated order:
17595
17596@itemize @minus
17597@item
17598@file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
17599@item
17600@file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
17601@item
17602@file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
17603@item
17604@file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
17605@end itemize
17606
17607@anchor{debug-file-directory}
17608Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
17609configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
17610you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
17611@value{GDBN} is currently using.
17612
17613@table @code
17614
17615@kindex set debug-file-directory
17616@item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
17617Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17618information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
17619concatenating them by a path separator.
17620
17621@kindex show debug-file-directory
17622@item show debug-file-directory
17623Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17624information files.
17625
17626@end table
17627
17628@cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
17629@cindex debug link sections
17630A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
17631@code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
17632
17633@itemize
17634@item
17635A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
17636a zero byte,
17637@item
17638zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
17639boundary within the section, and
17640@item
17641a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
17642executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
17643information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
17644zero as the @var{crc} argument.
17645@end itemize
17646
17647Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
17648contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
17649described above.
17650
17651@cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
17652@cindex build ID sections
17653The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
17654ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
17655often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
17656It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
17657the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
17658algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
17659content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
17660value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
17661stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
17662
17663The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
17664executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
17665debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
17666should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
17667but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
17668in an ordinary executable.
17669
17670The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
17671@samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
17672the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
17673following commands:
17674
17675@smallexample
17676@kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
17677@kbd{strip -g foo}
17678@end smallexample
17679
17680@noindent
17681These commands remove the debugging
17682information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
17683@file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
17684two files:
17685
17686@itemize @bullet
17687@item
17688The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
17689behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
17690
17691@smallexample
17692@kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
17693@end smallexample
17694
17695Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
17696a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
17697foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
17698the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
17699
17700@item
17701Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
17702the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
17703compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
17704utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
17705@end itemize
17706
17707@noindent
17708
17709@cindex CRC algorithm definition
17710The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
17711IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
17712
17713@c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
17714@c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
17715@c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
17716@c different ways!
17717@ifhtml
17718@display
17719@html
17720 <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>
17721 + <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
17722@end html
17723@end display
17724@end ifhtml
17725@ifnothtml
17726@display
17727 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
17728 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
17729@end display
17730@end ifnothtml
17731
17732The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
17733significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
17734@code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
17735the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
17736CRC.
17737
17738@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
17739@dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{qCRC packet}).
17740However in the case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed
17741@emph{most} significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so
17742trailing zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
17743
17744To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
17745which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
17746initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
17747this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
17748@code{0xffffffff}.
17749
17750@kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
17751@smallexample
17752unsigned long
17753gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17754 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17755@{
17756 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17757 @{
17758 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17759 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17760 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17761 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17762 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17763 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17764 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17765 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17766 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17767 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17768 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17769 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17770 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17771 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17772 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17773 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17774 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17775 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17776 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17777 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17778 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17779 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17780 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17781 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17782 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17783 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17784 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17785 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17786 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17787 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17788 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17789 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17790 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17791 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17792 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17793 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17794 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17795 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17796 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17797 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17798 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17799 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17800 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17801 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17802 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17803 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17804 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17805 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17806 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17807 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17808 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17809 0x2d02ef8d
17810 @};
17811 unsigned char *end;
17812
17813 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17814 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17815 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17816 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17817@}
17818@end smallexample
17819
17820@noindent
17821This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17822
17823@node MiniDebugInfo
17824@section Debugging information in a special section
17825@cindex separate debug sections
17826@cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17827
17828Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17829special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17830@dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17831is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17832
17833The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17834information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17835replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17836Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17837@value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17838debugging information might be included in the section.
17839
17840@value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17841then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17842can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17843
17844This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17845standard utilities:
17846
17847@smallexample
17848# Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17849# to also have these in the normal symbol table.
17850nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17851 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17852
17853# Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo.
17854# (Note that we actually also accept "D" symbols, for the benefit
17855# of platforms like PowerPC64 that use function descriptors.)
17856nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17857 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t" || $2 == "D") print $1 @}' \
17858 | sort > funcsyms
17859
17860# Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17861# table.
17862comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17863
17864# Separate full debug info into debug binary.
17865objcopy --only-keep-debug @var{binary} debug
17866
17867# Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17868# removing some unnecessary sections.
17869objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17870 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols debug mini_debuginfo
17871
17872# Drop the full debug info from the original binary.
17873strip --strip-all -R .comment @var{binary}
17874
17875# Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17876# original binary.
17877xz mini_debuginfo
17878objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17879@end smallexample
17880
17881@node Index Files
17882@section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17883@cindex index files
17884@cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17885
17886When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17887file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17888@value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17889on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17890@value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17891startup.
17892
17893The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17894write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17895using @command{objcopy}.
17896
17897To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17898
17899@table @code
17900@item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17901@kindex save gdb-index
17902Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17903@value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17904with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17905@var{directory}.
17906@end table
17907
17908Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17909file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17910
17911@smallexample
17912$ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17913 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17914@end smallexample
17915
17916@value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17917sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17918they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17919To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17920specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17921The default is @code{off}.
17922This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17923@xref{Index Section Format}.
17924
17925@emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17926must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17927
17928@smallexample
17929$ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17930@end smallexample
17931
17932Instead you must do, for example,
17933
17934@smallexample
17935$ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17936@end smallexample
17937
17938There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17939for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17940currently work for programs using Ada.
17941
17942@node Symbol Errors
17943@section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17944
17945While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17946such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17947output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17948they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17949debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17950about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17951only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17952times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17953to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17954complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17955Messages}).
17956
17957The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17958
17959@table @code
17960@item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17961
17962The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17963(such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17964error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17965in its outer scope blocks.
17966
17967@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17968the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17969may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17970function.
17971
17972@item block at @var{address} out of order
17973
17974The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17975order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17976do so.
17977
17978@value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17979locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17980can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17981@code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17982Messages}.)
17983
17984@item bad block start address patched
17985
17986The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17987smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17988to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17989
17990@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17991starting on the previous source line.
17992
17993@item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17994
17995@cindex foo
17996Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17997larger than the size of the string table.
17998
17999@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
18000name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
18001with this name.
18002
18003@item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
18004
18005The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
18006not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
18007uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
18008
18009@value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
18010This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
18011are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
18012debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
18013on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
18014and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
18015
18016@item stub type has NULL name
18017
18018@value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
18019
18020@item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
18021The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
18022information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
18023it.
18024
18025@item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
18026
18027@value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
18028
18029@end table
18030
18031@node Data Files
18032@section GDB Data Files
18033
18034@cindex prefix for data files
18035@value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
18036are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
18037
18038You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
18039is currently using.
18040
18041@table @code
18042@kindex set data-directory
18043@item set data-directory @var{directory}
18044Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
18045to @var{directory}.
18046
18047@kindex show data-directory
18048@item show data-directory
18049Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
18050@end table
18051
18052@cindex default data directory
18053@cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
18054You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
18055@samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
18056@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
18057@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
18058automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
18059location.
18060
18061The data directory may also be specified with the
18062@code{--data-directory} command line option.
18063@xref{Mode Options}.
18064
18065@node Targets
18066@chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
18067
18068@cindex debugging target
18069A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
18070
18071Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
18072in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
18073you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
18074flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
18075host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
18076realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
18077command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
18078(@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
18079
18080@cindex target architecture
18081It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
18082architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
18083one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
18084command.
18085
18086@table @code
18087@kindex set architecture
18088@kindex show architecture
18089@item set architecture @var{arch}
18090This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
18091value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
18092supported architectures.
18093
18094@item show architecture
18095Show the current target architecture.
18096
18097@item set processor
18098@itemx processor
18099@kindex set processor
18100@kindex show processor
18101These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
18102and @code{show architecture}.
18103@end table
18104
18105@menu
18106* Active Targets:: Active targets
18107* Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
18108* Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
18109@end menu
18110
18111@node Active Targets
18112@section Active Targets
18113
18114@cindex stacking targets
18115@cindex active targets
18116@cindex multiple targets
18117
18118There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
18119recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
18120and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
18121on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
18122example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
18123the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
18124recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
18125presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
18126remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
18127
18128Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
18129file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
18130specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
18131command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
18132
18133@node Target Commands
18134@section Commands for Managing Targets
18135
18136@table @code
18137@item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
18138Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
18139process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
18140facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
18141protocol of the target machine.
18142
18143Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
18144typically include things like device names or host names to connect
18145with, process numbers, and baud rates.
18146
18147The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
18148after executing the command.
18149
18150@kindex help target
18151@item help target
18152Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
18153currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
18154(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
18155
18156@item help target @var{name}
18157Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
18158select it.
18159
18160@kindex set gnutarget
18161@item set gnutarget @var{args}
18162@value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
18163knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
18164a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
18165with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
18166with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
18167
18168@quotation
18169@emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
18170you must know the actual BFD name.
18171@end quotation
18172
18173@noindent
18174@xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
18175
18176@kindex show gnutarget
18177@item show gnutarget
18178Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
18179@code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
18180@value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
18181and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
18182@end table
18183
18184@cindex common targets
18185Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
18186configuration):
18187
18188@table @code
18189@kindex target
18190@item target exec @var{program}
18191@cindex executable file target
18192An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
18193@samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
18194
18195@item target core @var{filename}
18196@cindex core dump file target
18197A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
18198@samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
18199
18200@item target remote @var{medium}
18201@cindex remote target
18202A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
18203connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
18204protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
18205
18206For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
18207machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
18208
18209@smallexample
18210target remote /dev/ttya
18211@end smallexample
18212
18213@code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
18214useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
18215system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
18216clobbered by the download.
18217
18218@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18219@cindex built-in simulator target
18220Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
18221In general,
18222@smallexample
18223 target sim
18224 load
18225 run
18226@end smallexample
18227@noindent
18228works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
18229drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
18230provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
18231see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
18232Processors}.
18233
18234@item target native
18235@cindex native target
18236Setup for local/native process debugging. Useful to make the
18237@code{run} command spawn native processes (likewise @code{attach},
18238etc.@:) even when @code{set auto-connect-native-target} is @code{off}
18239(@pxref{set auto-connect-native-target}).
18240
18241@end table
18242
18243Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
18244your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
18245
18246Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
18247you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
18248various aspects of this process.
18249
18250@table @code
18251
18252@item set hash
18253@kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
18254@cindex hash mark while downloading
18255This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
18256downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
18257displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
18258monitor.
18259
18260@item show hash
18261@kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
18262Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
18263
18264@item set debug monitor
18265@kindex set debug monitor
18266@cindex display remote monitor communications
18267Enable or disable display of communications messages between
18268@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
18269
18270@item show debug monitor
18271@kindex show debug monitor
18272Show the current status of displaying communications between
18273@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
18274@end table
18275
18276@table @code
18277
18278@kindex load @var{filename}
18279@item load @var{filename}
18280@anchor{load}
18281Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
18282@value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
18283is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
18284on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
18285@code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
18286the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
18287
18288If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
18289execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
18290target is @dots{}}''
18291
18292The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
18293For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
18294link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
18295specifies a fixed address.
18296@c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
18297
18298Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
18299load programs into flash memory.
18300
18301@code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
18302@end table
18303
18304@node Byte Order
18305@section Choosing Target Byte Order
18306
18307@cindex choosing target byte order
18308@cindex target byte order
18309
18310Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
18311offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
18312orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
18313designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
18314which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
18315@value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
18316
18317@table @code
18318@kindex set endian
18319@item set endian big
18320Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
18321
18322@item set endian little
18323Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
18324
18325@item set endian auto
18326Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
18327executable.
18328
18329@item show endian
18330Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
18331
18332@end table
18333
18334Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
18335data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
18336target system.
18337
18338
18339@node Remote Debugging
18340@chapter Debugging Remote Programs
18341@cindex remote debugging
18342
18343If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
18344@value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
18345For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
18346or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
18347powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
18348
18349Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
18350to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
18351@value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
18352but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
18353write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
18354communicate with @value{GDBN}.
18355
18356Other remote targets may be available in your
18357configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
18358
18359@menu
18360* Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
18361* File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
18362* Server:: Using the gdbserver program
18363* Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
18364* Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
18365@end menu
18366
18367@node Connecting
18368@section Connecting to a Remote Target
18369
18370On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
18371your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
18372Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
18373program as the first argument.
18374
18375@cindex @code{target remote}
18376@value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
18377over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
18378each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
18379program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
18380@code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
18381Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
18382
18383@table @code
18384
18385@item target remote @var{serial-device}
18386@cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
18387Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
18388to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
18389
18390@smallexample
18391target remote /dev/ttyb
18392@end smallexample
18393
18394If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
18395@samp{--baud} option, or use the @code{set serial baud} command
18396(@pxref{Remote Configuration, set serial baud}) before the
18397@code{target} command.
18398
18399@item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
18400@itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
18401@cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
18402Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
18403The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
18404address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
18405the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
18406it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
18407target.
18408
18409For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
18410@code{manyfarms}:
18411
18412@smallexample
18413target remote manyfarms:2828
18414@end smallexample
18415
18416If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
18417debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
18418same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
18419port 1234 on your local machine:
18420
18421@smallexample
18422target remote :1234
18423@end smallexample
18424@noindent
18425
18426Note that the colon is still required here.
18427
18428@item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
18429@cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
18430Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
18431connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
18432
18433@smallexample
18434target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
18435@end smallexample
18436
18437When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
18438keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
18439can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
18440cause havoc with your debugging session.
18441
18442@item target remote | @var{command}
18443@cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
18444Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
18445pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
18446by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
18447protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
18448standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
18449that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
18450using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
18451
18452If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
18453@value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
18454program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
18455
18456@end table
18457
18458Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
18459commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
18460running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
18461need to use @kbd{run}.
18462
18463@cindex interrupting remote programs
18464@cindex remote programs, interrupting
18465Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
18466interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
18467program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
18468and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
18469interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
18470
18471@smallexample
18472Interrupted while waiting for the program.
18473Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
18474@end smallexample
18475
18476If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
18477(If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
18478remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
18479goes back to waiting.
18480
18481@table @code
18482@kindex detach (remote)
18483@item detach
18484When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
18485@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
18486Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
18487will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
18488command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
18489
18490@kindex disconnect
18491@item disconnect
18492The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
18493the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
18494(this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
18495the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
18496another target.
18497
18498@cindex send command to remote monitor
18499@cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
18500@cindex add new commands for external monitor
18501@kindex monitor
18502@item monitor @var{cmd}
18503This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
18504remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
18505sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
18506can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
18507and implement.
18508@end table
18509
18510@node File Transfer
18511@section Sending files to a remote system
18512@cindex remote target, file transfer
18513@cindex file transfer
18514@cindex sending files to remote systems
18515
18516Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
18517connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
18518for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
18519running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
18520e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
18521the only way to upload or download files.
18522
18523Not all remote targets support these commands.
18524
18525@table @code
18526@kindex remote put
18527@item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
18528Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
18529@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
18530
18531@kindex remote get
18532@item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
18533Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
18534on the host system.
18535
18536@kindex remote delete
18537@item remote delete @var{targetfile}
18538Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
18539
18540@end table
18541
18542@node Server
18543@section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
18544
18545@kindex gdbserver
18546@cindex remote connection without stubs
18547@code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
18548allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
18549@code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
18550
18551@code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
18552because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
18553that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
18554@code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
18555@value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
18556because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
18557also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
18558started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
18559Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
18560the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
18561do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
18562by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
18563choice for debugging.
18564
18565@value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
18566or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
18567protocol.
18568
18569@quotation
18570@emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
18571Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
18572@value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
18573target system with the same privileges as the user running
18574@code{gdbserver}.
18575@end quotation
18576
18577@subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
18578@cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
18579@cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
18580
18581Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
18582program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
18583@code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
18584strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
18585system does all the symbol handling.
18586
18587To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
18588the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
18589syntax is:
18590
18591@smallexample
18592target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
18593@end smallexample
18594
18595@var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
18596hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
18597stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
18598For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
18599@samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
18600@file{/dev/com1}:
18601
18602@smallexample
18603target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
18604@end smallexample
18605
18606@code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
18607with it.
18608
18609To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
18610
18611@smallexample
18612target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
18613@end smallexample
18614
18615The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
18616specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
18617TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
18618expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
18619(Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
18620you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
18621TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
18622reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
18623conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
18624and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
18625@code{target remote} command.
18626
18627The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
18628with ssh:
18629
18630@smallexample
18631(gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
18632@end smallexample
18633
18634The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
18635and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
18636a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
18637You could elide it if you want to.
18638
18639Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
18640@code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
18641display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
18642Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
18643
18644@subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
18645@cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
18646@cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
18647
18648On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
18649This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
18650
18651@smallexample
18652target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
18653@end smallexample
18654
18655@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
18656to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
18657
18658@pindex pidof
18659You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
18660@code{pidof} utility:
18661
18662@smallexample
18663target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
18664@end smallexample
18665
18666In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
18667has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
18668@code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
18669
18670@subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
18671@cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
18672@cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
18673
18674When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
18675@code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
18676program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
18677and @code{gdbserver} exits.
18678
18679If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
18680enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
18681detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
18682though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
18683commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
18684The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
18685remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
18686arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
18687redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
18688
18689@cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
18690To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
18691or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
18692Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
18693the program you want to debug.
18694
18695In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
18696use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
18697@code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
18698conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
18699connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
18700@option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
18701
18702@subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
18703
18704This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
18705
18706@code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
18707terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
18708extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
18709@value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
18710which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
18711mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
18712cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
18713stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
18714
18715When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
18716Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
18717completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
18718
18719@cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
18720By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
18721subsequent connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
18722with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
18723connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
18724means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
18725first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
18726connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
18727connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
18728@option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
18729multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
18730instance closes its port after the first connection.
18731
18732@anchor{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}
18733@subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
18734
18735@cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18736The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
18737status information about the debugging process.
18738@cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18739The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
18740remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
18741@code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
18742
18743@cindex @option{--debug-format}, @code{gdbserver} option
18744The @option{--debug-format=option1[,option2,...]} option tells
18745@code{gdbserver} to include additional information in each output.
18746Possible options are:
18747
18748@table @code
18749@item none
18750Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
18751@item all
18752Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
18753@item timestamps
18754Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
18755@end table
18756
18757Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
18758appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
18759
18760@cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
18761The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
18762for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
18763wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
18764@kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
18765
18766@code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
18767command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
18768program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
18769runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
18770
18771You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
18772its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
18773this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
18774with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
18775
18776For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18777the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18778environment:
18779
18780@smallexample
18781$ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18782@end smallexample
18783
18784@subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18785
18786Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18787
18788First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18789your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18790@code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18791was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18792
18793The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18794and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18795system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18796are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18797during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18798files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18799programs.
18800
18801Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18802For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18803the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18804text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18805@samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18806command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18807already on the target.
18808
18809@subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18810@cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18811@anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18812
18813During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18814@code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18815Here are the available commands.
18816
18817@table @code
18818@item monitor help
18819List the available monitor commands.
18820
18821@item monitor set debug 0
18822@itemx monitor set debug 1
18823Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18824
18825@item monitor set remote-debug 0
18826@itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18827Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18828protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18829
18830@item monitor set debug-format option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
18831Specify additional text to add to debugging messages.
18832Possible options are:
18833
18834@table @code
18835@item none
18836Turn off all extra information in debugging output.
18837@item all
18838Turn on all extra information in debugging output.
18839@item timestamps
18840Include a timestamp in each line of debugging output.
18841@end table
18842
18843Options are processed in order. Thus, for example, if @option{none}
18844appears last then no additional information is added to debugging output.
18845
18846@item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18847@cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18848When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18849directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18850libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18851@samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18852
18853The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18854not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18855
18856@item monitor exit
18857Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18858@code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18859detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18860Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18861of a multi-process mode debug session.
18862
18863@end table
18864
18865@subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18866@cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18867
18868On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18869tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18870
18871For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18872@dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18873This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18874@code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18875requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18876support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18877@url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18878is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18879standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18880@code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18881to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18882using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18883
18884There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18885
18886@table @code
18887@item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18888
18889You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18890library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18891@code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18892
18893@item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18894
18895You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18896your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18897support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18898cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18899in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18900@option{--wrapper} command line option.
18901
18902@item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18903
18904On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18905by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18906of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18907systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18908command for that. For example:
18909
18910@smallexample
18911(@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18912@end smallexample
18913
18914Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18915available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18916@end table
18917
18918On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18919systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18920remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18921loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18922program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18923case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18924features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18925libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18926main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18927@code{gdbserver} like so:
18928
18929@smallexample
18930$ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18931@end smallexample
18932
18933Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18934
18935@smallexample
18936$ gdb myprogram
18937(@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
189380x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18939(@value{GDBP}) b main
18940(@value{GDBP}) continue
18941@end smallexample
18942
18943The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18944process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18945command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18946process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18947tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18948tracing.
18949
18950@node Remote Configuration
18951@section Remote Configuration
18952
18953@kindex set remote
18954@kindex show remote
18955This section documents the configuration options available when
18956debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18957extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18958system-call-allowed}.
18959
18960@table @code
18961@item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18962@cindex address size for remote targets
18963@cindex bits in remote address
18964Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18965number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18966that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18967default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18968
18969@item show remoteaddresssize
18970Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18971
18972@item set serial baud @var{n}
18973@cindex baud rate for remote targets
18974Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18975value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18976remote targets.
18977
18978@item show serial baud
18979Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18980
18981@item set remotebreak
18982@cindex interrupt remote programs
18983@cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18984@anchor{set remotebreak}
18985If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18986when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18987on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18988character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18989expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18990
18991@item show remotebreak
18992Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18993interrupt the remote program.
18994
18995@item set remoteflow on
18996@itemx set remoteflow off
18997@kindex set remoteflow
18998Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18999on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
19000
19001@item show remoteflow
19002@kindex show remoteflow
19003Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
19004
19005@item set remotelogbase @var{base}
19006Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
19007communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
19008@code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
19009@code{ascii}.
19010
19011@item show remotelogbase
19012Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
19013protocol.
19014
19015@item set remotelogfile @var{file}
19016@cindex record serial communications on file
19017Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
19018default is not to record at all.
19019
19020@item show remotelogfile.
19021Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
19022serial communications.
19023
19024@item set remotetimeout @var{num}
19025@cindex timeout for serial communications
19026@cindex remote timeout
19027Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
19028@var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
19029
19030@item show remotetimeout
19031Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
19032responses.
19033
19034@cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
19035@cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
19036@anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
19037@anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
19038@item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
19039@itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
19040Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
19041watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
19042
19043@cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
19044@cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
19045@anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
19046@item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
19047Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
19048a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
19049as unlimited.
19050
19051@item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
19052Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
19053a remote hardware watchpoint.
19054
19055@item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
19056@itemx show remote exec-file
19057@anchor{set remote exec-file}
19058@cindex executable file, for remote target
19059Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
19060extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
19061target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
19062filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
19063
19064@item set remote interrupt-sequence
19065@cindex interrupt remote programs
19066@cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
19067Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
19068@samp{BREAK-g} as the
19069sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
19070@samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
19071is high level of serial line for some certain time.
19072Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
19073It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
19074
19075@item show interrupt-sequence
19076Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
19077is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
19078@code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
19079also known as Magic SysRq g.
19080
19081@item set remote interrupt-on-connect
19082@cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
19083Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
19084@value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
19085Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
19086which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
19087
19088@item show interrupt-on-connect
19089Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
19090to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
19091
19092@kindex set tcp
19093@kindex show tcp
19094@item set tcp auto-retry on
19095@cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
19096Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
19097debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
19098condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
19099before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
19100enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
19101to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
19102@code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
19103
19104@item set tcp auto-retry off
19105Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
19106
19107@item show tcp auto-retry
19108Show the current auto-retry setting.
19109
19110@item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
19111@itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
19112@cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
19113@cindex timeout, for remote target connection
19114Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
19115@var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
19116(enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
19117that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
19118value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
19119@value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
19120unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
19121
19122@item show tcp connect-timeout
19123Show the current connection timeout setting.
19124@end table
19125
19126@cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
19127The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
19128your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
19129can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
19130packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
19131packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
19132or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
19133all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
19134see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
19135
19136During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
19137If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
19138in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
19139@value{GDBN} developers.
19140
19141For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
19142packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
19143are:
19144
19145@multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
19146@item Command Name
19147@tab Remote Packet
19148@tab Related Features
19149
19150@item @code{fetch-register}
19151@tab @code{p}
19152@tab @code{info registers}
19153
19154@item @code{set-register}
19155@tab @code{P}
19156@tab @code{set}
19157
19158@item @code{binary-download}
19159@tab @code{X}
19160@tab @code{load}, @code{set}
19161
19162@item @code{read-aux-vector}
19163@tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
19164@tab @code{info auxv}
19165
19166@item @code{symbol-lookup}
19167@tab @code{qSymbol}
19168@tab Detecting multiple threads
19169
19170@item @code{attach}
19171@tab @code{vAttach}
19172@tab @code{attach}
19173
19174@item @code{verbose-resume}
19175@tab @code{vCont}
19176@tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
19177
19178@item @code{run}
19179@tab @code{vRun}
19180@tab @code{run}
19181
19182@item @code{software-breakpoint}
19183@tab @code{Z0}
19184@tab @code{break}
19185
19186@item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
19187@tab @code{Z1}
19188@tab @code{hbreak}
19189
19190@item @code{write-watchpoint}
19191@tab @code{Z2}
19192@tab @code{watch}
19193
19194@item @code{read-watchpoint}
19195@tab @code{Z3}
19196@tab @code{rwatch}
19197
19198@item @code{access-watchpoint}
19199@tab @code{Z4}
19200@tab @code{awatch}
19201
19202@item @code{target-features}
19203@tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
19204@tab @code{set architecture}
19205
19206@item @code{library-info}
19207@tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
19208@tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
19209
19210@item @code{memory-map}
19211@tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
19212@tab @code{info mem}
19213
19214@item @code{read-sdata-object}
19215@tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
19216@tab @code{print $_sdata}
19217
19218@item @code{read-spu-object}
19219@tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
19220@tab @code{info spu}
19221
19222@item @code{write-spu-object}
19223@tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
19224@tab @code{info spu}
19225
19226@item @code{read-siginfo-object}
19227@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
19228@tab @code{print $_siginfo}
19229
19230@item @code{write-siginfo-object}
19231@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
19232@tab @code{set $_siginfo}
19233
19234@item @code{threads}
19235@tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
19236@tab @code{info threads}
19237
19238@item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
19239@tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
19240@tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
19241
19242@item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
19243@tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
19244@tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
19245
19246@item @code{search-memory}
19247@tab @code{qSearch:memory}
19248@tab @code{find}
19249
19250@item @code{supported-packets}
19251@tab @code{qSupported}
19252@tab Remote communications parameters
19253
19254@item @code{pass-signals}
19255@tab @code{QPassSignals}
19256@tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
19257
19258@item @code{program-signals}
19259@tab @code{QProgramSignals}
19260@tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
19261
19262@item @code{hostio-close-packet}
19263@tab @code{vFile:close}
19264@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19265
19266@item @code{hostio-open-packet}
19267@tab @code{vFile:open}
19268@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19269
19270@item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
19271@tab @code{vFile:pread}
19272@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19273
19274@item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
19275@tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
19276@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
19277
19278@item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
19279@tab @code{vFile:unlink}
19280@tab @code{remote delete}
19281
19282@item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
19283@tab @code{vFile:readlink}
19284@tab Host I/O
19285
19286@item @code{noack-packet}
19287@tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
19288@tab Packet acknowledgment
19289
19290@item @code{osdata}
19291@tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
19292@tab @code{info os}
19293
19294@item @code{query-attached}
19295@tab @code{qAttached}
19296@tab Querying remote process attach state.
19297
19298@item @code{trace-buffer-size}
19299@tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
19300@tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
19301
19302@item @code{trace-status}
19303@tab @code{qTStatus}
19304@tab @code{tstatus}
19305
19306@item @code{traceframe-info}
19307@tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
19308@tab Traceframe info
19309
19310@item @code{install-in-trace}
19311@tab @code{InstallInTrace}
19312@tab Install tracepoint in tracing
19313
19314@item @code{disable-randomization}
19315@tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
19316@tab @code{set disable-randomization}
19317
19318@item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
19319@tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
19320@tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
19321@end multitable
19322
19323@node Remote Stub
19324@section Implementing a Remote Stub
19325
19326@cindex debugging stub, example
19327@cindex remote stub, example
19328@cindex stub example, remote debugging
19329The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
19330communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
19331@value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
19332these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
19333implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
19334with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
19335organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
19336
19337@cindex remote serial debugging, overview
19338To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
19339@dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
19340prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
19341program, you need:
19342
19343@enumerate
19344@item
19345A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
19346have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
19347your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
19348
19349@item
19350A C subroutine library to support your program's
19351subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
19352
19353@item
19354A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
19355download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
19356manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
19357documentation.
19358@end enumerate
19359
19360The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
19361communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
19362machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
19363
19364@table @emph
19365@item On the host,
19366@value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
19367else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
19368(@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
19369
19370@item On the target,
19371you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
19372implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
19373subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
19374
19375On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
19376@code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
19377@xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
19378@end table
19379
19380The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
19381machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
19382@sc{sparc} boards.
19383
19384@cindex remote serial stub list
19385These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
19386
19387@table @code
19388
19389@item i386-stub.c
19390@cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
19391@cindex Intel
19392@cindex i386
19393For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
19394
19395@item m68k-stub.c
19396@cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
19397@cindex Motorola 680x0
19398@cindex m680x0
19399For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
19400
19401@item sh-stub.c
19402@cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
19403@cindex Renesas
19404@cindex SH
19405For Renesas SH architectures.
19406
19407@item sparc-stub.c
19408@cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
19409@cindex Sparc
19410For @sc{sparc} architectures.
19411
19412@item sparcl-stub.c
19413@cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
19414@cindex Fujitsu
19415@cindex SparcLite
19416For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
19417
19418@end table
19419
19420The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
19421recently added stubs.
19422
19423@menu
19424* Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
19425* Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
19426* Debug Session:: Putting it all together
19427@end menu
19428
19429@node Stub Contents
19430@subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
19431
19432@cindex remote serial stub
19433The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
19434subroutines:
19435
19436@table @code
19437@item set_debug_traps
19438@findex set_debug_traps
19439@cindex remote serial stub, initialization
19440This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
19441program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
19442program's startup code.
19443
19444@item handle_exception
19445@findex handle_exception
19446@cindex remote serial stub, main routine
19447This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
19448explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
19449run when a trap is triggered.
19450
19451@code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
19452execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
19453with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
19454protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
19455representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
19456information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
19457retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
19458execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
19459@code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
19460machine.
19461
19462@item breakpoint
19463@cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
19464Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
19465breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
19466way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
19467machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
19468pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
19469@code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
19470simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
19471again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
19472your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
19473@value{GDBN} session gets control.
19474
19475Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
19476to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
19477start of your debugging session.
19478@end table
19479
19480@node Bootstrapping
19481@subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
19482
19483@cindex remote stub, support routines
19484The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
19485chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
19486debugging target machine.
19487
19488First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
19489serial port.
19490
19491@table @code
19492@item int getDebugChar()
19493@findex getDebugChar
19494Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
19495It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
19496different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
19497
19498@item void putDebugChar(int)
19499@findex putDebugChar
19500Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
19501It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
19502different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
19503@end table
19504
19505@cindex control C, and remote debugging
19506@cindex interrupting remote targets
19507If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
19508running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
19509for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
19510character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
19511remote system to stop.
19512
19513Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
19514probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
19515is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
19516@value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
19517
19518Other routines you need to supply are:
19519
19520@table @code
19521@item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
19522@findex exceptionHandler
19523Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
19524handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
19525way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
19526are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
19527containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
19528The @var{exception_number} specifies the exception which should be changed;
19529its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
19530might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
19531exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
19532@var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
19533and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
19534you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
19535should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
19536
19537For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
19538gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
19539should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
19540@sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
19541help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
19542
19543@item void flush_i_cache()
19544@findex flush_i_cache
19545On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
19546instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
19547instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
19548
19549On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
19550function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
19551@end table
19552
19553@noindent
19554You must also make sure this library routine is available:
19555
19556@table @code
19557@item void *memset(void *, int, int)
19558@findex memset
19559This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
19560memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
19561@code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
19562either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
19563@end table
19564
19565If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
19566library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
19567but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
19568subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
19569
19570
19571@node Debug Session
19572@subsection Putting it All Together
19573
19574@cindex remote serial debugging summary
19575In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
19576steps.
19577
19578@enumerate
19579@item
19580Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
19581(@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
19582@display
19583@code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
19584@code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
19585@end display
19586
19587@item
19588Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
19589procedure is called:
19590
19591@smallexample
19592set_debug_traps();
19593breakpoint();
19594@end smallexample
19595
19596On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
19597automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
19598breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
19599@code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
19600after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
19601doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
19602progress.
19603
19604@item
19605For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
19606@code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
19607
19608@smallexample
19609void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
19610@end smallexample
19611
19612@noindent
19613but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
19614function in your program, that function is called when
19615@code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
19616error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
19617one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
19618
19619@item
19620Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
19621your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
19622
19623@item
19624Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
19625the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
19626
19627@item
19628@c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
19629@c document that. FIXME.
19630Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
19631whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
19632
19633@item
19634Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
19635(@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19636
19637@end enumerate
19638
19639@node Configurations
19640@chapter Configuration-Specific Information
19641
19642While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
19643cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
19644describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
19645
19646There are three major categories of configurations: native
19647configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
19648operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
19649different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
19650are quite different from each other.
19651
19652@menu
19653* Native::
19654* Embedded OS::
19655* Embedded Processors::
19656* Architectures::
19657@end menu
19658
19659@node Native
19660@section Native
19661
19662This section describes details specific to particular native
19663configurations.
19664
19665@menu
19666* HP-UX:: HP-UX
19667* BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
19668* SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
19669* DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
19670* Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
19671* Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
19672* Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
19673@end menu
19674
19675@node HP-UX
19676@subsection HP-UX
19677
19678On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
19679begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
19680name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
19681
19682
19683@node BSD libkvm Interface
19684@subsection BSD libkvm Interface
19685
19686@cindex libkvm
19687@cindex kernel memory image
19688@cindex kernel crash dump
19689
19690BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
19691interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
19692memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
19693uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
19694dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
19695special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
19696the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
19697@code{kvm} target:
19698
19699@smallexample
19700(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
19701@end smallexample
19702
19703For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
19704argument:
19705
19706@smallexample
19707(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
19708@end smallexample
19709
19710Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
19711available:
19712
19713@table @code
19714@kindex kvm
19715@item kvm pcb
19716Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
19717
19718@item kvm proc
19719Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
19720modern FreeBSD systems.
19721@end table
19722
19723@node SVR4 Process Information
19724@subsection SVR4 Process Information
19725@cindex /proc
19726@cindex examine process image
19727@cindex process info via @file{/proc}
19728
19729Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
19730@samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
19731process using file-system subroutines.
19732
19733If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
19734facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
19735information about the process running your program, or about any
19736process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
19737@sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
19738not HP-UX, for example.
19739
19740This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
19741that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
19742
19743@table @code
19744@kindex info proc
19745@cindex process ID
19746@item info proc
19747@itemx info proc @var{process-id}
19748Summarize available information about any running process. If a
19749process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
19750that process; otherwise display information about the program being
19751debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
19752line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
19753executable file's absolute file name.
19754
19755On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
19756@samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
19757within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
19758a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
19759needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
19760a process ID rather than a thread ID).
19761
19762@item info proc cmdline
19763@cindex info proc cmdline
19764Show the original command line of the process. This command is
19765specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19766
19767@item info proc cwd
19768@cindex info proc cwd
19769Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
19770specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19771
19772@item info proc exe
19773@cindex info proc exe
19774Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
19775to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19776
19777@item info proc mappings
19778@cindex memory address space mappings
19779Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
19780information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
19781rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
19782includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
19783memory access rights to that range.
19784
19785@item info proc stat
19786@itemx info proc status
19787@cindex process detailed status information
19788These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
19789the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
19790how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
19791the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
19792consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19793value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19794(type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19795
19796@item info proc all
19797Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19798above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19799
19800@ignore
19801@comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19802@comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19803@comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19804@kindex info proc times
19805@item info proc times
19806Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19807its children.
19808
19809@kindex info proc id
19810@item info proc id
19811Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19812the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19813@end ignore
19814
19815@item set procfs-trace
19816@kindex set procfs-trace
19817@cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19818This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19819
19820@item show procfs-trace
19821@kindex show procfs-trace
19822Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19823
19824@item set procfs-file @var{file}
19825@kindex set procfs-file
19826Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19827@var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19828contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19829standard output.
19830
19831@item show procfs-file
19832@kindex show procfs-file
19833Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19834
19835@item proc-trace-entry
19836@itemx proc-trace-exit
19837@itemx proc-untrace-entry
19838@itemx proc-untrace-exit
19839@kindex proc-trace-entry
19840@kindex proc-trace-exit
19841@kindex proc-untrace-entry
19842@kindex proc-untrace-exit
19843These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19844from the @code{syscall} interface.
19845
19846@item info pidlist
19847@kindex info pidlist
19848@cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19849For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19850processes and all the threads within each process.
19851
19852@item info meminfo
19853@kindex info meminfo
19854@cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19855For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19856@end table
19857
19858@node DJGPP Native
19859@subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19860@cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19861@cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19862@cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19863
19864@cindex DPMI
19865@sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19866MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19867that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19868top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19869
19870@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19871defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19872subsection describes those commands.
19873
19874@table @code
19875@kindex info dos
19876@item info dos
19877This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19878information about the target system and important OS structures.
19879
19880@kindex sysinfo
19881@cindex MS-DOS system info
19882@cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19883@item info dos sysinfo
19884This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19885platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19886DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19887
19888@cindex GDT
19889@cindex LDT
19890@cindex IDT
19891@cindex segment descriptor tables
19892@cindex descriptor tables display
19893@item info dos gdt
19894@itemx info dos ldt
19895@itemx info dos idt
19896These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19897and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19898tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19899that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19900descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19901descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19902rights.
19903
19904A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19905segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19906allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19907conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19908additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19909
19910@cindex garbled pointers
19911These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19912Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19913displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19914display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19915example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19916debugged program's data segment:
19917
19918@smallexample
19919@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19920@exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19921@end smallexample
19922
19923@noindent
19924This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19925the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19926
19927@cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19928@item info dos pde
19929@itemx info dos pte
19930These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19931Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19932data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19933into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19934page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19935may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19936Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19937that is currently in use.
19938
19939Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19940Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19941the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19942@kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19943Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19944means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19945the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19946
19947@cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19948These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19949Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19950controller.
19951
19952These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19953
19954@cindex physical address from linear address
19955@item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19956This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19957address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19958already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19959because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19960segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19961the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19962
19963@smallexample
19964@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19965@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19966@exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19967@end smallexample
19968
19969@noindent
19970This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19971whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19972attributes of that page.
19973
19974Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19975since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19976address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19977be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19978declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19979@code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19980
19981Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19982transfer buffer:
19983
19984@smallexample
19985@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19986@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19987@exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19988@end smallexample
19989
19990@noindent
19991(The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
199923rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19993clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19994memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19995linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19996
19997This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19998@end table
19999
20000@cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
20001In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
20002debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
20003to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
20004
20005@table @code
20006@kindex set com1base
20007@kindex set com1irq
20008@kindex set com2base
20009@kindex set com2irq
20010@kindex set com3base
20011@kindex set com3irq
20012@kindex set com4base
20013@kindex set com4irq
20014@item set com1base @var{addr}
20015This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
20016port.
20017
20018@item set com1irq @var{irq}
20019This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
20020for the @file{COM1} serial port.
20021
20022There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
20023etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
20024other 3 COM ports.
20025
20026@kindex show com1base
20027@kindex show com1irq
20028@kindex show com2base
20029@kindex show com2irq
20030@kindex show com3base
20031@kindex show com3irq
20032@kindex show com4base
20033@kindex show com4irq
20034The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
20035display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
20036lines used by the COM ports.
20037
20038@item info serial
20039@kindex info serial
20040@cindex DOS serial port status
20041This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
20042port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
20043IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
20044counts of various errors encountered so far.
20045@end table
20046
20047
20048@node Cygwin Native
20049@subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
20050@cindex MS Windows debugging
20051@cindex native Cygwin debugging
20052@cindex Cygwin-specific commands
20053
20054@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
20055DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
20056
20057@cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
20058@cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
20059MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
20060special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
20061by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
20062supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
20063sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
20064ignores @kbd{C-c}.
20065
20066There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
20067this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
20068described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
20069
20070@table @code
20071@kindex info w32
20072@item info w32
20073This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
20074information about the target system and important OS structures.
20075
20076@item info w32 selector
20077This command displays information returned by
20078the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
20079It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
20080a long value to give the information about this given selector.
20081Without argument, this command displays information
20082about the six segment registers.
20083
20084@item info w32 thread-information-block
20085This command displays thread specific information stored in the
20086Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
20087selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
20088
20089@kindex info dll
20090@item info dll
20091This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
20092
20093@kindex dll-symbols
20094@item dll-symbols
20095This command is deprecated and will be removed in future versions
20096of @value{GDBN}. Use the @code{sharedlibrary} command instead.
20097
20098This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
20099add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
20100
20101@kindex set cygwin-exceptions
20102@cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
20103@cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
20104@item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
20105If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
20106happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
20107@value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
20108exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
20109``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
20110Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
20111@value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
20112
20113@kindex show cygwin-exceptions
20114@item show cygwin-exceptions
20115Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
20116inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
20117
20118@kindex set new-console
20119@item set new-console @var{mode}
20120If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
20121be started in a new console on next start.
20122If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
20123be started in the same console as the debugger.
20124
20125@kindex show new-console
20126@item show new-console
20127Displays whether a new console is used
20128when the debuggee is started.
20129
20130@kindex set new-group
20131@item set new-group @var{mode}
20132This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
20133start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
20134This affects the way the Windows OS handles
20135@samp{Ctrl-C}.
20136
20137@kindex show new-group
20138@item show new-group
20139Displays current value of new-group boolean.
20140
20141@kindex set debugevents
20142@item set debugevents
20143This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
20144to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
20145signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
20146unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
20147Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
20148
20149@kindex set debugexec
20150@item set debugexec
20151This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
20152(such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
20153
20154@kindex set debugexceptions
20155@item set debugexceptions
20156This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
20157debuggee seen by the debugger.
20158
20159@kindex set debugmemory
20160@item set debugmemory
20161This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
20162and writes by the debugger.
20163
20164@kindex set shell
20165@item set shell
20166This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
20167via a shell or directly (default value is on).
20168
20169@kindex show shell
20170@item show shell
20171Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
20172
20173@end table
20174
20175@menu
20176* Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
20177@end menu
20178
20179@node Non-debug DLL Symbols
20180@subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
20181@cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
20182@cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
20183
20184Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
20185not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
20186@file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
20187symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
20188information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
20189describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
20190``minimal symbols''.
20191
20192Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
20193will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
20194start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
20195program run once to completion.
20196
20197@subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
20198
20199In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
20200tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
20201DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
20202also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
20203sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
20204(particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
20205necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
20206contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
20207exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
20208
20209Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
20210though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
20211symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
20212some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
20213@code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
20214(@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
20215
20216@smallexample
20217(@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
20218All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
20219
20220Non-debugging symbols:
202210x77e885f4 CreateFileA
202220x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
20223@end smallexample
20224
20225@smallexample
20226(@value{GDBP}) info function !
20227All functions matching regular expression "!":
20228
20229Non-debugging symbols:
202300x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
202310x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
202320x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
20233[etc...]
20234@end smallexample
20235
20236@subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
20237
20238Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
20239type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
20240refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
20241contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
20242contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
20243means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
20244a function within a DLL without a running program.
20245
20246Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
20247automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
20248variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
20249type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
20250problem:
20251
20252@smallexample
20253(@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
20254$1 = 268572168
20255@end smallexample
20256
20257@smallexample
20258(@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
202590x10021610: "\230y\""
20260@end smallexample
20261
20262And two possible solutions:
20263
20264@smallexample
20265(@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
20266$2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
20267@end smallexample
20268
20269@smallexample
20270(@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
202710x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
20272(@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
202730x10021608: 0x0022fd98
20274(@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
202750x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
20276@end smallexample
20277
20278Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
20279starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
20280examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
20281function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
20282to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
20283
20284@smallexample
20285(@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
20286Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
20287@end smallexample
20288
20289The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
20290break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
20291safe.
20292
20293@node Hurd Native
20294@subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
20295@cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
20296
20297This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
20298@sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
20299
20300@table @code
20301@item set signals
20302@itemx set sigs
20303@kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
20304@kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
20305This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
20306@value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
20307affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
20308@code{signals}.
20309
20310@item show signals
20311@itemx show sigs
20312@kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
20313@kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
20314Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
20315
20316@item set signal-thread
20317@itemx set sigthread
20318@kindex set signal-thread
20319@kindex set sigthread
20320This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
20321thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
20322process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
20323signal-thread}.
20324
20325@item show signal-thread
20326@itemx show sigthread
20327@kindex show signal-thread
20328@kindex show sigthread
20329These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
20330delivered a signal.
20331
20332@item set stopped
20333@kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
20334This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
20335as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
20336continued by delivering a signal to it.
20337
20338@item show stopped
20339@kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
20340This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
20341stopped.
20342
20343@item set exceptions
20344@kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
20345Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
20346When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
20347single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
20348trapping on.
20349
20350@item show exceptions
20351@kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
20352Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
20353
20354@item set task pause
20355@kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
20356@cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
20357@cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
20358This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
20359Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
20360whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
20361effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
20362to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
20363thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
20364
20365@item show task pause
20366@kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
20367Show the current state of task suspension.
20368
20369@item set task detach-suspend-count
20370@cindex task suspend count
20371@cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20372This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
20373@value{GDBN} detaches from it.
20374
20375@item show task detach-suspend-count
20376Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
20377
20378@item set task exception-port
20379@itemx set task excp
20380@cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20381This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
20382forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
20383rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
20384
20385@item set noninvasive
20386@cindex noninvasive task options
20387This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
20388invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
20389is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
20390@code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
20391
20392@item info send-rights
20393@itemx info receive-rights
20394@itemx info port-rights
20395@itemx info port-sets
20396@itemx info dead-names
20397@itemx info ports
20398@itemx info psets
20399@cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20400@cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20401@cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20402@cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20403@cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20404These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
20405receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
20406There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
20407port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
20408
20409@item set thread pause
20410@kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
20411@cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20412@cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
20413This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
20414control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
20415thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
20416off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
20417Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
20418control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
20419task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
20420only the current thread.
20421
20422@item show thread pause
20423@kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
20424This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
20425
20426@item set thread run
20427This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
20428
20429@item show thread run
20430Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
20431
20432@item set thread detach-suspend-count
20433@cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20434@cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20435This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
20436thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
20437found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
20438takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
20439
20440@item show thread detach-suspend-count
20441Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
20442detaching.
20443
20444@item set thread exception-port
20445@itemx set thread excp
20446Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
20447overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
20448@code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
20449
20450@item set thread takeover-suspend-count
20451Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
20452value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
20453changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
20454
20455@item set thread default
20456@itemx show thread default
20457@cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
20458Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
20459default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
20460thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
20461variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
20462threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
20463the non-default commands.
20464@end table
20465
20466@node Darwin
20467@subsection Darwin
20468@cindex Darwin
20469
20470@value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
20471
20472@table @code
20473@item set debug darwin @var{num}
20474@kindex set debug darwin
20475When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
20476the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
20477
20478@item show debug darwin
20479@kindex show debug darwin
20480Show the current state of Darwin messages.
20481
20482@item set debug mach-o @var{num}
20483@kindex set debug mach-o
20484When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
20485@value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
20486file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
20487values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
20488problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
20489usage.
20490
20491@item show debug mach-o
20492@kindex show debug mach-o
20493Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
20494
20495@item set mach-exceptions on
20496@itemx set mach-exceptions off
20497@kindex set mach-exceptions
20498On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
20499mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
20500Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
20501better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
20502
20503@item show mach-exceptions
20504@kindex show mach-exceptions
20505Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
20506@end table
20507
20508
20509@node Embedded OS
20510@section Embedded Operating Systems
20511
20512This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
20513embedded operating systems that are available for several different
20514architectures.
20515
20516@menu
20517* VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
20518@end menu
20519
20520@value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
20521various real-time operating systems.
20522
20523@node VxWorks
20524@subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
20525
20526@cindex VxWorks
20527
20528@table @code
20529
20530@kindex target vxworks
20531@item target vxworks @var{machinename}
20532A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
20533is the target system's machine name or IP address.
20534
20535@end table
20536
20537On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
20538current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
20539
20540@value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
20541VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
20542the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20543both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
20544@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
20545installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
20546@value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
20547
20548@table @code
20549@item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
20550@kindex vxworks-timeout
20551All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
20552This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20553seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
20554your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
20555of a thin network line.
20556@end table
20557
20558The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
20559this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
20560procedures.
20561
20562@findex INCLUDE_RDB
20563To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
20564to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
20565library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
20566VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
20567kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
20568source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
20569information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
20570manual.
20571@c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
20572
20573Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
20574your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20575run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
20576@code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
20577
20578@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20579
20580@smallexample
20581(vxgdb)
20582@end smallexample
20583
20584@menu
20585* VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
20586* VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
20587* VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
20588@end menu
20589
20590@node VxWorks Connection
20591@subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
20592
20593The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
20594network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
20595
20596@smallexample
20597(vxgdb) target vxworks tt
20598@end smallexample
20599
20600@need 750
20601@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20602
20603@smallexample
20604Attaching remote machine across net...
20605Connected to tt.
20606@end smallexample
20607
20608@need 1000
20609@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
20610loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
20611these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
20612path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
20613to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
20614
20615@smallexample
20616prog.o: No such file or directory.
20617@end smallexample
20618
20619When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
20620the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
20621command again.
20622
20623@node VxWorks Download
20624@subsubsection VxWorks Download
20625
20626@cindex download to VxWorks
20627If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
20628object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
20629@code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
20630incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
20631command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
20632to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
20633table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
20634the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
20635filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
20636Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
20637to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
20638the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
20639@file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
20640and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
20641program, type this on VxWorks:
20642
20643@smallexample
20644-> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
20645@end smallexample
20646
20647@noindent
20648Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20649
20650@smallexample
20651(vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
20652(vxgdb) load prog.o
20653@end smallexample
20654
20655@value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
20656
20657@smallexample
20658Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
20659@end smallexample
20660
20661You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
20662after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
20663this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
20664auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
20665history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
20666debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
20667table.)
20668
20669@node VxWorks Attach
20670@subsubsection Running Tasks
20671
20672@cindex running VxWorks tasks
20673You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
20674follows:
20675
20676@smallexample
20677(vxgdb) attach @var{task}
20678@end smallexample
20679
20680@noindent
20681where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
20682or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
20683the time of attachment.
20684
20685@node Embedded Processors
20686@section Embedded Processors
20687
20688This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
20689configurations.
20690
20691@cindex send command to simulator
20692Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
20693allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
20694
20695@table @code
20696@item sim @var{command}
20697@kindex sim@r{, a command}
20698Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
20699documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
20700acceptable commands.
20701@end table
20702
20703
20704@menu
20705* ARM:: ARM RDI
20706* M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
20707* M68K:: Motorola M68K
20708* MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
20709* MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
20710* PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
20711* PA:: HP PA Embedded
20712* Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
20713* Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
20714* Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
20715* AVR:: Atmel AVR
20716* CRIS:: CRIS
20717* Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
20718@end menu
20719
20720@node ARM
20721@subsection ARM
20722@cindex ARM RDI
20723
20724@table @code
20725@kindex target rdi
20726@item target rdi @var{dev}
20727ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
20728use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
20729monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
20730
20731@kindex target rdp
20732@item target rdp @var{dev}
20733ARM Demon monitor.
20734
20735@end table
20736
20737@value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
20738
20739@table @code
20740@item set arm disassembler
20741@kindex set arm
20742This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
20743@code{"std"} style is the standard style.
20744
20745@item show arm disassembler
20746@kindex show arm
20747Show the current disassembly style.
20748
20749@item set arm apcs32
20750@cindex ARM 32-bit mode
20751This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
20752
20753@item show arm apcs32
20754Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
20755
20756@item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
20757This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
20758argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
20759
20760@table @code
20761@item auto
20762Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
20763@item softfpa
20764Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
20765processors.
20766@item fpa
20767GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
20768@item softvfp
20769Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
20770@item vfp
20771VFP co-processor.
20772@end table
20773
20774@item show arm fpu
20775Show the current type of the FPU.
20776
20777@item set arm abi
20778This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
20779
20780@item show arm abi
20781Show the currently used ABI.
20782
20783@item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20784@value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20785whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20786@value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20787available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20788use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20789register).
20790
20791@item show arm fallback-mode
20792Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20793
20794@item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20795This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20796instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20797causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20798of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20799
20800@item show arm force-mode
20801Show the current forced instruction mode.
20802
20803@item set debug arm
20804Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20805target support subsystem.
20806
20807@item show debug arm
20808Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20809@end table
20810
20811The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20812using the RDI interface:
20813
20814@table @code
20815@item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20816@kindex rdilogfile
20817@cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20818Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20819With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20820no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20821@file{rdi.log}.
20822
20823@item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20824@kindex rdilogenable
20825Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20826enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20827no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20828ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20829are logged to a file.
20830
20831@item set rdiromatzero
20832@kindex set rdiromatzero
20833@cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20834Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20835vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20836(the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20837effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20838
20839@item show rdiromatzero
20840@kindex show rdiromatzero
20841Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20842
20843@item set rdiheartbeat
20844@kindex set rdiheartbeat
20845@cindex RDI heartbeat
20846Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20847turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20848well as the Angel monitor.
20849
20850@item show rdiheartbeat
20851@kindex show rdiheartbeat
20852Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20853@end table
20854
20855@table @code
20856@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20857The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20858
20859@table @code
20860@item --swi-support=@var{type}
20861Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support. The argument
20862@var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20863The default value is @code{all}.
20864
20865@table @code
20866@item none
20867@item demon
20868@item angel
20869@item redboot
20870@item all
20871@end table
20872@end table
20873@end table
20874
20875@node M32R/D
20876@subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20877
20878@table @code
20879@kindex target m32r
20880@item target m32r @var{dev}
20881Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20882
20883@kindex target m32rsdi
20884@item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20885Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20886@end table
20887
20888The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20889
20890@table @code
20891@item set download-path @var{path}
20892@kindex set download-path
20893@cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20894Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20895
20896@item show download-path
20897@kindex show download-path
20898Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20899
20900@item set board-address @var{addr}
20901@kindex set board-address
20902@cindex M32-EVA target board address
20903Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20904
20905@item show board-address
20906@kindex show board-address
20907Show the current IP address of the target board.
20908
20909@item set server-address @var{addr}
20910@kindex set server-address
20911@cindex download server address (M32R)
20912Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20913host machine.
20914
20915@item show server-address
20916@kindex show server-address
20917Display the IP address of the download server.
20918
20919@item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20920@kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20921Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20922upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20923executable file is uploaded.
20924
20925@item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20926@kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20927Test the @code{upload} command.
20928@end table
20929
20930The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20931
20932@table @code
20933@item sdireset
20934@kindex sdireset
20935@cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20936This command resets the SDI connection.
20937
20938@item sdistatus
20939@kindex sdistatus
20940This command shows the SDI connection status.
20941
20942@item debug_chaos
20943@kindex debug_chaos
20944@cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20945Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20946
20947@item use_debug_dma
20948@kindex use_debug_dma
20949Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20950
20951@item use_mon_code
20952@kindex use_mon_code
20953Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20954
20955@item use_ib_break
20956@kindex use_ib_break
20957Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20958
20959@item use_dbt_break
20960@kindex use_dbt_break
20961Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20962@end table
20963
20964@node M68K
20965@subsection M68k
20966
20967The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20968target command for the following ROM monitor.
20969
20970@table @code
20971
20972@kindex target dbug
20973@item target dbug @var{dev}
20974dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20975
20976@end table
20977
20978@node MicroBlaze
20979@subsection MicroBlaze
20980@cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20981@cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20982
20983The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20984FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20985usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20986Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20987This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20988the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20989communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20990presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20991@code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20992this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20993commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20994
20995Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20996
20997@table @code
20998@item target remote :1234
20999Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
21000on the same system as @code{xmd}.
21001
21002@item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
21003Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
21004running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
21005
21006@item load
21007Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
21008
21009@item set debug microblaze @var{n}
21010Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
21011
21012@item show debug microblaze @var{n}
21013Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
21014@end table
21015
21016@node MIPS Embedded
21017@subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
21018
21019@cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
21020@value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
21021@acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
21022you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
21023
21024@need 1000
21025Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
21026
21027@table @code
21028@item target mips @var{port}
21029@kindex target mips @var{port}
21030To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
21031name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
21032command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
21033the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
21034been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
21035download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
21036
21037For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
21038port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
21039debugger:
21040
21041@smallexample
21042host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
21043@value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
21044(@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
21045(@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
21046(@value{GDBP}) run
21047@end smallexample
21048
21049@item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
21050On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
21051connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
21052concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
21053@samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
21054
21055@item target pmon @var{port}
21056@kindex target pmon @var{port}
21057PMON ROM monitor.
21058
21059@item target ddb @var{port}
21060@kindex target ddb @var{port}
21061NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
21062
21063@item target lsi @var{port}
21064@kindex target lsi @var{port}
21065LSI variant of PMON.
21066
21067@kindex target r3900
21068@item target r3900 @var{dev}
21069Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
21070
21071@kindex target array
21072@item target array @var{dev}
21073Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
21074
21075@end table
21076
21077
21078@noindent
21079@value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
21080
21081@table @code
21082@item set mipsfpu double
21083@itemx set mipsfpu single
21084@itemx set mipsfpu none
21085@itemx set mipsfpu auto
21086@itemx show mipsfpu
21087@kindex set mipsfpu
21088@kindex show mipsfpu
21089@cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
21090@cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
21091If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
21092coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
21093need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
21094file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
21095functions which return floating point values. It also allows
21096@value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
21097functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
21098with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
21099processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
21100double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
21101@samp{set mipsfpu double}.
21102
21103In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
21104floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
21105and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
21106
21107As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
21108@samp{show mipsfpu}.
21109
21110@item set timeout @var{seconds}
21111@itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
21112@itemx show timeout
21113@itemx show retransmit-timeout
21114@cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21115@cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
21116@kindex set timeout
21117@kindex show timeout
21118@kindex set retransmit-timeout
21119@kindex show retransmit-timeout
21120You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
21121remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
21122default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
21123waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
21124retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
21125You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
21126retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
21127@value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
21128
21129The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
21130is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
21131forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
21132to run before stopping.
21133
21134@item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
21135@kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21136@cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
21137Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
21138it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
21139characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
21140
21141@item show syn-garbage-limit
21142@kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21143Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
21144trying to synchronize with the remote system.
21145
21146@item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
21147@kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21148@cindex remote monitor prompt
21149Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
21150remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
21151@table @asis
21152@item pmon target
21153@samp{PMON}
21154@item ddb target
21155@samp{NEC010}
21156@item lsi target
21157@samp{PMON>}
21158@end table
21159
21160@item show monitor-prompt
21161@kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21162Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
21163remote monitor.
21164
21165@item set monitor-warnings
21166@kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21167Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
21168has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
21169display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
21170PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
21171
21172@item show monitor-warnings
21173@kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21174Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
21175
21176@item pmon @var{command}
21177@kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
21178@cindex send PMON command
21179This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
21180monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
21181@end table
21182
21183@node PowerPC Embedded
21184@subsection PowerPC Embedded
21185
21186@cindex DVC register
21187@value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
21188implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
21189
21190@smallexample
21191(@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
21192 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
21193@end smallexample
21194
21195The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
21196such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
21197debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
21198variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
21199is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
21200or newer.
21201
21202When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
21203ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
21204in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
21205watching variables of scalar types.
21206
21207You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
21208region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
21209
21210@smallexample
21211(@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
21212(@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
21213@end smallexample
21214
21215PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
21216about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
21217
21218@cindex ranged breakpoint
21219PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
21220@dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
21221the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
21222the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
21223use the @code{break-range} command.
21224
21225@value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
21226
21227@table @code
21228@kindex break-range
21229@item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
21230Set a breakpoint for an address range given by
21231@var{start-location} and @var{end-location}, which can specify a function name,
21232a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
21233location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
21234for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
21235The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
21236executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
21237(including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
21238
21239@kindex set powerpc
21240@item set powerpc soft-float
21241@itemx show powerpc soft-float
21242Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
21243convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
21244on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
21245
21246@item set powerpc vector-abi
21247@itemx show powerpc vector-abi
21248Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
21249arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
21250@samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
21251@samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
21252registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
21253based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
21254
21255@item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
21256@itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
21257Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
21258of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
21259address of its first byte.
21260
21261@kindex target dink32
21262@item target dink32 @var{dev}
21263DINK32 ROM monitor.
21264
21265@kindex target ppcbug
21266@item target ppcbug @var{dev}
21267@kindex target ppcbug1
21268@item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
21269PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
21270
21271@kindex target sds
21272@item target sds @var{dev}
21273SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
21274@end table
21275
21276@cindex SDS protocol
21277The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
21278by @value{GDBN}:
21279
21280@table @code
21281@item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
21282@kindex set sdstimeout
21283Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
21284default is 2 seconds.
21285
21286@item show sdstimeout
21287@kindex show sdstimeout
21288Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
21289
21290@item sds @var{command}
21291@kindex sds@r{, a command}
21292Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
21293@end table
21294
21295
21296@node PA
21297@subsection HP PA Embedded
21298
21299@table @code
21300
21301@kindex target op50n
21302@item target op50n @var{dev}
21303OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
21304
21305@kindex target w89k
21306@item target w89k @var{dev}
21307W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
21308
21309@end table
21310
21311@node Sparclet
21312@subsection Tsqware Sparclet
21313
21314@cindex Sparclet
21315
21316@value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
21317Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
21318@value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
21319both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
21320@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
21321
21322@table @code
21323@item remotetimeout @var{args}
21324@kindex remotetimeout
21325@value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
21326This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
21327seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
21328@end table
21329
21330@cindex compiling, on Sparclet
21331When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
21332information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
21333load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
21334@samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
21335
21336@smallexample
21337sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
21338@end smallexample
21339
21340You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
21341
21342@smallexample
21343sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
21344@end smallexample
21345
21346@cindex running, on Sparclet
21347Once you have set
21348your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
21349run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
21350(or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
21351
21352@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
21353
21354@smallexample
21355(gdbslet)
21356@end smallexample
21357
21358@menu
21359* Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
21360* Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
21361* Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
21362* Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
21363@end menu
21364
21365@node Sparclet File
21366@subsubsection Setting File to Debug
21367
21368The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
21369
21370@smallexample
21371(gdbslet) file prog
21372@end smallexample
21373
21374@need 1000
21375@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
21376@value{GDBN} locates
21377the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
21378path.
21379If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
21380files will be searched as well.
21381@value{GDBN} locates
21382the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
21383path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
21384If it fails
21385to find a file, it displays a message such as:
21386
21387@smallexample
21388prog: No such file or directory.
21389@end smallexample
21390
21391When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
21392the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
21393@code{target} command again.
21394
21395@node Sparclet Connection
21396@subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
21397
21398The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
21399To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
21400
21401@smallexample
21402(gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
21403Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
21404main () at ../prog.c:3
21405@end smallexample
21406
21407@need 750
21408@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
21409
21410@smallexample
21411Connected to ttya.
21412@end smallexample
21413
21414@node Sparclet Download
21415@subsubsection Sparclet Download
21416
21417@cindex download to Sparclet
21418Once connected to the Sparclet target,
21419you can use the @value{GDBN}
21420@code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
21421The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
21422command.
21423Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
21424address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
21425offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
21426of each of the file's sections.
21427For instance, if the program
21428@file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
21429and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
21430
21431@smallexample
21432(gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
21433Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
21434@end smallexample
21435
21436If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
21437to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
21438to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
21439
21440@node Sparclet Execution
21441@subsubsection Running and Debugging
21442
21443@cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
21444You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
21445commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
21446manual for the list of commands.
21447
21448@smallexample
21449(gdbslet) b main
21450Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
21451(gdbslet) run
21452Starting program: prog
21453Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
214543 char *symarg = 0;
21455(gdbslet) step
214564 char *execarg = "hello!";
21457(gdbslet)
21458@end smallexample
21459
21460@node Sparclite
21461@subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
21462
21463@table @code
21464
21465@kindex target sparclite
21466@item target sparclite @var{dev}
21467Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
21468You must use an additional command to debug the program.
21469For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
21470remote protocol.
21471
21472@end table
21473
21474@node Z8000
21475@subsection Zilog Z8000
21476
21477@cindex Z8000
21478@cindex simulator, Z8000
21479@cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
21480
21481When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
21482a Z8000 simulator.
21483
21484For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
21485unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
21486segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
21487appropriate by inspecting the object code.
21488
21489@table @code
21490@item target sim @var{args}
21491@kindex sim
21492@kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
21493Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
21494options, specify them via @var{args}.
21495@end table
21496
21497@noindent
21498After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
21499CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
21500@code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
21501to run your program, and so on.
21502
21503As well as making available all the usual machine registers
21504(@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
21505additional items of information as specially named registers:
21506
21507@table @code
21508
21509@item cycles
21510Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
21511
21512@item insts
21513Counts instructions run in the simulator.
21514
21515@item time
21516Execution time in 60ths of a second.
21517
21518@end table
21519
21520You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
21521conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
21522conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
21523simulated clock ticks.
21524
21525@node AVR
21526@subsection Atmel AVR
21527@cindex AVR
21528
21529When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
21530following AVR-specific commands:
21531
21532@table @code
21533@item info io_registers
21534@kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
21535@cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
21536This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
21537each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
21538@end table
21539
21540@node CRIS
21541@subsection CRIS
21542@cindex CRIS
21543
21544When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
21545following CRIS-specific commands:
21546
21547@table @code
21548@item set cris-version @var{ver}
21549@cindex CRIS version
21550Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
21551The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
21552case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
21553
21554@item show cris-version
21555Show the current CRIS version.
21556
21557@item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
21558@cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
21559Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
21560Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
21561@code{R59}.
21562
21563@item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
21564Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
21565
21566@item set cris-mode @var{mode}
21567@cindex CRIS mode
21568Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
21569debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
21570@samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
21571
21572@item show cris-mode
21573Show the current CRIS mode.
21574@end table
21575
21576@node Super-H
21577@subsection Renesas Super-H
21578@cindex Super-H
21579
21580For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
21581commands:
21582
21583@table @code
21584@item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
21585@kindex set sh calling-convention
21586Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
21587Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
21588With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
21589convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
21590that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
21591is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
21592is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
21593regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
21594default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
21595does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
21596
21597@item show sh calling-convention
21598@kindex show sh calling-convention
21599Show the current calling convention setting.
21600
21601@end table
21602
21603
21604@node Architectures
21605@section Architectures
21606
21607This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
21608all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
21609
21610@menu
21611* AArch64::
21612* i386::
21613* Alpha::
21614* MIPS::
21615* HPPA:: HP PA architecture
21616* SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21617* PowerPC::
21618* Nios II::
21619@end menu
21620
21621@node AArch64
21622@subsection AArch64
21623@cindex AArch64 support
21624
21625When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
21626following special commands:
21627
21628@table @code
21629@item set debug aarch64
21630@kindex set debug aarch64
21631This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
21632messages are to be displayed.
21633
21634@item show debug aarch64
21635Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
21636
21637@end table
21638
21639@node i386
21640@subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
21641
21642@table @code
21643@item set struct-convention @var{mode}
21644@kindex set struct-convention
21645@cindex struct return convention
21646@cindex struct/union returned in registers
21647Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
21648@code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
21649@var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
21650default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
21651are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
21652@code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
21653be returned in a register.
21654
21655@item show struct-convention
21656@kindex show struct-convention
21657Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
21658from functions.
21659@end table
21660
21661@subsubsection Intel(R) @dfn{Memory Protection Extensions} (MPX).
21662@cindex Intel(R) Memory Protection Extensions (MPX).
21663
21664Memory Protection Extension (MPX) adds the bound registers @samp{BND0}
21665@footnote{The register named with capital letters represent the architecture
21666registers.} through @samp{BND3}. Bound registers store a pair of 64-bit values
21667which are the lower bound and upper bound. Bounds are effective addresses or
21668memory locations. The upper bounds are architecturally represented in 1's
21669complement form. A bound having lower bound = 0, and upper bound = 0
21670(1's complement of all bits set) will allow access to the entire address space.
21671
21672@samp{BND0} through @samp{BND3} are represented in @value{GDBN} as @samp{bnd0raw}
21673through @samp{bnd3raw}. Pseudo registers @samp{bnd0} through @samp{bnd3}
21674display the upper bound performing the complement of one operation on the
21675upper bound value, i.e.@ when upper bound in @samp{bnd0raw} is 0 in the
21676@value{GDBN} @samp{bnd0} it will be @code{0xfff@dots{}}. In this sense it
21677can also be noted that the upper bounds are inclusive.
21678
21679As an example, assume that the register BND0 holds bounds for a pointer having
21680access allowed for the range between 0x32 and 0x71. The values present on
21681bnd0raw and bnd registers are presented as follows:
21682
21683@smallexample
21684 bnd0raw = @{0x32, 0xffffffff8e@}
21685 bnd0 = @{lbound = 0x32, ubound = 0x71@} : size 64
21686@end smallexample
21687
21688This way the raw value can be accessed via bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw. Any
21689change on bnd0@dots{}bnd3 or bnd0raw@dots{}bnd3raw is reflect on its
21690counterpart. When the bnd0@dots{}bnd3 registers are displayed via
21691Python, the display includes the memory size, in bits, accessible to
21692the pointer.
21693
21694@node Alpha
21695@subsection Alpha
21696
21697See the following section.
21698
21699@node MIPS
21700@subsection @acronym{MIPS}
21701
21702@cindex stack on Alpha
21703@cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
21704@cindex Alpha stack
21705@cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
21706Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
21707sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
21708find the beginning of a function.
21709
21710@cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
21711To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
21712@value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
21713you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
21714commands:
21715
21716@table @code
21717@cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
21718@item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
21719Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
21720search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
21721default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
21722larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
21723and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
21724this command when debugging a stripped executable.
21725
21726@item show heuristic-fence-post
21727Display the current limit.
21728@end table
21729
21730@noindent
21731These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
21732for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
21733
21734Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
21735programs:
21736
21737@table @code
21738@item set mips abi @var{arg}
21739@kindex set mips abi
21740@cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
21741Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
21742values of @var{arg} are:
21743
21744@table @samp
21745@item auto
21746The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
21747default).
21748@item o32
21749@item o64
21750@item n32
21751@item n64
21752@item eabi32
21753@item eabi64
21754@end table
21755
21756@item show mips abi
21757@kindex show mips abi
21758Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21759
21760@item set mips compression @var{arg}
21761@kindex set mips compression
21762@cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
21763Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
21764@acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
21765inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
21766internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
21767when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
21768the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
21769Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
21770provided by the executable.
21771
21772Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
21773The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
21774executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
21775identified as such.
21776
21777This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
21778debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
21779implicitly from an executable.
21780
21781The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
21782identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
21783@acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
21784are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
21785compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
21786
21787@item show mips compression
21788@kindex show mips compression
21789Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
21790@value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21791
21792@item set mipsfpu
21793@itemx show mipsfpu
21794@xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
21795
21796@item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
21797@kindex set mips mask-address
21798@cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
21799This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
21800@acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
21801@samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
21802setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
21803
21804@item show mips mask-address
21805@kindex show mips mask-address
21806Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
21807not.
21808
21809@item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21810@kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21811This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
21812transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
21813that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
21814and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
21815
21816@item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21817@kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21818Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
21819
21820@item set debug mips
21821@kindex set debug mips
21822This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
21823target code in @value{GDBN}.
21824
21825@item show debug mips
21826@kindex show debug mips
21827Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21828@end table
21829
21830
21831@node HPPA
21832@subsection HPPA
21833@cindex HPPA support
21834
21835When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21836following special commands:
21837
21838@table @code
21839@item set debug hppa
21840@kindex set debug hppa
21841This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21842messages are to be displayed.
21843
21844@item show debug hppa
21845Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21846
21847@item maint print unwind @var{address}
21848@kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21849This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21850given @var{address}.
21851
21852@end table
21853
21854
21855@node SPU
21856@subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21857@cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21858@cindex SPU
21859
21860When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21861it provides the following special commands:
21862
21863@table @code
21864@item info spu event
21865@kindex info spu
21866Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21867and pending event status.
21868
21869@item info spu signal
21870Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21871signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21872notification channels.
21873
21874@item info spu mailbox
21875Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21876in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21877SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21878
21879@item info spu dma
21880Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21881DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21882and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21883
21884@item info spu proxydma
21885Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21886Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21887and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21888
21889@end table
21890
21891When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21892on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21893special commands:
21894
21895@table @code
21896@item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21897@kindex set spu
21898Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21899will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21900function. The default is @code{off}.
21901
21902@item show spu stop-on-load
21903@kindex show spu
21904Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21905
21906@item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21907Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21908@code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21909cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21910view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21911does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21912
21913@item show spu auto-flush-cache
21914Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21915
21916@end table
21917
21918@node PowerPC
21919@subsection PowerPC
21920@cindex PowerPC architecture
21921
21922When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21923pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21924numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21925in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21926@code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21927
21928The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21929by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21930@code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21931
21932For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21933wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21934
21935@node Nios II
21936@subsection Nios II
21937@cindex Nios II architecture
21938
21939When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
21940it provides the following special commands:
21941
21942@table @code
21943
21944@item set debug nios2
21945@kindex set debug nios2
21946This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
21947target code in @value{GDBN}.
21948
21949@item show debug nios2
21950@kindex show debug nios2
21951Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
21952@end table
21953
21954@node Controlling GDB
21955@chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21956
21957You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21958@code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21959data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21960described here.
21961
21962@menu
21963* Prompt:: Prompt
21964* Editing:: Command editing
21965* Command History:: Command history
21966* Screen Size:: Screen size
21967* Numbers:: Numbers
21968* ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21969* Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21970* Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21971* Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21972* Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21973@end menu
21974
21975@node Prompt
21976@section Prompt
21977
21978@cindex prompt
21979
21980@value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21981called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21982can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21983instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21984the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21985which one you are talking to.
21986
21987@emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21988prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21989or a prompt that does not.
21990
21991@table @code
21992@kindex set prompt
21993@item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21994Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21995
21996@kindex show prompt
21997@item show prompt
21998Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21999@end table
22000
22001Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
22002prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
22003are:
22004
22005@table @code
22006@kindex set extended-prompt
22007@item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
22008Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
22009@xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
22010substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
22011string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
22012is displayed.
22013
22014For example:
22015
22016@smallexample
22017set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
22018@end smallexample
22019
22020Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
22021@var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
22022
22023@kindex show extended-prompt
22024@item show extended-prompt
22025Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
22026the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
22027corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
22028@end table
22029
22030@node Editing
22031@section Command Editing
22032@cindex readline
22033@cindex command line editing
22034
22035@value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
22036@sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
22037command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
22038or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
22039substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
22040debugging sessions.
22041
22042You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
22043command @code{set}.
22044
22045@table @code
22046@kindex set editing
22047@cindex editing
22048@item set editing
22049@itemx set editing on
22050Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
22051
22052@item set editing off
22053Disable command line editing.
22054
22055@kindex show editing
22056@item show editing
22057Show whether command line editing is enabled.
22058@end table
22059
22060@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22061@xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
22062@end ifset
22063@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22064@xref{Command Line Editing},
22065@end ifclear
22066for more details about the Readline
22067interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
22068encouraged to read that chapter.
22069
22070@node Command History
22071@section Command History
22072@cindex command history
22073
22074@value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
22075debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
22076happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
22077history facility.
22078
22079@value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
22080package, to provide the history facility.
22081@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22082@xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
22083@end ifset
22084@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22085@xref{Using History Interactively},
22086@end ifclear
22087for the detailed description of the History library.
22088
22089To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
22090the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
22091(@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
22092means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
22093affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
22094pressed on a line by itself.
22095
22096@cindex @code{server}, command prefix
22097The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
22098history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
22099use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
22100
22101Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
22102history.
22103
22104@table @code
22105@cindex history substitution
22106@cindex history file
22107@kindex set history filename
22108@cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
22109@item set history filename @var{fname}
22110Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
22111This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
22112list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
22113exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
22114the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
22115to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
22116@file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
22117is not set.
22118
22119@cindex save command history
22120@kindex set history save
22121@item set history save
22122@itemx set history save on
22123Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
22124@code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
22125
22126@item set history save off
22127Stop recording command history in a file.
22128
22129@cindex history size
22130@kindex set history size
22131@cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
22132@item set history size @var{size}
22133@itemx set history size unlimited
22134Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
22135This defaults to the value of the environment variable
22136@code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
22137is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
22138history list is unlimited.
22139@end table
22140
22141History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
22142@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
22143@xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
22144@end ifset
22145@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
22146@xref{Event Designators},
22147@end ifclear
22148for more details.
22149
22150@cindex history expansion, turn on/off
22151Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
22152is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
22153@code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
22154follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
22155a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
22156history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
22157@kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
22158
22159The commands to control history expansion are:
22160
22161@table @code
22162@item set history expansion on
22163@itemx set history expansion
22164@kindex set history expansion
22165Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
22166
22167@item set history expansion off
22168Disable history expansion.
22169
22170@c @group
22171@kindex show history
22172@item show history
22173@itemx show history filename
22174@itemx show history save
22175@itemx show history size
22176@itemx show history expansion
22177These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
22178@code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
22179@c @end group
22180@end table
22181
22182@table @code
22183@kindex show commands
22184@cindex show last commands
22185@cindex display command history
22186@item show commands
22187Display the last ten commands in the command history.
22188
22189@item show commands @var{n}
22190Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
22191
22192@item show commands +
22193Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
22194@end table
22195
22196@node Screen Size
22197@section Screen Size
22198@cindex size of screen
22199@cindex screen size
22200@cindex pagination
22201@cindex page size
22202@cindex pauses in output
22203
22204Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
22205information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
22206@value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
22207output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
22208to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
22209determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
22210printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
22211rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
22212
22213Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
22214driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
22215together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
22216@code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
22217you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
22218width} commands:
22219
22220@table @code
22221@kindex set height
22222@kindex set width
22223@kindex show width
22224@kindex show height
22225@item set height @var{lpp}
22226@itemx set height unlimited
22227@itemx show height
22228@itemx set width @var{cpl}
22229@itemx set width unlimited
22230@itemx show width
22231These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
22232a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
22233commands display the current settings.
22234
22235If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
22236@value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
22237output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
22238buffer.
22239
22240Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
22241width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
22242
22243@item set pagination on
22244@itemx set pagination off
22245@kindex set pagination
22246Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
22247pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
22248running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
22249Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
22250
22251@item show pagination
22252@kindex show pagination
22253Show the current pagination mode.
22254@end table
22255
22256@node Numbers
22257@section Numbers
22258@cindex number representation
22259@cindex entering numbers
22260
22261You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
22262@value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
22263@samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
22264begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
22265@samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
2226610; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
22267format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
22268both input and output with the commands described below.
22269
22270@table @code
22271@kindex set input-radix
22272@item set input-radix @var{base}
22273Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
22274for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22275specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
22276example, any of
22277
22278@smallexample
22279set input-radix 012
22280set input-radix 10.
22281set input-radix 0xa
22282@end smallexample
22283
22284@noindent
22285sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
22286leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
22287@samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
22288interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
22289@samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
22290change the radix.
22291
22292@kindex set output-radix
22293@item set output-radix @var{base}
22294Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
22295for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. The base must itself be
22296specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
22297
22298@kindex show input-radix
22299@item show input-radix
22300Display the current default base for numeric input.
22301
22302@kindex show output-radix
22303@item show output-radix
22304Display the current default base for numeric display.
22305
22306@item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
22307@itemx show radix
22308@kindex set radix
22309@kindex show radix
22310These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
22311of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
22312the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
22313default value of 10.
22314
22315@end table
22316
22317@node ABI
22318@section Configuring the Current ABI
22319
22320@value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
22321application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
22322conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
22323current ABI.
22324
22325@cindex OS ABI
22326@kindex set osabi
22327@kindex show osabi
22328@cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
22329
22330One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
22331system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
22332@value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
22333but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
22334One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
22335an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
22336not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
22337platform provides.
22338
22339When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
22340``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
22341@code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
22342The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
22343
22344@table @code
22345@item show osabi
22346Show the OS ABI currently in use.
22347
22348@item set osabi
22349With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
22350
22351@item set osabi @var{abi}
22352Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
22353@end table
22354
22355@cindex float promotion
22356
22357Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
22358function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
22359(i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
22360according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
22361(i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
22362@code{double} and then passed.
22363
22364Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
22365a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
22366as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
22367
22368@table @code
22369@kindex set coerce-float-to-double
22370@item set coerce-float-to-double
22371@itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
22372Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
22373to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
22374
22375@item set coerce-float-to-double off
22376Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
22377functions.
22378
22379@kindex show coerce-float-to-double
22380@item show coerce-float-to-double
22381Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
22382@end table
22383
22384@kindex set cp-abi
22385@kindex show cp-abi
22386@value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
22387objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
22388used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
22389programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
22390multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
22391program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
22392Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
22393before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
22394``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
22395use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
22396``auto''.
22397
22398@table @code
22399@item show cp-abi
22400Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
22401
22402@item set cp-abi
22403With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
22404
22405@item set cp-abi @var{abi}
22406@itemx set cp-abi auto
22407Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
22408@end table
22409
22410@node Auto-loading
22411@section Automatically loading associated files
22412@cindex auto-loading
22413
22414@value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
22415without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
22416@dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
22417@value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
22418results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
22419sources).
22420
22421@menu
22422* Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22423* libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
22424
22425* Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
22426* Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
22427@end menu
22428
22429There are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load.
22430In addition to these files, @value{GDBN} supports auto-loading code written
22431in various extension languages. @xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
22432
22433Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
22434file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
22435(@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22436
22437For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
22438control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
22439
22440@table @code
22441@anchor{set auto-load off}
22442@kindex set auto-load off
22443@item set auto-load off
22444Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
22445You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
22446(@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
22447@smallexample
22448$ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
22449@end smallexample
22450
22451Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
22452and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
22453still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
22454To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
22455@option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
22456@code{set auto-load no}.
22457
22458@anchor{show auto-load}
22459@kindex show auto-load
22460@item show auto-load
22461Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
22462or disabled.
22463
22464@smallexample
22465(gdb) show auto-load
22466gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
22467libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
22468local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
22469 is on.
22470python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
22471safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22472 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22473scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
22474 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
22475@end smallexample
22476
22477@anchor{info auto-load}
22478@kindex info auto-load
22479@item info auto-load
22480Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
22481not.
22482
22483@smallexample
22484(gdb) info auto-load
22485gdb-scripts:
22486Loaded Script
22487Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
22488libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
22489local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
22490 loaded.
22491python-scripts:
22492Loaded Script
22493Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
22494@end smallexample
22495@end table
22496
22497These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
22498
22499@multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
22500@item @xref{set auto-load off}.
22501@tab Disable auto-loading globally.
22502@item @xref{show auto-load}.
22503@tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
22504@item @xref{info auto-load}.
22505@tab Show state of all kinds of files.
22506@item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22507@tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22508@item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22509@tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22510@item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
22511@tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
22512@item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
22513@tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22514@item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
22515@tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22516@item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
22517@tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
22518@item @xref{set auto-load guile-scripts}.
22519@tab Control for @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22520@item @xref{show auto-load guile-scripts}.
22521@tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22522@item @xref{info auto-load guile-scripts}.
22523@tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Guile scripts.
22524@item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22525@tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22526@item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
22527@tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
22528@item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22529@tab Control for init file in the current directory.
22530@item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22531@tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
22532@item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
22533@tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
22534@item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
22535@tab Control for thread debugging library.
22536@item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
22537@tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
22538@item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
22539@tab Show state of thread debugging library.
22540@item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
22541@tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
22542@item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
22543@tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
22544@item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
22545@tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
22546@end multitable
22547
22548@node Init File in the Current Directory
22549@subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
22550@cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
22551
22552By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
22553from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
22554see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
22555
22556Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
22557configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22558
22559@table @code
22560@anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
22561@kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
22562@item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
22563Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
22564(@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
22565
22566@anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
22567@kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
22568@item show auto-load local-gdbinit
22569Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22570current directory is enabled or disabled.
22571
22572@anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
22573@kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
22574@item info auto-load local-gdbinit
22575Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
22576current directory have been auto-loaded.
22577@end table
22578
22579@node libthread_db.so.1 file
22580@subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
22581@cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
22582
22583This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
22584
22585@value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
22586to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
22587
22588The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
22589without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
22590libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
22591@samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
22592auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
22593library.
22594
22595Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
22596@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22597
22598@table @code
22599@anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
22600@kindex set auto-load libthread-db
22601@item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
22602Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
22603
22604@anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
22605@kindex show auto-load libthread-db
22606@item show auto-load libthread-db
22607Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
22608enabled or disabled.
22609
22610@anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
22611@kindex info auto-load libthread-db
22612@item info auto-load libthread-db
22613Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
22614for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
22615@end table
22616
22617@node Auto-loading safe path
22618@subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
22619@cindex auto-loading safe-path
22620
22621As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
22622an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
22623@value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
22624directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
22625Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
22626
22627If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
22628get loaded:
22629
22630@smallexample
22631$ ./gdb -q ./gdb
22632Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
22633warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
22634 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22635 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22636warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
22637 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22638 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22639@end smallexample
22640
22641@noindent
22642To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
22643invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
22644
22645@smallexample
22646$ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
22647@end smallexample
22648
22649The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
22650
22651@table @code
22652@anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
22653@kindex set auto-load safe-path
22654@item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
22655Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
22656loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
22657Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
22658directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
22659(@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
22660If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
22661its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
22662
22663The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
22664systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
22665to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
22666
22667@anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
22668@kindex show auto-load safe-path
22669@item show auto-load safe-path
22670Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
22671scripts.
22672
22673@anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
22674@kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
22675@item add-auto-load-safe-path
22676Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
22677loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
22678host platform path separator in use.
22679@end table
22680
22681This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
22682to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
22683substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22684The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
22685@value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
22686
22687Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
22688corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
22689@option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
22690This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
22691system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
22692their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
22693init file in the current directory
22694(@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
22695
22696To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
22697example, you could use one of the following ways:
22698
22699@table @asis
22700@item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
22701Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
22702You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
22703by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
22704
22705@item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
22706Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
22707@value{GDBN} session.
22708
22709@item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
22710Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22711This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
22712from trusted sources.
22713
22714@item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
22715During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
22716This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
22717trusted sources.
22718@end table
22719
22720On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
22721also suppresses any such warning messages:
22722
22723@table @asis
22724@item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
22725You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22726
22727@item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
22728Disable auto-loading globally for the user
22729(@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
22730use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
22731@end table
22732
22733This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
22734@value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
22735their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
22736entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
22737own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
22738recommended to be entered.
22739
22740@node Auto-loading verbose mode
22741@subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
22742@cindex auto-loading verbose mode
22743
22744For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
22745be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
22746execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
22747all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
22748be printed.
22749
22750For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22751(@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
22752may not be too obvious while setting it up.
22753
22754@smallexample
22755(gdb) set debug auto-load on
22756(gdb) file ~/src/t/true
22757auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
22758 for objfile "/tmp/true".
22759auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
22760auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
22761auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
22762warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
22763 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
22764@end smallexample
22765
22766@table @code
22767@anchor{set debug auto-load}
22768@kindex set debug auto-load
22769@item set debug auto-load [on|off]
22770Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
22771
22772@anchor{show debug auto-load}
22773@kindex show debug auto-load
22774@item show debug auto-load
22775Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
22776on or off.
22777@end table
22778
22779@node Messages/Warnings
22780@section Optional Warnings and Messages
22781
22782@cindex verbose operation
22783@cindex optional warnings
22784By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
22785running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
22786command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
22787internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
22788
22789Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
22790which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
22791see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22792
22793@table @code
22794@kindex set verbose
22795@item set verbose on
22796Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22797
22798@item set verbose off
22799Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22800
22801@kindex show verbose
22802@item show verbose
22803Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22804@end table
22805
22806By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22807object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22808find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22809Symbol Files}).
22810
22811@table @code
22812
22813@kindex set complaints
22814@item set complaints @var{limit}
22815Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22816unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22817@var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22818to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22819
22820@kindex show complaints
22821@item show complaints
22822Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22823
22824@end table
22825
22826@anchor{confirmation requests}
22827By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22828lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22829you try to run a program which is already running:
22830
22831@smallexample
22832(@value{GDBP}) run
22833The program being debugged has been started already.
22834Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22835@end smallexample
22836
22837If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22838commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22839
22840@table @code
22841
22842@kindex set confirm
22843@cindex flinching
22844@cindex confirmation
22845@cindex stupid questions
22846@item set confirm off
22847Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22848the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22849automatically disables confirmation requests.
22850
22851@item set confirm on
22852Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22853
22854@kindex show confirm
22855@item show confirm
22856Displays state of confirmation requests.
22857
22858@end table
22859
22860@cindex command tracing
22861If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22862useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22863printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22864quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22865
22866@table @code
22867@kindex set trace-commands
22868@cindex command scripts, debugging
22869@item set trace-commands on
22870Enable command tracing.
22871@item set trace-commands off
22872Disable command tracing.
22873@item show trace-commands
22874Display the current state of command tracing.
22875@end table
22876
22877@node Debugging Output
22878@section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22879@cindex optional debugging messages
22880
22881@value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22882various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22883interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22884section documents those commands.
22885
22886@table @code
22887@kindex set exec-done-display
22888@item set exec-done-display
22889Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22890completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22891asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22892@kindex show exec-done-display
22893@item show exec-done-display
22894Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22895notification.
22896@kindex set debug
22897@cindex ARM AArch64
22898@item set debug aarch64
22899Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22900The default is off.
22901@kindex show debug
22902@item show debug aarch64
22903Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22904ARM AArch64.
22905@cindex gdbarch debugging info
22906@cindex architecture debugging info
22907@item set debug arch
22908Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22909@item show debug arch
22910Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22911@item set debug aix-solib
22912@cindex AIX shared library debugging
22913Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
22914support module. The default is off.
22915@item show debug aix-thread
22916Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
22917@item set debug aix-thread
22918@cindex AIX threads
22919Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22920module.
22921@item show debug aix-thread
22922Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22923@item set debug check-physname
22924@cindex physname
22925Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22926debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22927each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22928different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22929When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22930both ways and display any discrepancies.
22931@item show debug check-physname
22932Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22933@item set debug coff-pe-read
22934@cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22935Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22936exported symbols. The default is off.
22937@item show debug coff-pe-read
22938Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22939reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22940@item set debug dwarf2-die
22941@cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22942Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22943The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22944A value of zero turns off the display.
22945@item show debug dwarf2-die
22946Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22947@item set debug dwarf2-read
22948@cindex DWARF2 Reading
22949Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22950DWARF debug info. The default is 0 (off).
22951A value of 1 provides basic information.
22952A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
22953@item show debug dwarf2-read
22954Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22955@item set debug displaced
22956@cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22957Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22958displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22959@item show debug displaced
22960Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22961related to displaced stepping.
22962@item set debug event
22963@cindex event debugging info
22964Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22965default is off.
22966@item show debug event
22967Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22968info.
22969@item set debug expression
22970@cindex expression debugging info
22971Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22972expression parsing. The default is off.
22973@item show debug expression
22974Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22975@value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22976@item set debug frame
22977@cindex frame debugging info
22978Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22979default is off.
22980@item show debug frame
22981Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22982info.
22983@item set debug gnu-nat
22984@cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22985Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22986@item show debug gnu-nat
22987Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22988@item set debug infrun
22989@cindex inferior debugging info
22990Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22991The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22992for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22993@item show debug infrun
22994Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22995@item set debug jit
22996@cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22997Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22998@item show debug jit
22999Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
23000@item set debug lin-lwp
23001@cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
23002@cindex Linux lightweight processes
23003Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
23004@item show debug lin-lwp
23005Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
23006@item set debug mach-o
23007@cindex Mach-O symbols processing
23008Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
23009processing. The default is off.
23010@item show debug mach-o
23011Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
23012reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
23013@item set debug notification
23014@cindex remote async notification debugging info
23015Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
23016The default is off.
23017@item show debug notification
23018Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
23019@item set debug observer
23020@cindex observer debugging info
23021Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
23022includes info such as the notification of observable events.
23023@item show debug observer
23024Displays the current state of observer debugging.
23025@item set debug overload
23026@cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
23027Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
23028info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
23029is off.
23030@item show debug overload
23031Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
23032debugging info.
23033@cindex expression parser, debugging info
23034@cindex debug expression parser
23035@item set debug parser
23036Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
23037Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
23038parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
23039details. The default is off.
23040@item show debug parser
23041Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
23042@cindex packets, reporting on stdout
23043@cindex serial connections, debugging
23044@cindex debug remote protocol
23045@cindex remote protocol debugging
23046@cindex display remote packets
23047@item set debug remote
23048Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
23049the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
23050@value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
23051@item show debug remote
23052Displays the state of display of remote packets.
23053@item set debug serial
23054Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
23055default is off.
23056@item show debug serial
23057Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
23058info.
23059@item set debug solib-frv
23060@cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
23061Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
23062@item show debug solib-frv
23063Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
23064messages.
23065@item set debug symfile
23066@cindex symbol file functions
23067Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol file functions.
23068The default is off. @xref{Files}.
23069@item show debug symfile
23070Show the current state of symbol file debugging messages.
23071@item set debug symtab-create
23072@cindex symbol table creation
23073Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
23074The default is 0 (off).
23075A value of 1 provides basic information.
23076A value greater than 1 provides more verbose information.
23077@item show debug symtab-create
23078Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
23079@item set debug target
23080@cindex target debugging info
23081Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
23082includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
23083default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
23084value of large memory transfers.
23085@item show debug target
23086Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
23087info.
23088@item set debug timestamp
23089@cindex timestampping debugging info
23090Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
23091When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
23092message.
23093@item show debug timestamp
23094Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
23095debugging info.
23096@item set debug varobj
23097@cindex variable object debugging info
23098Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
23099info. The default is off.
23100@item show debug varobj
23101Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
23102debugging info.
23103@item set debug xml
23104@cindex XML parser debugging
23105Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
23106@item show debug xml
23107Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
23108@end table
23109
23110@node Other Misc Settings
23111@section Other Miscellaneous Settings
23112@cindex miscellaneous settings
23113
23114@table @code
23115@kindex set interactive-mode
23116@item set interactive-mode
23117If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
23118in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
23119for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
23120the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
23121in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
23122If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
23123its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
23124is, non-interactively otherwise.
23125
23126In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
23127correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
23128in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
23129inside a cygwin window.
23130
23131@kindex show interactive-mode
23132@item show interactive-mode
23133Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
23134@end table
23135
23136@node Extending GDB
23137@chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
23138@cindex extending GDB
23139
23140@value{GDBN} provides several mechanisms for extension.
23141@value{GDBN} also provides the ability to automatically load
23142extensions when it reads a file for debugging. This allows the
23143user to automatically customize @value{GDBN} for the program
23144being debugged.
23145
23146@menu
23147* Sequences:: Canned Sequences of @value{GDBN} Commands
23148* Python:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Python
23149* Guile:: Extending @value{GDBN} using Guile
23150* Auto-loading extensions:: Automatically loading extensions
23151* Multiple Extension Languages:: Working with multiple extension languages
23152* Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
23153@end menu
23154
23155To facilitate the use of extension languages, @value{GDBN} is capable
23156of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
23157can recognize which extension language is being used by looking at
23158the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
23159are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23160@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
23161
23162You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
23163setting:
23164
23165@table @code
23166@kindex set script-extension
23167@kindex show script-extension
23168@item set script-extension off
23169All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
23170
23171@item set script-extension soft
23172The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23173extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
23174evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
23175the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
23176
23177@item set script-extension strict
23178The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
23179extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
23180language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
23181
23182@item show script-extension
23183Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
23184
23185@end table
23186
23187@node Sequences
23188@section Canned Sequences of Commands
23189
23190Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
23191Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
23192commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
23193files.
23194
23195@menu
23196* Define:: How to define your own commands
23197* Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
23198* Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
23199* Output:: Commands for controlled output
23200* Auto-loading sequences:: Controlling auto-loaded command files
23201@end menu
23202
23203@node Define
23204@subsection User-defined Commands
23205
23206@cindex user-defined command
23207@cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
23208A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
23209which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
23210@code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
23211separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
23212via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
23213
23214@smallexample
23215define adder
23216 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23217end
23218@end smallexample
23219
23220@noindent
23221To execute the command use:
23222
23223@smallexample
23224adder 1 2 3
23225@end smallexample
23226
23227@noindent
23228This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
23229its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
23230reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
23231functions calls.
23232
23233@cindex argument count in user-defined commands
23234@cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
23235In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
23236been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
23237
23238@smallexample
23239define adder
23240 if $argc == 2
23241 print $arg0 + $arg1
23242 end
23243 if $argc == 3
23244 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
23245 end
23246end
23247@end smallexample
23248
23249@table @code
23250
23251@kindex define
23252@item define @var{commandname}
23253Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
23254by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
23255The argument @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
23256numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
23257prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
23258a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
23259
23260The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
23261which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
23262commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23263
23264@kindex document
23265@kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
23266@item document @var{commandname}
23267Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
23268accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
23269defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
23270reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
23271After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
23272@var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
23273
23274You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
23275documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
23276does not change the documentation.
23277
23278@kindex dont-repeat
23279@cindex don't repeat command
23280@item dont-repeat
23281Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
23282command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
23283(@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
23284
23285@kindex help user-defined
23286@item help user-defined
23287List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
23288COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
23289included (if any).
23290
23291@kindex show user
23292@item show user
23293@itemx show user @var{commandname}
23294Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
23295not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
23296definitions for all user-defined commands.
23297This does not work for user-defined python commands.
23298
23299@cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
23300@kindex show max-user-call-depth
23301@kindex set max-user-call-depth
23302@item show max-user-call-depth
23303@itemx set max-user-call-depth
23304The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
23305levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
23306infinite recursion and aborts the command.
23307This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
23308@end table
23309
23310In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
23311use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
23312
23313When user-defined commands are executed, the
23314commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
23315stops execution of the user-defined command.
23316
23317If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
23318without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
23319commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
23320messages when used in a user-defined command.
23321
23322@node Hooks
23323@subsection User-defined Command Hooks
23324@cindex command hooks
23325@cindex hooks, for commands
23326@cindex hooks, pre-command
23327
23328@kindex hook
23329You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
23330command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
23331command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
23332before that command.
23333
23334@cindex hooks, post-command
23335@kindex hookpost
23336A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
23337Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
23338@samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
23339that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
23340pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
23341
23342It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
23343occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
23344
23345@c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
23346@c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
23347
23348@kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
23349In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
23350(@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
23351execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
23352displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
23353
23354For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
23355single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
23356you could define:
23357
23358@smallexample
23359define hook-stop
23360handle SIGALRM nopass
23361end
23362
23363define hook-run
23364handle SIGALRM pass
23365end
23366
23367define hook-continue
23368handle SIGALRM pass
23369end
23370@end smallexample
23371
23372As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
23373command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
23374you could define:
23375
23376@smallexample
23377define hook-echo
23378echo <<<---
23379end
23380
23381define hookpost-echo
23382echo --->>>\n
23383end
23384
23385(@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
23386<<<---Hello World--->>>
23387(@value{GDBP})
23388
23389@end smallexample
23390
23391You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
23392not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
23393name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
23394@c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
23395@c or not?
23396You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
23397@code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
23398@samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
23399
23400If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
23401@value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
23402(before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
23403
23404If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
23405get a warning from the @code{define} command.
23406
23407@node Command Files
23408@subsection Command Files
23409
23410@cindex command files
23411@cindex scripting commands
23412A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
23413@value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
23414also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
23415does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
23416terminal.
23417
23418You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
23419command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
23420scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
23421using the @code{script-extension} setting.
23422@xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
23423
23424@table @code
23425@kindex source
23426@cindex execute commands from a file
23427@item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
23428Execute the command file @var{filename}.
23429@end table
23430
23431The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
23432unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
23433@emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
23434printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
23435execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
23436
23437@value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
23438If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
23439directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
23440(specified with the @samp{directory} command);
23441except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
23442is not relevant to scripts.
23443
23444If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
23445on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
23446The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
23447search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
23448and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23449look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
23450The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
23451For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
23452the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
23453look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
23454For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
23455it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
23456@file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
23457will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
23458
23459If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
23460each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
23461@var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
23462
23463Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
23464without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
23465normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
23466when called from command files.
23467
23468@value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
23469mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
23470standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
23471not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
23472the next command.
23473
23474@smallexample
23475gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
23476@end smallexample
23477
23478(The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
23479will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
23480would be directed to @file{log}.
23481
23482Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
23483commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
23484complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
23485variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
23486built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
23487deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
23488complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
23489conditionally, etc.
23490
23491@table @code
23492@kindex if
23493@kindex else
23494@item if
23495@itemx else
23496This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
23497commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
23498expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
23499are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
23500There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
23501of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
23502end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
23503
23504@kindex while
23505@item while
23506This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
23507@code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
23508to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
23509line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
23510@dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
23511executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
23512
23513@kindex loop_break
23514@item loop_break
23515This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
23516Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
23517line.
23518
23519@kindex loop_continue
23520@item loop_continue
23521This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
23522in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
23523branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
23524the controlling expression.
23525
23526@kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
23527@item end
23528Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
23529@code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
23530@end table
23531
23532
23533@node Output
23534@subsection Commands for Controlled Output
23535
23536During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
23537@value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
23538explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
23539describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
23540want.
23541
23542@table @code
23543@kindex echo
23544@item echo @var{text}
23545@c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
23546@c because it is not in ANSI.
23547Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
23548@var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
23549newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
23550In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
23551by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
23552string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
23553trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
23554To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
23555@samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
23556
23557A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
23558the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
23559
23560@smallexample
23561echo This is some text\n\
23562which is continued\n\
23563onto several lines.\n
23564@end smallexample
23565
23566produces the same output as
23567
23568@smallexample
23569echo This is some text\n
23570echo which is continued\n
23571echo onto several lines.\n
23572@end smallexample
23573
23574@kindex output
23575@item output @var{expression}
23576Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
23577newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
23578value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
23579on expressions.
23580
23581@item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
23582Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
23583the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
23584Formats}, for more information.
23585
23586@kindex printf
23587@item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23588Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23589the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
23590@var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
23591which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
23592specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
23593executing the code below:
23594
23595@smallexample
23596printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
23597@end smallexample
23598
23599As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
23600are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
23601by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
23602evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
23603style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
23604printed.
23605
23606For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
23607
23608@smallexample
23609printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
23610@end smallexample
23611
23612@code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
23613specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
23614character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
23615
23616@itemize @bullet
23617@item
23618The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
23619
23620@item
23621The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
23622width.
23623
23624@item
23625The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
23626@code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
23627
23628@item
23629The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
23630supported.
23631
23632@item
23633The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
23634
23635@item
23636The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
23637@end itemize
23638
23639@noindent
23640Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
23641underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
23642the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
23643supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
23644
23645As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
23646sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
23647@samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
23648single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
23649supported.
23650
23651Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
23652(@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
23653together with a floating point specifier.
23654letters:
23655
23656@itemize @bullet
23657@item
23658@samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
23659
23660@item
23661@samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
23662
23663@item
23664@samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
23665@end itemize
23666
23667If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
23668support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
23669such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
23670
23671In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
23672available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
23673
23674Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
23675@smallexample
23676printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
23677@end smallexample
23678
23679@kindex eval
23680@item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23681Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23682the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
23683
23684@end table
23685
23686@node Auto-loading sequences
23687@subsection Controlling auto-loading native @value{GDBN} scripts
23688@cindex native script auto-loading
23689
23690When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23691command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23692@value{GDBN} will look for the command file @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}.
23693@xref{Auto-loading extensions}.
23694
23695Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
23696and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
23697
23698@table @code
23699@anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
23700@kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
23701@item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
23702Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
23703
23704@anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
23705@kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
23706@item show auto-load gdb-scripts
23707Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
23708disabled.
23709
23710@anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
23711@kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
23712@cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
23713@item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
23714Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
23715auto-loaded.
23716@end table
23717
23718If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
23719matching names are printed.
23720
23721@c Python docs live in a separate file.
23722@include python.texi
23723
23724@c Guile docs live in a separate file.
23725@include guile.texi
23726
23727@node Auto-loading extensions
23728@section Auto-loading extensions
23729@cindex auto-loading extensions
23730
23731@value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for automatically loading extensions
23732when a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23733command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library):
23734@file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} and the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}
23735section of modern file formats like ELF.
23736
23737@menu
23738* objfile-gdb.ext file: objfile-gdbdotext file. The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
23739* .debug_gdb_scripts section: dotdebug_gdb_scripts section. The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23740* Which flavor to choose?::
23741@end menu
23742
23743The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23744debugging commands and features.
23745
23746Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
23747and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
23748See the @samp{auto-loading} section of each extension language
23749for more information.
23750For @value{GDBN} command files see @ref{Auto-loading sequences}.
23751For Python files see @ref{Python Auto-loading}.
23752
23753Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
23754@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
23755
23756@node objfile-gdbdotext file
23757@subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} file
23758@cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
23759@cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23760@cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
23761
23762When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for a file named
23763@file{@var{objfile}-gdb.@var{ext}} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
23764where @var{objfile} is the object file's name and
23765where @var{ext} is the file extension for the extension language:
23766
23767@table @code
23768@item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
23769GDB's own command language
23770@item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23771Python
23772@item @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.scm}
23773Guile
23774@end table
23775
23776@var{script-name} is formed by ensuring that the file name of @var{objfile}
23777is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving @code{.} and @code{..}
23778components, and appending the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} suffix.
23779If this file exists and is readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a
23780script in the specified extension language.
23781
23782If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23783@var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
23784
23785Note that loading of these files requires an accordingly configured
23786@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
23787
23788For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
23789scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
23790found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
23791its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
23792is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
23793between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
23794
23795@table @code
23796@anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
23797@kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
23798@item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
23799Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
23800may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
23801(@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
23802
23803Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
23804@code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
23805
23806@anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
23807This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
23808@code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
23809configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
23810
23811Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
23812@var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
23813reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
23814determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
23815@file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
23816delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
23817platform.
23818
23819The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
23820systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
23821to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
23822
23823@anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
23824@kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
23825@item show auto-load scripts-directory
23826Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
23827@end table
23828
23829@value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23830@value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23831@var{objfile} is opened.
23832So your @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23833is evaluated more than once.
23834
23835@node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
23836@subsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23837@cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23838
23839For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23840when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23841it will look for a special section named @code{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23842If this section exists, its contents is a list of NUL-terminated names
23843of scripts to load. Each entry begins with a non-NULL prefix byte that
23844specifies the kind of entry, typically the extension language.
23845
23846@value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23847current directory and then along the source search path
23848(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23849except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23850directory is not relevant to scripts.
23851
23852Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23853for example, this GCC macro for Python scripts.
23854
23855@example
23856/* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23857#define DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23858 asm("\
23859.pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23860.byte 1 /* Python */\n\
23861.asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23862.popsection \n\
23863");
23864@end example
23865
23866@noindent
23867For Guile scripts, replace @code{.byte 1} with @code{.byte 3}.
23868Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23869
23870@example
23871DEFINE_GDB_PY_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23872@end example
23873
23874The script name may include directories if desired.
23875
23876Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
23877@code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
23878
23879If the macro invocation is put in a header, any application or library
23880using this header will get a reference to the specified script,
23881and with the use of @code{"MS"} attributes on the section, the linker
23882will remove duplicates.
23883
23884@node Which flavor to choose?
23885@subsection Which flavor to choose?
23886
23887Given the multiple ways of auto-loading extensions, it might not always
23888be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23889
23890@noindent
23891Benefits of the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way:
23892
23893@itemize @bullet
23894@item
23895Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23896
23897@item
23898Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23899
23900Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23901in the source search path.
23902For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23903isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23904
23905@item
23906Doesn't require source code additions.
23907@end itemize
23908
23909@noindent
23910Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23911
23912@itemize @bullet
23913@item
23914Works with static linking.
23915
23916Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} way require an objfile to
23917trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23918objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23919scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's
23920@file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script.
23921
23922@item
23923Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23924
23925Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23926shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.@var{ext}} script to.
23927
23928@item
23929Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23930
23931In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23932libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23933@file{-gdb.@var{ext}} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23934cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23935@code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23936top of the source tree to the source search path.
23937@end itemize
23938
23939@node Multiple Extension Languages
23940@section Multiple Extension Languages
23941
23942The Guile and Python extension languages do not share any state,
23943and generally do not interfere with each other.
23944There are some things to be aware of, however.
23945
23946@subsection Python comes first
23947
23948Python was @value{GDBN}'s first extension language, and to avoid breaking
23949existing behaviour Python comes first. This is generally solved by the
23950``first one wins'' principle. @value{GDBN} maintains a list of enabled
23951extension languages, and when it makes a call to an extension language,
23952(say to pretty-print a value), it tries each in turn until an extension
23953language indicates it has performed the request (e.g., has returned the
23954pretty-printed form of a value).
23955This extends to errors while performing such requests: If an error happens
23956while, for example, trying to pretty-print an object then the error is
23957reported and any following extension languages are not tried.
23958
23959@node Aliases
23960@section Creating new spellings of existing commands
23961@cindex aliases for commands
23962
23963It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
23964For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
23965a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
23966that involves less typing.
23967
23968@value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
23969of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
23970abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
23971
23972Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
23973of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
23974@samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
23975
23976You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
23977
23978@table @code
23979
23980@kindex alias
23981@item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
23982
23983@end table
23984
23985@var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
23986Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
23987underscores.
23988
23989@var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
23990that is being aliased.
23991
23992The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
23993of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
23994lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
23995
23996The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
23997and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
23998
23999Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
24000of a command so that there is less to type.
24001Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
24002shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
24003and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
24004The following will accomplish this.
24005
24006@smallexample
24007(gdb) alias -a di = disas
24008@end smallexample
24009
24010Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
24011With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
24012for it with the @samp{document} command.
24013An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
24014
24015Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
24016@samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
24017This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
24018of a command.
24019
24020@smallexample
24021(gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
24022(gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
24023(gdb) set p elms 20
24024(gdb) show p elms
24025Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
24026@end smallexample
24027
24028Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
24029and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
24030command, then you need to define the latter separately.
24031
24032Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
24033@var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
24034
24035@smallexample
24036(gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
24037@end smallexample
24038
24039Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
24040alias for a more complex command.
24041This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
24042
24043@smallexample
24044(gdb) alias spe = set print elements
24045(gdb) spe 20
24046@end smallexample
24047
24048@node Interpreters
24049@chapter Command Interpreters
24050@cindex command interpreters
24051
24052@value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
24053infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
24054between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
24055
24056@value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
24057interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
24058and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
24059describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
24060
24061By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
24062However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
24063interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
24064startup options. Defined interpreters include:
24065
24066@table @code
24067@item console
24068@cindex console interpreter
24069The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
24070used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
24071@value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
24072
24073@item mi
24074@cindex mi interpreter
24075The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
24076by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
24077or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
24078Interface}.
24079
24080@item mi2
24081@cindex mi2 interpreter
24082The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
24083
24084@item mi1
24085@cindex mi1 interpreter
24086The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
24087
24088@end table
24089
24090@cindex invoke another interpreter
24091The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
24092switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
24093precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
24094enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
24095@value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
24096the IDE inoperable!
24097
24098@kindex interpreter-exec
24099Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
24100commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
24101command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
24102@code{interpreter-exec} command:
24103
24104@smallexample
24105interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
24106@end smallexample
24107
24108@sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
24109@value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
24110
24111@node TUI
24112@chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
24113@cindex TUI
24114@cindex Text User Interface
24115
24116@menu
24117* TUI Overview:: TUI overview
24118* TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
24119* TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
24120* TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
24121* TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
24122@end menu
24123
24124The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
24125interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
24126file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
24127commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
24128on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
24129is available.
24130
24131The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
24132@samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
24133You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
24134using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
24135@xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
24136
24137@node TUI Overview
24138@section TUI Overview
24139
24140In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
24141
24142@table @emph
24143@item command
24144This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
24145prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
24146managed using readline.
24147
24148@item source
24149The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
24150line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
24151
24152@item assembly
24153The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
24154
24155@item register
24156This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
24157when their values change.
24158@end table
24159
24160The source and assembly windows show the current program position
24161by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
24162Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
24163indicates the breakpoint type:
24164
24165@table @code
24166@item B
24167Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24168
24169@item b
24170Breakpoint which was never hit.
24171
24172@item H
24173Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24174
24175@item h
24176Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
24177@end table
24178
24179The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
24180
24181@table @code
24182@item +
24183Breakpoint is enabled.
24184
24185@item -
24186Breakpoint is disabled.
24187@end table
24188
24189The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24190thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24191changes.
24192
24193These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24194window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24195layouts:
24196
24197@itemize @bullet
24198@item
24199source only,
24200
24201@item
24202assembly only,
24203
24204@item
24205source and assembly,
24206
24207@item
24208source and registers, or
24209
24210@item
24211assembly and registers.
24212@end itemize
24213
24214A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24215
24216@table @emph
24217@item target
24218Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24219(@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24220
24221@item process
24222Gives the current process or thread number.
24223When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24224
24225@item function
24226Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24227The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24228When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24229the string @code{??} is displayed.
24230
24231@item line
24232Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24233When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24234
24235@item pc
24236Indicates the current program counter address.
24237@end table
24238
24239@node TUI Keys
24240@section TUI Key Bindings
24241@cindex TUI key bindings
24242
24243The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24244@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24245(@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24246@end ifset
24247@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24248(@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24249@end ifclear
24250The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24251@value{GDBN} standard mode.
24252
24253@table @kbd
24254@kindex C-x C-a
24255@item C-x C-a
24256@kindex C-x a
24257@itemx C-x a
24258@kindex C-x A
24259@itemx C-x A
24260Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24261the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24262its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24263the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24264The screen is then refreshed.
24265
24266@kindex C-x 1
24267@item C-x 1
24268Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24269either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24270is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24271
24272Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24273
24274@kindex C-x 2
24275@item C-x 2
24276Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24277layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24278When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24279previous layout and the new one.
24280
24281Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24282
24283@kindex C-x o
24284@item C-x o
24285Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24286(like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24287gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24288
24289Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24290
24291@kindex C-x s
24292@item C-x s
24293Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24294keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24295@end table
24296
24297The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24298
24299@table @asis
24300@kindex PgUp
24301@item @key{PgUp}
24302Scroll the active window one page up.
24303
24304@kindex PgDn
24305@item @key{PgDn}
24306Scroll the active window one page down.
24307
24308@kindex Up
24309@item @key{Up}
24310Scroll the active window one line up.
24311
24312@kindex Down
24313@item @key{Down}
24314Scroll the active window one line down.
24315
24316@kindex Left
24317@item @key{Left}
24318Scroll the active window one column left.
24319
24320@kindex Right
24321@item @key{Right}
24322Scroll the active window one column right.
24323
24324@kindex C-L
24325@item @kbd{C-L}
24326Refresh the screen.
24327@end table
24328
24329Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24330are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24331window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24332other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24333and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24334
24335@node TUI Single Key Mode
24336@section TUI Single Key Mode
24337@cindex TUI single key mode
24338
24339The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24340frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24341switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24342
24343@table @kbd
24344@kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24345@item c
24346continue
24347
24348@kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24349@item d
24350down
24351
24352@kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24353@item f
24354finish
24355
24356@kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24357@item n
24358next
24359
24360@kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24361@item q
24362exit the SingleKey mode.
24363
24364@kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24365@item r
24366run
24367
24368@kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24369@item s
24370step
24371
24372@kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24373@item u
24374up
24375
24376@kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24377@item v
24378info locals
24379
24380@kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24381@item w
24382where
24383@end table
24384
24385Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24386The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24387it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24388with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24389SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24390this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24391
24392
24393@node TUI Commands
24394@section TUI-specific Commands
24395@cindex TUI commands
24396
24397The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24398These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24399the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24400of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24401
24402Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24403terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24404interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24405these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24406possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24407
24408@table @code
24409@item info win
24410@kindex info win
24411List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24412
24413@item layout next
24414@kindex layout
24415Display the next layout.
24416
24417@item layout prev
24418Display the previous layout.
24419
24420@item layout src
24421Display the source window only.
24422
24423@item layout asm
24424Display the assembly window only.
24425
24426@item layout split
24427Display the source and assembly window.
24428
24429@item layout regs
24430Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24431
24432@item focus next
24433@kindex focus
24434Make the next window active for scrolling.
24435
24436@item focus prev
24437Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24438
24439@item focus src
24440Make the source window active for scrolling.
24441
24442@item focus asm
24443Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24444
24445@item focus regs
24446Make the register window active for scrolling.
24447
24448@item focus cmd
24449Make the command window active for scrolling.
24450
24451@item refresh
24452@kindex refresh
24453Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24454
24455@item tui reg float
24456@kindex tui reg
24457Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24458
24459@item tui reg general
24460Show the general registers in the register window.
24461
24462@item tui reg next
24463Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24464their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24465following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24466@code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24467
24468@item tui reg system
24469Show the system registers in the register window.
24470
24471@item update
24472@kindex update
24473Update the source window and the current execution point.
24474
24475@item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24476@itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24477@kindex winheight
24478Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24479lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24480decrease it.
24481
24482@item tabset @var{nchars}
24483@kindex tabset
24484Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
24485@end table
24486
24487@node TUI Configuration
24488@section TUI Configuration Variables
24489@cindex TUI configuration variables
24490
24491Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24492
24493@table @code
24494@item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24495@kindex set tui border-kind
24496Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24497The possible values are the following:
24498@table @code
24499@item space
24500Use a space character to draw the border.
24501
24502@item ascii
24503Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24504
24505@item acs
24506Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24507drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24508@end table
24509
24510@item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24511@kindex set tui border-mode
24512@itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24513@kindex set tui active-border-mode
24514Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24515or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24516@table @code
24517@item normal
24518Use normal attributes to display the border.
24519
24520@item standout
24521Use standout mode.
24522
24523@item reverse
24524Use reverse video mode.
24525
24526@item half
24527Use half bright mode.
24528
24529@item half-standout
24530Use half bright and standout mode.
24531
24532@item bold
24533Use extra bright or bold mode.
24534
24535@item bold-standout
24536Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24537@end table
24538@end table
24539
24540@node Emacs
24541@chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24542
24543@cindex Emacs
24544@cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24545A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24546edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24547@value{GDBN}.
24548
24549To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24550executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24551@value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24552created Emacs buffer.
24553@c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24554
24555Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24556things:
24557
24558@itemize @bullet
24559@item
24560All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24561the GUD buffer.
24562
24563This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24564and output done by the program you are debugging.
24565
24566This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24567commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24568in this way.
24569
24570All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24571with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24572way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24573stop.
24574
24575@item
24576@value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24577
24578Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24579source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24580left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24581source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24582and the source.
24583
24584Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24585usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24586@end itemize
24587
24588We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24589a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24590that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24591@xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24592
24593If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24594gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24595your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24596sets your current working directory to the directory associated
24597with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24598program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24599some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24600@value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24601buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24602
24603The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24604line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24605that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24606,Commands to Specify Files}.
24607
24608By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24609need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24610keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24611customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24612one you want.
24613
24614In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24615addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24616
24617@table @kbd
24618@item C-h m
24619Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24620
24621@item C-c C-s
24622Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24623update the display window to show the current file and location.
24624
24625@item C-c C-n
24626Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24627calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24628to show the current file and location.
24629
24630@item C-c C-i
24631Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24632display window accordingly.
24633
24634@item C-c C-f
24635Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24636@code{finish} command.
24637
24638@item C-c C-r
24639Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24640command.
24641
24642@item C-c <
24643Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24644(@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24645like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24646
24647@item C-c >
24648Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24649@value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24650@end table
24651
24652In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24653tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24654
24655In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24656separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24657Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24658become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24659source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24660selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24661speedbar displays watch expressions.
24662
24663If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24664it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24665request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24666the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24667frame.
24668
24669The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24670which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24671the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24672communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24673delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24674to correspond properly with the code.
24675
24676A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24677given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24678Emacs Manual}).
24679
24680@node GDB/MI
24681@chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24682
24683@unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24684
24685@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24686@sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24687@value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24688@option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24689is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24690use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24691
24692This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24693in the form of a reference manual.
24694
24695Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24696features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24697(@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24698
24699@unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24700
24701@cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24702This chapter uses the following notation:
24703
24704@itemize @bullet
24705@item
24706@code{|} separates two alternatives.
24707
24708@item
24709@code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24710it may or may not be given.
24711
24712@item
24713@code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24714may repeat zero or more times.
24715
24716@item
24717@code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24718may repeat one or more times.
24719
24720@item
24721@code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24722@end itemize
24723
24724@ignore
24725@heading Dependencies
24726@end ignore
24727
24728@menu
24729* GDB/MI General Design::
24730* GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24731* GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24732* GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24733* GDB/MI Output Records::
24734* GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24735* GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24736* GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24737* GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
24738* GDB/MI Program Context::
24739* GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24740* GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
24741* GDB/MI Program Execution::
24742* GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24743* GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24744* GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24745* GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24746* GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24747* GDB/MI File Commands::
24748@ignore
24749* GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24750* GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24751* GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24752@end ignore
24753* GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24754* GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24755* GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands::
24756* GDB/MI Support Commands::
24757* GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24758@end menu
24759
24760@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24761@node GDB/MI General Design
24762@section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24763@cindex GDB/MI General Design
24764
24765Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24766parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24767and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24768indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24769For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24770requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24771response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24772Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24773target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24774a command and reported as part of that command response.
24775
24776The important examples of notifications are:
24777@itemize @bullet
24778
24779@item
24780Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24781target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24782be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24783commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24784different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24785happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24786command itself was successfully executed.
24787
24788@item
24789Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24790notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24791diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24792report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24793this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24794until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24795
24796@item
24797General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24798the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24799a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24800be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24801orthogonal frontend design.
24802
24803@end itemize
24804
24805There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24806@value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24807the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24808processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24809we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24810the user interface.
24811
24812
24813@menu
24814* Context management::
24815* Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24816* Thread groups::
24817@end menu
24818
24819@node Context management
24820@subsection Context management
24821
24822@subsubsection Threads and Frames
24823
24824In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24825done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24826Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24827be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24828and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24829because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24830explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24831@value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24832to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24833
24834In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24835useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24836itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24837each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24838want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24839increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24840frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24841should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24842make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24843@samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24844for thread and frame to operate on.
24845
24846Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24847a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24848operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24849current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24850it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24851another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24852the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24853one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24854change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24855No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24856
24857Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24858frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24859right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24860simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24861before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24862to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24863if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24864thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24865optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24866sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24867selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24868change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24869problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24870all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24871right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24872@samp{--frame} options.
24873
24874@subsubsection Language
24875
24876The execution of several commands depends on which language is selected.
24877By default, the current language (@pxref{show language}) is used.
24878But for commands known to be language-sensitive, it is recommended
24879to use the @samp{--language} option. This option takes one argument,
24880which is the name of the language to use while executing the command.
24881For instance:
24882
24883@smallexample
24884-data-evaluate-expression --language c "sizeof (void*)"
24885^done,value="4"
24886(gdb)
24887@end smallexample
24888
24889The valid language names are the same names accepted by the
24890@samp{set language} command (@pxref{Manually}), excluding @samp{auto},
24891@samp{local} or @samp{unknown}.
24892
24893@node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24894@subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24895
24896On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24897even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24898command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24899specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24900@code{-gdb-set mi-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24901either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24902frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24903find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24904@code{-list-target-features} command.
24905
24906@table @code
24907@item -gdb-set mi-async on
24908@item -gdb-set mi-async off
24909Set whether MI is in asynchronous mode.
24910
24911When @code{off}, which is the default, MI execution commands (e.g.,
24912@code{-exec-continue}) are foreground commands, and @value{GDBN} waits
24913for the program to stop before processing further commands.
24914
24915When @code{on}, MI execution commands are background execution
24916commands (e.g., @code{-exec-continue} becomes the equivalent of the
24917@code{c&} CLI command), and so @value{GDBN} is capable of processing
24918MI commands even while the target is running.
24919
24920@item -gdb-show mi-async
24921Show whether MI asynchronous mode is enabled.
24922@end table
24923
24924Note: In @value{GDBN} version 7.7 and earlier, this option was called
24925@code{target-async} instead of @code{mi-async}, and it had the effect
24926of both putting MI in asynchronous mode and making CLI background
24927commands possible. CLI background commands are now always possible
24928``out of the box'' if the target supports them. The old spelling is
24929kept as a deprecated alias for backwards compatibility.
24930
24931Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24932many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24933running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24934when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24935it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24936are running.
24937
24938When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24939target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24940some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24941stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24942modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24943that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24944@code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24945context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24946stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24947@samp{--thread} option).
24948
24949Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24950highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24951@code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24952to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24953
24954@node Thread groups
24955@subsection Thread groups
24956@value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24957On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24958hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24959processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24960mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24961
24962The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24963target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24964accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24965thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24966neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24967current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24968that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24969into processes.
24970
24971To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24972hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24973@dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24974thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24975and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24976command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24977thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24978debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24979to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24980the members of specific thread group.
24981
24982To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24983wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24984introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24985@value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24986@code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24987groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24988In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24989after attaching to that thread group.
24990
24991Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24992Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24993type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24994such thread groups.
24995
24996@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24997@node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24998@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24999
25000@menu
25001* GDB/MI Input Syntax::
25002* GDB/MI Output Syntax::
25003@end menu
25004
25005@node GDB/MI Input Syntax
25006@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
25007
25008@cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
25009@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
25010@table @code
25011@item @var{command} @expansion{}
25012@code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
25013
25014@item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
25015@code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
25016@var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
25017
25018@item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
25019@code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
25020@code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
25021
25022@item @var{token} @expansion{}
25023"any sequence of digits"
25024
25025@item @var{option} @expansion{}
25026@code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
25027
25028@item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
25029@code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
25030
25031@item @var{operation} @expansion{}
25032@emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
25033
25034@item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
25035@emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
25036"-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
25037
25038@item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
25039@code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
25040
25041@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25042@code{CR | CR-LF}
25043@end table
25044
25045@noindent
25046Notes:
25047
25048@itemize @bullet
25049@item
25050The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
25051output is described below.
25052
25053@item
25054The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
25055finishes.
25056
25057@item
25058Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
25059list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
25060followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
25061parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
25062@samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
25063@end itemize
25064
25065Pragmatics:
25066
25067@itemize @bullet
25068@item
25069We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
25070
25071@item
25072We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
25073@end itemize
25074
25075@node GDB/MI Output Syntax
25076@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
25077
25078@cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
25079@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
25080The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
25081followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
25082is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
25083terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
25084
25085If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
25086corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
25087@var{token}.
25088
25089@table @code
25090@item @var{output} @expansion{}
25091@code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
25092
25093@item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
25094@code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
25095
25096@item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
25097@code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
25098
25099@item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
25100@code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
25101
25102@item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
25103@code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output nl}}
25104
25105@item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
25106@code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output nl}}
25107
25108@item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
25109@code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output nl}}
25110
25111@item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
25112@code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )*}
25113
25114@item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
25115@code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
25116
25117@item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
25118@code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
25119depending on the needs---this is still in development).
25120
25121@item @var{result} @expansion{}
25122@code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
25123
25124@item @var{variable} @expansion{}
25125@code{ @var{string} }
25126
25127@item @var{value} @expansion{}
25128@code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
25129
25130@item @var{const} @expansion{}
25131@code{@var{c-string}}
25132
25133@item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
25134@code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
25135
25136@item @var{list} @expansion{}
25137@code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
25138@var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
25139
25140@item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
25141@code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
25142
25143@item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
25144@code{"~" @var{c-string nl}}
25145
25146@item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
25147@code{"@@" @var{c-string nl}}
25148
25149@item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
25150@code{"&" @var{c-string nl}}
25151
25152@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25153@code{CR | CR-LF}
25154
25155@item @var{token} @expansion{}
25156@emph{any sequence of digits}.
25157@end table
25158
25159@noindent
25160Notes:
25161
25162@itemize @bullet
25163@item
25164All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
25165
25166@item
25167The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
25168for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
25169may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
25170output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
25171all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
25172target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
25173prior command.
25174
25175@item
25176@cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25177@var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
25178progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
25179prefixed by @samp{+}.
25180
25181@item
25182@cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25183@var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
25184(stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
25185@samp{*}.
25186
25187@item
25188@cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25189@var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
25190client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
25191output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
25192
25193@item
25194@cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25195@var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
25196console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
25197output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
25198
25199@item
25200@cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25201@var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
25202All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
25203
25204@item
25205@cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25206@var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
25207instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
25208the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
25209
25210@item
25211@cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25212New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
25213@var{values}.
25214
25215
25216@end itemize
25217
25218@xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
25219details about the various output records.
25220
25221@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25222@node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25223@section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25224
25225@cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25226@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25227
25228For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25229but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25230that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25231command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25232@code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25233@samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25234
25235This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25236recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25237(@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25238
25239@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25240@node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25241@section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25242@cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25243
25244The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25245program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25246
25247Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25248by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25249to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25250section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25251might change.
25252
25253Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25254for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25255list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25256parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25257
25258@itemize @bullet
25259@item
25260New MI commands may be added.
25261
25262@item
25263New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25264
25265@item
25266The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25267@code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25268
25269@c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25270@c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25271
25272@c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25273@c resolve inconsistencies.
25274@end itemize
25275
25276If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25277will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25278output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25279@value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25280responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25281
25282@c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25283@c version?
25284
25285The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25286end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25287follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25288@email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25289@cindex mailing lists
25290
25291@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25292@node GDB/MI Output Records
25293@section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25294
25295@menu
25296* GDB/MI Result Records::
25297* GDB/MI Stream Records::
25298* GDB/MI Async Records::
25299* GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
25300* GDB/MI Frame Information::
25301* GDB/MI Thread Information::
25302* GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25303@end menu
25304
25305@node GDB/MI Result Records
25306@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25307
25308@cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25309@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25310In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25311@sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25312
25313@table @code
25314@findex ^done
25315@item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25316The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25317values.
25318
25319@item "^running"
25320@findex ^running
25321This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25322was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25323target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25324all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25325identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25326which threads are resumed.
25327
25328@item "^connected"
25329@findex ^connected
25330@value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25331
25332@item "^error" "," "msg=" @var{c-string} [ "," "code=" @var{c-string} ]
25333@findex ^error
25334The operation failed. The @code{msg=@var{c-string}} variable contains
25335the corresponding error message.
25336
25337If present, the @code{code=@var{c-string}} variable provides an error
25338code on which consumers can rely on to detect the corresponding
25339error condition. At present, only one error code is defined:
25340
25341@table @samp
25342@item "undefined-command"
25343Indicates that the command causing the error does not exist.
25344@end table
25345
25346@item "^exit"
25347@findex ^exit
25348@value{GDBN} has terminated.
25349
25350@end table
25351
25352@node GDB/MI Stream Records
25353@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25354
25355@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25356@cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25357@value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25358target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25359funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25360
25361Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25362identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25363Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25364@code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25365line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25366
25367@table @code
25368@item "~" @var{string-output}
25369The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25370CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25371
25372@item "@@" @var{string-output}
25373The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25374target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25375asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25376
25377@item "&" @var{string-output}
25378The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25379internals.
25380@end table
25381
25382@node GDB/MI Async Records
25383@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25384
25385@cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25386@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25387@dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25388additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25389consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25390target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25391
25392The following is the list of possible async records:
25393
25394@table @code
25395
25396@item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25397The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25398specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25399are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25400running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25401The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25402only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25403several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25404all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25405be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25406
25407@item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25408The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25409following values:
25410
25411@table @code
25412@item breakpoint-hit
25413A breakpoint was reached.
25414@item watchpoint-trigger
25415A watchpoint was triggered.
25416@item read-watchpoint-trigger
25417A read watchpoint was triggered.
25418@item access-watchpoint-trigger
25419An access watchpoint was triggered.
25420@item function-finished
25421An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25422@item location-reached
25423An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25424@item watchpoint-scope
25425A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25426@item end-stepping-range
25427An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25428similar CLI command was accomplished.
25429@item exited-signalled
25430The inferior exited because of a signal.
25431@item exited
25432The inferior exited.
25433@item exited-normally
25434The inferior exited normally.
25435@item signal-received
25436A signal was received by the inferior.
25437@item solib-event
25438The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
25439This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
25440set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
25441in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
25442@item fork
25443The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
25444(@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25445@item vfork
25446The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
25447(@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25448@item syscall-entry
25449The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
25450syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25451@item syscall-entry
25452The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
25453@code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25454@item exec
25455The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
25456(@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
25457@end table
25458
25459The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25460-- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25461mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25462stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25463If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25464value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25465field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25466always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25467several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25468processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25469if such information is not available.
25470
25471@item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25472@itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25473A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25474contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25475group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25476process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25477cannot be used in any way.
25478
25479@item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25480A thread group became associated with a running program,
25481either because the program was just started or the thread group
25482was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25483@value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25484contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25485
25486@item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
25487A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25488either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25489from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25490thread group. The @var{code} field is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
25491only when the inferior exited with some code.
25492
25493@item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25494@itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25495A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25496contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25497field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25498
25499@item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25500Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25501command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25502command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25503to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25504invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25505@code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25506
25507We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25508highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25509that thread.
25510
25511@item =library-loaded,...
25512Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25513notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25514@var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25515opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25516@var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25517library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25518debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25519@var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25520and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25521@var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25522group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25523absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25524thread groups.
25525
25526@item =library-unloaded,...
25527Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25528has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25529the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25530The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25531thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25532absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25533thread groups.
25534
25535@item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
25536@itemx =traceframe-changed,end
25537Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
25538@var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
25539frame is @var{tpnum}.
25540
25541@item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
25542Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
25543initial value @var{initial}.
25544
25545@item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
25546@itemx =tsv-deleted
25547Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
25548trace state variables are deleted.
25549
25550@item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
25551Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
25552the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
25553trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
25554value of trace state variable is known.
25555
25556@item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
25557@itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
25558@itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
25559Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
25560respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
25561user.
25562
25563The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
25564breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
25565@var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
25566
25567Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
25568command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
25569
25570@item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
25571@itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
25572Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
25573inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
25574group corresponding to the affected inferior.
25575
25576@item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
25577Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
25578changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
25579the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
25580For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
25581is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
25582
25583@item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
25584Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
25585written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
25586thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
25587@code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
25588executable code.
25589@end table
25590
25591@node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
25592@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
25593
25594When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
25595tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
25596following fields:
25597
25598@table @code
25599@item number
25600The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
25601of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
25602@samp{1.2}.
25603
25604@item type
25605The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
25606@samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
25607
25608@item catch-type
25609If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
25610indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
25611
25612@item disp
25613This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
25614the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
25615meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
25616
25617@item enabled
25618This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
25619value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
25620Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
25621
25622@item addr
25623The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
25624giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
25625breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
25626multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
25627be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
25628
25629@item func
25630If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
25631If not known, this field is not present.
25632
25633@item filename
25634The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
25635If not known, this field is not present.
25636
25637@item fullname
25638The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
25639known. If not known, this field is not present.
25640
25641@item line
25642The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
25643If not known, this field is not present.
25644
25645@item at
25646If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
25647provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
25648by a symbol name.
25649
25650@item pending
25651If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
25652text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
25653
25654@item evaluated-by
25655Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
25656@samp{target}.
25657
25658@item thread
25659If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
25660thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
25661
25662@item task
25663If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
25664field will hold the task identifier.
25665
25666@item cond
25667If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
25668
25669@item ignore
25670The ignore count of the breakpoint.
25671
25672@item enable
25673The enable count of the breakpoint.
25674
25675@item traceframe-usage
25676FIXME.
25677
25678@item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
25679For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
25680
25681@item mask
25682For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
25683
25684@item pass
25685A tracepoint's pass count.
25686
25687@item original-location
25688The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
25689This field is optional.
25690
25691@item times
25692The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
25693
25694@item installed
25695This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
25696meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
25697is not.
25698
25699@item what
25700Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
25701
25702@end table
25703
25704For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
25705(@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
25706
25707@smallexample
25708-> -break-insert main
25709<- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25710 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25711 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
25712 times="0"@}
25713<- (gdb)
25714@end smallexample
25715
25716@node GDB/MI Frame Information
25717@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25718
25719Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25720frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25721fields:
25722
25723@table @code
25724@item level
25725The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25726zero. This field is always present.
25727
25728@item func
25729The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25730be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25731
25732@item addr
25733The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25734
25735@item file
25736The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25737address. This field may be absent.
25738
25739@item line
25740The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25741may be absent.
25742
25743@item from
25744The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
25745corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
25746
25747@end table
25748
25749@node GDB/MI Thread Information
25750@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
25751
25752Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
25753uses a tuple with the following fields:
25754
25755@table @code
25756@item id
25757The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
25758always present.
25759
25760@item target-id
25761Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
25762
25763@item details
25764Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
25765It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
25766frontend. This field is optional.
25767
25768@item state
25769Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
25770thread is presently running. This field is always present.
25771
25772@item core
25773The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
25774thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
25775@end table
25776
25777@node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
25778@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
25779
25780Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
25781stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
25782@value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
25783the @code{exception-name} field.
25784
25785@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25786@node GDB/MI Simple Examples
25787@section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
25788@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
25789
25790This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
25791the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
25792following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
25793the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
25794
25795Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
25796readability, they don't appear in the real output.
25797
25798@subheading Setting a Breakpoint
25799
25800Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
25801information of the breakpoint.
25802
25803@smallexample
25804-> -break-insert main
25805<- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25806 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25807 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
25808 times="0"@}
25809<- (gdb)
25810@end smallexample
25811
25812@subheading Program Execution
25813
25814Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
25815reason that execution stopped.
25816
25817@smallexample
25818-> -exec-run
25819<- ^running
25820<- (gdb)
25821<- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25822 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
25823 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
25824 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
25825<- (gdb)
25826-> -exec-continue
25827<- ^running
25828<- (gdb)
25829<- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25830<- (gdb)
25831@end smallexample
25832
25833@subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
25834
25835Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
25836
25837@smallexample
25838-> (gdb)
25839<- -gdb-exit
25840<- ^exit
25841@end smallexample
25842
25843Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
25844take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
25845performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
25846or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
25847@value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
25848fails to exit in reasonable time.
25849
25850@subheading A Bad Command
25851
25852Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
25853
25854@smallexample
25855-> -rubbish
25856<- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
25857<- (gdb)
25858@end smallexample
25859
25860
25861@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25862@node GDB/MI Command Description Format
25863@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
25864
25865The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
25866commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
25867
25868@subheading Motivation
25869
25870The motivation for this collection of commands.
25871
25872@subheading Introduction
25873
25874A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
25875
25876@subheading Commands
25877
25878For each command in the block, the following is described:
25879
25880@subsubheading Synopsis
25881
25882@smallexample
25883 -command @var{args}@dots{}
25884@end smallexample
25885
25886@subsubheading Result
25887
25888@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25889
25890The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
25891
25892@subsubheading Example
25893
25894Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
25895not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
25896
25897
25898@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25899@node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
25900@section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
25901
25902@cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
25903@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
25904This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
25905breakpoints.
25906
25907@subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
25908@findex -break-after
25909
25910@subsubheading Synopsis
25911
25912@smallexample
25913 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25914@end smallexample
25915
25916The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25917hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25918the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25919@samp{-break-list} command below.
25920
25921@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25922
25923The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25924
25925@subsubheading Example
25926
25927@smallexample
25928(gdb)
25929-break-insert main
25930^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25931enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25932fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
25933times="0"@}
25934(gdb)
25935-break-after 1 3
25936~
25937^done
25938(gdb)
25939-break-list
25940^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25941hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25942@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25943@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25944@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25945@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25946@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25947body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25948addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25949line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25950(gdb)
25951@end smallexample
25952
25953@ignore
25954@subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25955@findex -break-catch
25956@end ignore
25957
25958@subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25959@findex -break-commands
25960
25961@subsubheading Synopsis
25962
25963@smallexample
25964 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25965@end smallexample
25966
25967Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25968@var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25969are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25970commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25971functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25972some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25973
25974@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25975
25976The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25977
25978@subsubheading Example
25979
25980@smallexample
25981(gdb)
25982-break-insert main
25983^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25984enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25985fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
25986times="0"@}
25987(gdb)
25988-break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25989^done
25990(gdb)
25991@end smallexample
25992
25993@subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25994@findex -break-condition
25995
25996@subsubheading Synopsis
25997
25998@smallexample
25999 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
26000@end smallexample
26001
26002Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
26003@var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
26004@samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
26005command below).
26006
26007@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26008
26009The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
26010
26011@subsubheading Example
26012
26013@smallexample
26014(gdb)
26015-break-condition 1 1
26016^done
26017(gdb)
26018-break-list
26019^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26020hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26021@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26022@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26023@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26024@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26025@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26026body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26027addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26028line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
26029(gdb)
26030@end smallexample
26031
26032@subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
26033@findex -break-delete
26034
26035@subsubheading Synopsis
26036
26037@smallexample
26038 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26039@end smallexample
26040
26041Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
26042list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
26043
26044@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26045
26046The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
26047
26048@subsubheading Example
26049
26050@smallexample
26051(gdb)
26052-break-delete 1
26053^done
26054(gdb)
26055-break-list
26056^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26057hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26058@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26059@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26060@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26061@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26062@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26063body=[]@}
26064(gdb)
26065@end smallexample
26066
26067@subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
26068@findex -break-disable
26069
26070@subsubheading Synopsis
26071
26072@smallexample
26073 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26074@end smallexample
26075
26076Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
26077break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
26078
26079@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26080
26081The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
26082
26083@subsubheading Example
26084
26085@smallexample
26086(gdb)
26087-break-disable 2
26088^done
26089(gdb)
26090-break-list
26091^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26092hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26093@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26094@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26095@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26096@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26097@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26098body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26099addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26100line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26101(gdb)
26102@end smallexample
26103
26104@subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
26105@findex -break-enable
26106
26107@subsubheading Synopsis
26108
26109@smallexample
26110 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
26111@end smallexample
26112
26113Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
26114
26115@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26116
26117The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
26118
26119@subsubheading Example
26120
26121@smallexample
26122(gdb)
26123-break-enable 2
26124^done
26125(gdb)
26126-break-list
26127^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26128hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26129@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26130@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26131@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26132@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26133@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26134body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26135addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26136line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26137(gdb)
26138@end smallexample
26139
26140@subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
26141@findex -break-info
26142
26143@subsubheading Synopsis
26144
26145@smallexample
26146 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
26147@end smallexample
26148
26149@c REDUNDANT???
26150Get information about a single breakpoint.
26151
26152The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
26153Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
26154table.
26155
26156@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26157
26158The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
26159
26160@subsubheading Example
26161N.A.
26162
26163@subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
26164@findex -break-insert
26165
26166@subsubheading Synopsis
26167
26168@smallexample
26169 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
26170 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26171 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
26172@end smallexample
26173
26174@noindent
26175If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
26176
26177@itemize @bullet
26178@item function
26179@c @item +offset
26180@c @item -offset
26181@c @item linenum
26182@item filename:linenum
26183@item filename:function
26184@item *address
26185@end itemize
26186
26187The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26188
26189@table @samp
26190@item -t
26191Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26192@item -h
26193Insert a hardware breakpoint.
26194@item -f
26195If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
26196refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26197breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26198an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26199cannot be parsed.
26200@item -d
26201Create a disabled breakpoint.
26202@item -a
26203Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
26204is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
26205@item -c @var{condition}
26206Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26207@item -i @var{ignore-count}
26208Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
26209@item -p @var{thread-id}
26210Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26211@end table
26212
26213@subsubheading Result
26214
26215@xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26216resulting breakpoint.
26217
26218Note: this format is open to change.
26219@c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26220
26221@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26222
26223The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
26224@samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
26225
26226@subsubheading Example
26227
26228@smallexample
26229(gdb)
26230-break-insert main
26231^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
26232fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26233times="0"@}
26234(gdb)
26235-break-insert -t foo
26236^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
26237fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26238times="0"@}
26239(gdb)
26240-break-list
26241^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26242hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26243@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26244@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26245@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26246@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26247@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26248body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26249addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
26250fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
26251times="0"@},
26252bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26253addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
26254fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26255times="0"@}]@}
26256(gdb)
26257@c -break-insert -r foo.*
26258@c ~int foo(int, int);
26259@c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
26260@c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
26261@c times="0"@}
26262@c (gdb)
26263@end smallexample
26264
26265@subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
26266@findex -dprintf-insert
26267
26268@subsubheading Synopsis
26269
26270@smallexample
26271 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
26272 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
26273 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
26274 [ @var{argument} ]
26275@end smallexample
26276
26277@noindent
26278If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
26279
26280@itemize @bullet
26281@item @var{function}
26282@c @item +offset
26283@c @item -offset
26284@c @item @var{linenum}
26285@item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
26286@item @var{filename}:function
26287@item *@var{address}
26288@end itemize
26289
26290The possible optional parameters of this command are:
26291
26292@table @samp
26293@item -t
26294Insert a temporary breakpoint.
26295@item -f
26296If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
26297refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
26298breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
26299an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
26300cannot be parsed.
26301@item -d
26302Create a disabled breakpoint.
26303@item -c @var{condition}
26304Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26305@item -i @var{ignore-count}
26306Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
26307to @var{ignore-count}.
26308@item -p @var{thread-id}
26309Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
26310@end table
26311
26312@subsubheading Result
26313
26314@xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
26315resulting breakpoint.
26316
26317@c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
26318
26319@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26320
26321The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
26322
26323@subsubheading Example
26324
26325@smallexample
26326(gdb)
263274-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
263284^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26329addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26330fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
26331times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
26332original-location="foo"@}
26333(gdb)
263345-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
263355^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26336addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
26337fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
26338times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
26339original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
26340(gdb)
26341@end smallexample
26342
26343@subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
26344@findex -break-list
26345
26346@subsubheading Synopsis
26347
26348@smallexample
26349 -break-list
26350@end smallexample
26351
26352Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
26353
26354@table @samp
26355@item Number
26356number of the breakpoint
26357@item Type
26358type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
26359@item Disposition
26360should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
26361or @samp{nokeep}
26362@item Enabled
26363is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
26364@item Address
26365memory location at which the breakpoint is set
26366@item What
26367logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
26368name, line number
26369@item Thread-groups
26370list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
26371@item Times
26372number of times the breakpoint has been hit
26373@end table
26374
26375If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
26376@code{body} field is an empty list.
26377
26378@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26379
26380The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
26381
26382@subsubheading Example
26383
26384@smallexample
26385(gdb)
26386-break-list
26387^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26388hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26389@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26390@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26391@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26392@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26393@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26394body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26395addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
26396times="0"@},
26397bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26398addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
26399line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26400(gdb)
26401@end smallexample
26402
26403Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
26404
26405@smallexample
26406(gdb)
26407-break-list
26408^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26409hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26410@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26411@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26412@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26413@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26414@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26415body=[]@}
26416(gdb)
26417@end smallexample
26418
26419@subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
26420@findex -break-passcount
26421
26422@subsubheading Synopsis
26423
26424@smallexample
26425 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
26426@end smallexample
26427
26428Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
26429@var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
26430is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
26431command @samp{passcount}.
26432
26433@subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
26434@findex -break-watch
26435
26436@subsubheading Synopsis
26437
26438@smallexample
26439 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
26440@end smallexample
26441
26442Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
26443@dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
26444read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
26445option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
26446trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
26447either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
26448i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
26449@xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
26450
26451Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
26452breakpoints inserted.
26453
26454@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26455
26456The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
26457@samp{rwatch}.
26458
26459@subsubheading Example
26460
26461Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
26462
26463@smallexample
26464(gdb)
26465-break-watch x
26466^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
26467(gdb)
26468-exec-continue
26469^running
26470(gdb)
26471*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
26472value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
26473frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26474fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
26475(gdb)
26476@end smallexample
26477
26478Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
26479the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
26480for the watchpoint going out of scope.
26481
26482@smallexample
26483(gdb)
26484-break-watch C
26485^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
26486(gdb)
26487-exec-continue
26488^running
26489(gdb)
26490*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
26491wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26492frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26493file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26494fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26495(gdb)
26496-exec-continue
26497^running
26498(gdb)
26499*stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
26500frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26501value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26502file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26503fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26504(gdb)
26505@end smallexample
26506
26507Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
26508execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
26509deleted.
26510
26511@smallexample
26512(gdb)
26513-break-watch C
26514^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
26515(gdb)
26516-break-list
26517^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26518hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26519@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26520@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26521@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26522@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26523@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26524body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26525addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26526file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26527fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
26528times="1"@},
26529bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26530enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
26531(gdb)
26532-exec-continue
26533^running
26534(gdb)
26535*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
26536value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26537frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26538file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26539fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26540(gdb)
26541-break-list
26542^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26543hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26544@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26545@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26546@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26547@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26548@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26549body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26550addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26551file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26552fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
26553times="1"@},
26554bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26555enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
26556(gdb)
26557-exec-continue
26558^running
26559^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
26560frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26561value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26562file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26563fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26564(gdb)
26565-break-list
26566^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26567hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26568@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26569@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26570@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26571@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26572@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26573body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26574addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26575file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26576fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
26577thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
26578(gdb)
26579@end smallexample
26580
26581
26582@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26583@node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
26584@section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
26585
26586This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
26587catchpoints.
26588
26589@menu
26590* Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
26591* Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
26592@end menu
26593
26594@node Shared Library GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
26595@subsection Shared Library @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
26596
26597@subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
26598@findex -catch-load
26599
26600@subsubheading Synopsis
26601
26602@smallexample
26603 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
26604@end smallexample
26605
26606Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
26607the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
26608Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
26609in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
26610expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
26611
26612
26613@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26614
26615The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
26616
26617@subsubheading Example
26618
26619@smallexample
26620-catch-load -t foo.so
26621^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
26622what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
26623(gdb)
26624@end smallexample
26625
26626
26627@subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
26628@findex -catch-unload
26629
26630@subsubheading Synopsis
26631
26632@smallexample
26633 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
26634@end smallexample
26635
26636Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
26637used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
26638Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
26639created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
26640expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
26641
26642@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26643
26644The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
26645
26646@subsubheading Example
26647
26648@smallexample
26649-catch-unload -d bar.so
26650^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
26651what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
26652(gdb)
26653@end smallexample
26654
26655@node Ada Exception GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
26656@subsection Ada Exception @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoints
26657
26658The following @sc{gdb/mi} commands can be used to create catchpoints
26659that stop the execution when Ada exceptions are being raised.
26660
26661@subheading The @code{-catch-assert} Command
26662@findex -catch-assert
26663
26664@subsubheading Synopsis
26665
26666@smallexample
26667 -catch-assert [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -t ]
26668@end smallexample
26669
26670Add a catchpoint for failed Ada assertions.
26671
26672The possible optional parameters for this command are:
26673
26674@table @samp
26675@item -c @var{condition}
26676Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26677@item -d
26678Create a disabled catchpoint.
26679@item -t
26680Create a temporary catchpoint.
26681@end table
26682
26683@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26684
26685The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch assert}.
26686
26687@subsubheading Example
26688
26689@smallexample
26690-catch-assert
26691^done,bkptno="5",bkpt=@{number="5",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26692enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404888",what="failed Ada assertions",
26693thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",
26694original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_assert_failure"@}
26695(gdb)
26696@end smallexample
26697
26698@subheading The @code{-catch-exception} Command
26699@findex -catch-exception
26700
26701@subsubheading Synopsis
26702
26703@smallexample
26704 -catch-exception [ -c @var{condition}] [ -d ] [ -e @var{exception-name} ]
26705 [ -t ] [ -u ]
26706@end smallexample
26707
26708Add a catchpoint stopping when Ada exceptions are raised.
26709By default, the command stops the program when any Ada exception
26710gets raised. But it is also possible, by using some of the
26711optional parameters described below, to create more selective
26712catchpoints.
26713
26714The possible optional parameters for this command are:
26715
26716@table @samp
26717@item -c @var{condition}
26718Make the catchpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
26719@item -d
26720Create a disabled catchpoint.
26721@item -e @var{exception-name}
26722Only stop when @var{exception-name} is raised. This option cannot
26723be used combined with @samp{-u}.
26724@item -t
26725Create a temporary catchpoint.
26726@item -u
26727Stop only when an unhandled exception gets raised. This option
26728cannot be used combined with @samp{-e}.
26729@end table
26730
26731@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26732
26733The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{catch exception}
26734and @samp{catch exception unhandled}.
26735
26736@subsubheading Example
26737
26738@smallexample
26739-catch-exception -e Program_Error
26740^done,bkptno="4",bkpt=@{number="4",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
26741enabled="y",addr="0x0000000000404874",
26742what="`Program_Error' Ada exception", thread-groups=["i1"],
26743times="0",original-location="__gnat_debug_raise_exception"@}
26744(gdb)
26745@end smallexample
26746
26747@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26748@node GDB/MI Program Context
26749@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
26750
26751@subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
26752@findex -exec-arguments
26753
26754
26755@subsubheading Synopsis
26756
26757@smallexample
26758 -exec-arguments @var{args}
26759@end smallexample
26760
26761Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
26762@samp{-exec-run}.
26763
26764@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26765
26766The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
26767
26768@subsubheading Example
26769
26770@smallexample
26771(gdb)
26772-exec-arguments -v word
26773^done
26774(gdb)
26775@end smallexample
26776
26777
26778@ignore
26779@subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
26780@findex -exec-show-arguments
26781
26782@subsubheading Synopsis
26783
26784@smallexample
26785 -exec-show-arguments
26786@end smallexample
26787
26788Print the arguments of the program.
26789
26790@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26791
26792The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
26793
26794@subsubheading Example
26795N.A.
26796@end ignore
26797
26798
26799@subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
26800@findex -environment-cd
26801
26802@subsubheading Synopsis
26803
26804@smallexample
26805 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
26806@end smallexample
26807
26808Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
26809
26810@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26811
26812The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
26813
26814@subsubheading Example
26815
26816@smallexample
26817(gdb)
26818-environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26819^done
26820(gdb)
26821@end smallexample
26822
26823
26824@subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
26825@findex -environment-directory
26826
26827@subsubheading Synopsis
26828
26829@smallexample
26830 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26831@end smallexample
26832
26833Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
26834If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
26835search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
26836@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26837occurs as normal.
26838Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26839multiple directories in a single command
26840results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26841search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26842If blanks are needed as
26843part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26844the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26845by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26846character must not be used
26847in any directory name.
26848If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
26849
26850@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26851
26852The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
26853
26854@subsubheading Example
26855
26856@smallexample
26857(gdb)
26858-environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26859^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26860(gdb)
26861-environment-directory ""
26862^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26863(gdb)
26864-environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
26865^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
26866(gdb)
26867-environment-directory -r
26868^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
26869(gdb)
26870@end smallexample
26871
26872
26873@subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
26874@findex -environment-path
26875
26876@subsubheading Synopsis
26877
26878@smallexample
26879 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26880@end smallexample
26881
26882Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
26883If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
26884search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
26885supplied in addition to the
26886@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26887occurs as normal.
26888Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26889multiple directories in a single command
26890results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26891search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26892If blanks are needed as
26893part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26894the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26895by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26896character must not be used
26897in any directory name.
26898If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
26899
26900
26901@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26902
26903The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
26904
26905@subsubheading Example
26906
26907@smallexample
26908(gdb)
26909-environment-path
26910^done,path="/usr/bin"
26911(gdb)
26912-environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
26913^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
26914(gdb)
26915-environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
26916^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
26917(gdb)
26918@end smallexample
26919
26920
26921@subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
26922@findex -environment-pwd
26923
26924@subsubheading Synopsis
26925
26926@smallexample
26927 -environment-pwd
26928@end smallexample
26929
26930Show the current working directory.
26931
26932@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26933
26934The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
26935
26936@subsubheading Example
26937
26938@smallexample
26939(gdb)
26940-environment-pwd
26941^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
26942(gdb)
26943@end smallexample
26944
26945@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26946@node GDB/MI Thread Commands
26947@section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
26948
26949
26950@subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
26951@findex -thread-info
26952
26953@subsubheading Synopsis
26954
26955@smallexample
26956 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
26957@end smallexample
26958
26959Reports information about either a specific thread, if
26960the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
26961threads. When printing information about all threads,
26962also reports the current thread.
26963
26964@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26965
26966The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
26967about all threads.
26968
26969@subsubheading Result
26970
26971The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
26972defined for a given thread:
26973
26974@table @samp
26975@item current
26976This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26977
26978@item id
26979The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
26980
26981@item target-id
26982The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
26983
26984@item details
26985Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
26986field is optional.
26987
26988@item name
26989The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
26990@code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
26991@value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
26992name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
26993field is omitted.
26994
26995@item frame
26996The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
26997
26998@item state
26999The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
27000values:
27001
27002@table @code
27003@item stopped
27004The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
27005threads.
27006
27007@item running
27008The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
27009threads.
27010
27011@end table
27012
27013@item core
27014If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
27015then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
27016
27017@end table
27018
27019@subsubheading Example
27020
27021@smallexample
27022-thread-info
27023^done,threads=[
27024@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
27025 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
27026 args=[]@},state="running"@},
27027@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
27028 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
27029 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
27030 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
27031 state="running"@}],
27032current-thread-id="1"
27033(gdb)
27034@end smallexample
27035
27036@subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
27037@findex -thread-list-ids
27038
27039@subsubheading Synopsis
27040
27041@smallexample
27042 -thread-list-ids
27043@end smallexample
27044
27045Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
27046end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
27047
27048This command is retained for historical reasons, the
27049@code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
27050
27051@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27052
27053Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
27054
27055@subsubheading Example
27056
27057@smallexample
27058(gdb)
27059-thread-list-ids
27060^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27061current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
27062(gdb)
27063@end smallexample
27064
27065
27066@subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
27067@findex -thread-select
27068
27069@subsubheading Synopsis
27070
27071@smallexample
27072 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
27073@end smallexample
27074
27075Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
27076current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
27077
27078This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
27079@samp{--thread} option to each command.
27080
27081@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27082
27083The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
27084
27085@subsubheading Example
27086
27087@smallexample
27088(gdb)
27089-exec-next
27090^running
27091(gdb)
27092*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
27093file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
27094(gdb)
27095-thread-list-ids
27096^done,
27097thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
27098number-of-threads="3"
27099(gdb)
27100-thread-select 3
27101^done,new-thread-id="3",
27102frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
27103args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
27104@{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
27105(gdb)
27106@end smallexample
27107
27108@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27109@node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
27110@section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
27111
27112@subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
27113@findex -ada-task-info
27114
27115@subsubheading Synopsis
27116
27117@smallexample
27118 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
27119@end smallexample
27120
27121Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
27122@var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
27123
27124@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27125
27126The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
27127about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
27128
27129@subsubheading Result
27130
27131The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
27132defined for each Ada task:
27133
27134@table @samp
27135@item current
27136This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
27137
27138@item id
27139The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
27140
27141@item task-id
27142The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
27143
27144@item thread-id
27145The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
27146
27147This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
27148on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
27149thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
27150
27151@item parent-id
27152This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
27153In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
27154
27155@item priority
27156The base priority of the task.
27157
27158@item state
27159The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
27160possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
27161
27162@item name
27163The name of the task.
27164
27165@end table
27166
27167@subsubheading Example
27168
27169@smallexample
27170-ada-task-info
27171^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
27172hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
27173@{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
27174@{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
27175@{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
27176@{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
27177@{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
27178@{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
27179@{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
27180body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
27181state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
27182(gdb)
27183@end smallexample
27184
27185@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27186@node GDB/MI Program Execution
27187@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
27188
27189These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
27190record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
27191asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
27192other cases.
27193
27194@subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
27195@findex -exec-continue
27196
27197@subsubheading Synopsis
27198
27199@smallexample
27200 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
27201@end smallexample
27202
27203Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
27204to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
27205@samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
27206it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
27207@itemize @bullet
27208@item
27209breakpoints or watchpoints
27210@item
27211signals or exceptions
27212@item
27213the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
27214@item
27215the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
27216@end itemize
27217In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
27218Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
27219value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
27220specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
27221ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
27222specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
27223
27224@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27225
27226The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
27227
27228@subsubheading Example
27229
27230@smallexample
27231-exec-continue
27232^running
27233(gdb)
27234@@Hello world
27235*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
27236func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
27237line="13"@}
27238(gdb)
27239@end smallexample
27240
27241
27242@subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
27243@findex -exec-finish
27244
27245@subsubheading Synopsis
27246
27247@smallexample
27248 -exec-finish [--reverse]
27249@end smallexample
27250
27251Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
27252function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
27253If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
27254execution of the inferior program until the point where current
27255function was called.
27256
27257@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27258
27259The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
27260
27261@subsubheading Example
27262
27263Function returning @code{void}.
27264
27265@smallexample
27266-exec-finish
27267^running
27268(gdb)
27269@@hello from foo
27270*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27271file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
27272(gdb)
27273@end smallexample
27274
27275Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
27276@value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
27277value itself.
27278
27279@smallexample
27280-exec-finish
27281^running
27282(gdb)
27283*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
27284args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
27285file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27286gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
27287(gdb)
27288@end smallexample
27289
27290
27291@subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
27292@findex -exec-interrupt
27293
27294@subsubheading Synopsis
27295
27296@smallexample
27297 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
27298@end smallexample
27299
27300Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
27301associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
27302that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
27303appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
27304interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
27305
27306Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
27307asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
27308@samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
27309reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
27310
27311In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
27312All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
27313@samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
27314option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
27315
27316@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27317
27318The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
27319
27320@subsubheading Example
27321
27322@smallexample
27323(gdb)
27324111-exec-continue
27325111^running
27326
27327(gdb)
27328222-exec-interrupt
27329222^done
27330(gdb)
27331111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
27332frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27333fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
27334(gdb)
27335
27336(gdb)
27337-exec-interrupt
27338^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
27339(gdb)
27340@end smallexample
27341
27342@subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
27343@findex -exec-jump
27344
27345@subsubheading Synopsis
27346
27347@smallexample
27348 -exec-jump @var{location}
27349@end smallexample
27350
27351Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
27352parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
27353different forms of @var{location}.
27354
27355@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27356
27357The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
27358
27359@subsubheading Example
27360
27361@smallexample
27362-exec-jump foo.c:10
27363*running,thread-id="all"
27364^running
27365@end smallexample
27366
27367
27368@subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
27369@findex -exec-next
27370
27371@subsubheading Synopsis
27372
27373@smallexample
27374 -exec-next [--reverse]
27375@end smallexample
27376
27377Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27378of the next source line is reached.
27379
27380If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27381of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
27382source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
27383function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
27384source line where the function was called.
27385
27386
27387@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27388
27389The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
27390
27391@subsubheading Example
27392
27393@smallexample
27394-exec-next
27395^running
27396(gdb)
27397*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
27398(gdb)
27399@end smallexample
27400
27401
27402@subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
27403@findex -exec-next-instruction
27404
27405@subsubheading Synopsis
27406
27407@smallexample
27408 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
27409@end smallexample
27410
27411Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
27412call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
27413instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
27414printed as well.
27415
27416If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
27417of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
27418previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
27419it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
27420(from the current stack frame) is reached.
27421
27422@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27423
27424The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
27425
27426@subsubheading Example
27427
27428@smallexample
27429(gdb)
27430-exec-next-instruction
27431^running
27432
27433(gdb)
27434*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27435addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
27436(gdb)
27437@end smallexample
27438
27439
27440@subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
27441@findex -exec-return
27442
27443@subsubheading Synopsis
27444
27445@smallexample
27446 -exec-return
27447@end smallexample
27448
27449Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
27450Displays the new current frame.
27451
27452@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27453
27454The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
27455
27456@subsubheading Example
27457
27458@smallexample
27459(gdb)
27460200-break-insert callee4
27461200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
27462file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27463(gdb)
27464000-exec-run
27465000^running
27466(gdb)
27467000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27468frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
27469file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27470fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
27471(gdb)
27472205-break-delete
27473205^done
27474(gdb)
27475111-exec-return
27476111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
27477args=[@{name="strarg",
27478value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
27479file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27480fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
27481(gdb)
27482@end smallexample
27483
27484
27485@subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
27486@findex -exec-run
27487
27488@subsubheading Synopsis
27489
27490@smallexample
27491 -exec-run [ --all | --thread-group N ] [ --start ]
27492@end smallexample
27493
27494Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
27495executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
27496exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
27497the program has exited exceptionally.
27498
27499When neither the @samp{--all} nor the @samp{--thread-group} option
27500is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
27501@samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
27502group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
27503If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
27504
27505Using the @samp{--start} option instructs the debugger to stop
27506the execution at the start of the inferior's main subprogram,
27507following the same behavior as the @code{start} command
27508(@pxref{Starting}).
27509
27510@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27511
27512The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
27513
27514@subsubheading Examples
27515
27516@smallexample
27517(gdb)
27518-break-insert main
27519^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27520(gdb)
27521-exec-run
27522^running
27523(gdb)
27524*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
27525frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
27526fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
27527(gdb)
27528@end smallexample
27529
27530@noindent
27531Program exited normally:
27532
27533@smallexample
27534(gdb)
27535-exec-run
27536^running
27537(gdb)
27538x = 55
27539*stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27540(gdb)
27541@end smallexample
27542
27543@noindent
27544Program exited exceptionally:
27545
27546@smallexample
27547(gdb)
27548-exec-run
27549^running
27550(gdb)
27551x = 55
27552*stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
27553(gdb)
27554@end smallexample
27555
27556Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
27557@code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
27558
27559@smallexample
27560(gdb)
27561*stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
27562signal-meaning="Interrupt"
27563@end smallexample
27564
27565
27566@c @subheading -exec-signal
27567
27568
27569@subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
27570@findex -exec-step
27571
27572@subsubheading Synopsis
27573
27574@smallexample
27575 -exec-step [--reverse]
27576@end smallexample
27577
27578Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
27579of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
27580function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
27581function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
27582execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
27583previously executed source line.
27584
27585@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27586
27587The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
27588
27589@subsubheading Example
27590
27591Stepping into a function:
27592
27593@smallexample
27594-exec-step
27595^running
27596(gdb)
27597*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27598frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
27599@{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
27600fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
27601(gdb)
27602@end smallexample
27603
27604Regular stepping:
27605
27606@smallexample
27607-exec-step
27608^running
27609(gdb)
27610*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
27611(gdb)
27612@end smallexample
27613
27614
27615@subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
27616@findex -exec-step-instruction
27617
27618@subsubheading Synopsis
27619
27620@smallexample
27621 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
27622@end smallexample
27623
27624Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
27625@samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
27626inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
27627The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
27628whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
27629former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
27630as well.
27631
27632@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27633
27634The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
27635
27636@subsubheading Example
27637
27638@smallexample
27639(gdb)
27640-exec-step-instruction
27641^running
27642
27643(gdb)
27644*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27645frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27646fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27647(gdb)
27648-exec-step-instruction
27649^running
27650
27651(gdb)
27652*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27653frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27654fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27655(gdb)
27656@end smallexample
27657
27658
27659@subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
27660@findex -exec-until
27661
27662@subsubheading Synopsis
27663
27664@smallexample
27665 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
27666@end smallexample
27667
27668Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
27669argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
27670until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
27671reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
27672
27673@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27674
27675The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
27676
27677@subsubheading Example
27678
27679@smallexample
27680(gdb)
27681-exec-until recursive2.c:6
27682^running
27683(gdb)
27684x = 55
27685*stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27686file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
27687(gdb)
27688@end smallexample
27689
27690@ignore
27691@subheading -file-clear
27692Is this going away????
27693@end ignore
27694
27695@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27696@node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
27697@section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
27698
27699@subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
27700@findex -enable-frame-filters
27701
27702@smallexample
27703-enable-frame-filters
27704@end smallexample
27705
27706@value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
27707the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
27708implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27709request that this functionality be enabled.
27710
27711Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27712
27713Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27714this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27715
27716@subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
27717@findex -stack-info-frame
27718
27719@subsubheading Synopsis
27720
27721@smallexample
27722 -stack-info-frame
27723@end smallexample
27724
27725Get info on the selected frame.
27726
27727@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27728
27729The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
27730(without arguments).
27731
27732@subsubheading Example
27733
27734@smallexample
27735(gdb)
27736-stack-info-frame
27737^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27738file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27739fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
27740(gdb)
27741@end smallexample
27742
27743@subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
27744@findex -stack-info-depth
27745
27746@subsubheading Synopsis
27747
27748@smallexample
27749 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
27750@end smallexample
27751
27752Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
27753is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
27754
27755@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27756
27757There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
27758
27759@subsubheading Example
27760
27761For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
27762
27763@smallexample
27764(gdb)
27765-stack-info-depth
27766^done,depth="12"
27767(gdb)
27768-stack-info-depth 4
27769^done,depth="4"
27770(gdb)
27771-stack-info-depth 12
27772^done,depth="12"
27773(gdb)
27774-stack-info-depth 11
27775^done,depth="11"
27776(gdb)
27777-stack-info-depth 13
27778^done,depth="12"
27779(gdb)
27780@end smallexample
27781
27782@anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
27783@subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
27784@findex -stack-list-arguments
27785
27786@subsubheading Synopsis
27787
27788@smallexample
27789 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
27790 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27791@end smallexample
27792
27793Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
27794and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
27795@var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
27796call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
27797at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
27798larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
27799@var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
27800which case only existing frames will be returned.
27801
27802If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27803the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27804values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27805type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27806structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
27807supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
27808
27809If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, arguments that
27810are not available are not listed. Partially available arguments
27811are still displayed, however.
27812
27813Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
27814deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27815
27816@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27817
27818@value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
27819@samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
27820functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
27821
27822@subsubheading Example
27823
27824@smallexample
27825(gdb)
27826-stack-list-frames
27827^done,
27828stack=[
27829frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27830file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27831fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
27832frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27833file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27834fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
27835frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
27836file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27837fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
27838frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
27839file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27840fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
27841frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
27842file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27843fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
27844(gdb)
27845-stack-list-arguments 0
27846^done,
27847stack-args=[
27848frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27849frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
27850frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
27851frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
27852frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27853(gdb)
27854-stack-list-arguments 1
27855^done,
27856stack-args=[
27857frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27858frame=@{level="1",
27859 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27860frame=@{level="2",args=[
27861@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27862@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27863@{frame=@{level="3",args=[
27864@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27865@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
27866@{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
27867frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27868(gdb)
27869-stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
27870^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
27871(gdb)
27872-stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
27873^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
27874args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27875@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
27876(gdb)
27877@end smallexample
27878
27879@c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
27880
27881
27882@anchor{-stack-list-frames}
27883@subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
27884@findex -stack-list-frames
27885
27886@subsubheading Synopsis
27887
27888@smallexample
27889 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27890@end smallexample
27891
27892List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
27893following info:
27894
27895@table @samp
27896@item @var{level}
27897The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
27898@item @var{addr}
27899The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
27900@item @var{func}
27901Function name.
27902@item @var{file}
27903File name of the source file where the function lives.
27904@item @var{fullname}
27905The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
27906@item @var{line}
27907Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
27908@item @var{from}
27909The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
27910if the frame's function is not known.
27911@end table
27912
27913If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
27914whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
27915levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
27916are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
27917an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
27918frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
27919actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
27920returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
27921Python frame filters will not be executed.
27922
27923@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27924
27925The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
27926
27927@subsubheading Example
27928
27929Full stack backtrace:
27930
27931@smallexample
27932(gdb)
27933-stack-list-frames
27934^done,stack=
27935[frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
27936 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
27937frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27938 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27939frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27940 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27941frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27942 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27943frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27944 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27945frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27946 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27947frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27948 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27949frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27950 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27951frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27952 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27953frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27954 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27955frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27956 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27957frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
27958 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
27959(gdb)
27960@end smallexample
27961
27962Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
27963
27964@smallexample
27965(gdb)
27966-stack-list-frames 3 5
27967^done,stack=
27968[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27969 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27970frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27971 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27972frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27973 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27974(gdb)
27975@end smallexample
27976
27977Show a single frame:
27978
27979@smallexample
27980(gdb)
27981-stack-list-frames 3 3
27982^done,stack=
27983[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27984 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27985(gdb)
27986@end smallexample
27987
27988
27989@subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
27990@findex -stack-list-locals
27991@anchor{-stack-list-locals}
27992
27993@subsubheading Synopsis
27994
27995@smallexample
27996 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
27997@end smallexample
27998
27999Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
28000@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28001the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28002values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28003type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28004structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
28005display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
28006other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
28007more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
28008Python frame filters will not be executed.
28009
28010If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28011that are not available are not listed. Partially available local
28012variables are still displayed, however.
28013
28014This command is deprecated in favor of the
28015@samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
28016
28017@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28018
28019@samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
28020
28021@subsubheading Example
28022
28023@smallexample
28024(gdb)
28025-stack-list-locals 0
28026^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
28027(gdb)
28028-stack-list-locals --all-values
28029^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
28030 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
28031-stack-list-locals --simple-values
28032^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
28033 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
28034(gdb)
28035@end smallexample
28036
28037@anchor{-stack-list-variables}
28038@subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
28039@findex -stack-list-variables
28040
28041@subsubheading Synopsis
28042
28043@smallexample
28044 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] [ --skip-unavailable ] @var{print-values}
28045@end smallexample
28046
28047Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
28048@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
28049the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
28050values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
28051type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
28052structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
28053supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
28054
28055If the @code{--skip-unavailable} option is specified, local variables
28056and arguments that are not available are not listed. Partially
28057available arguments and local variables are still displayed, however.
28058
28059@subsubheading Example
28060
28061@smallexample
28062(gdb)
28063-stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
28064^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
28065(gdb)
28066@end smallexample
28067
28068
28069@subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
28070@findex -stack-select-frame
28071
28072@subsubheading Synopsis
28073
28074@smallexample
28075 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
28076@end smallexample
28077
28078Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
28079the stack.
28080
28081This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
28082option to every command.
28083
28084@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28085
28086The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
28087@samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
28088
28089@subsubheading Example
28090
28091@smallexample
28092(gdb)
28093-stack-select-frame 2
28094^done
28095(gdb)
28096@end smallexample
28097
28098@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28099@node GDB/MI Variable Objects
28100@section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
28101
28102@ignore
28103
28104@subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28105
28106For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
28107expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
28108used by @code{Insight}.
28109
28110The two main reasons for that are:
28111
28112@enumerate 1
28113@item
28114It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
28115
28116@item
28117It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
28118now).
28119@end enumerate
28120
28121The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
28122slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
28123describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
28124hints about their use.
28125
28126@emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
28127expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
28128least, the following operations:
28129
28130@itemize @bullet
28131@item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
28132@item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
28133@item @code{-stack-list-locals}
28134@item @code{-stack-select-frame}
28135@end itemize
28136
28137@end ignore
28138
28139@subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
28140
28141@cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
28142
28143Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
28144changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
28145work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
28146simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
28147is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
28148frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
28149expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
28150expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
28151variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
28152operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
28153object, or to change display format.
28154
28155Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
28156that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
28157a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
28158element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
28159children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
28160leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
28161objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
28162is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
28163child will be created.
28164
28165For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
28166string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
28167obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
28168that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
28169contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
28170
28171A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
28172the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
28173variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
28174operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
28175be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
28176objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
28177real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
28178variables that frontend has created.
28179
28180The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
28181might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
28182and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
28183relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
28184to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
28185visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
28186called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
28187implicitly updated.
28188
28189Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
28190fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
28191object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
28192variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
28193variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
28194expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
28195frame. Consider this example:
28196
28197@smallexample
28198void do_work(...)
28199@{
28200 struct work_state state;
28201
28202 if (...)
28203 do_work(...);
28204@}
28205@end smallexample
28206
28207If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
28208this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
28209object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
28210@code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
28211object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
28212
28213If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
28214refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
28215thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
28216variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
28217thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
28218and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
28219
28220The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
28221access this functionality:
28222
28223@multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
28224@item @strong{Operation}
28225@tab @strong{Description}
28226
28227@item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
28228@tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
28229@item @code{-var-create}
28230@tab create a variable object
28231@item @code{-var-delete}
28232@tab delete the variable object and/or its children
28233@item @code{-var-set-format}
28234@tab set the display format of this variable
28235@item @code{-var-show-format}
28236@tab show the display format of this variable
28237@item @code{-var-info-num-children}
28238@tab tells how many children this object has
28239@item @code{-var-list-children}
28240@tab return a list of the object's children
28241@item @code{-var-info-type}
28242@tab show the type of this variable object
28243@item @code{-var-info-expression}
28244@tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
28245@item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
28246@tab print full expression that this variable object represents
28247@item @code{-var-show-attributes}
28248@tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
28249@item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
28250@tab get the value of this variable
28251@item @code{-var-assign}
28252@tab set the value of this variable
28253@item @code{-var-update}
28254@tab update the variable and its children
28255@item @code{-var-set-frozen}
28256@tab set frozeness attribute
28257@item @code{-var-set-update-range}
28258@tab set range of children to display on update
28259@end multitable
28260
28261In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
28262how it can be used.
28263
28264@subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
28265
28266@subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
28267@findex -enable-pretty-printing
28268
28269@smallexample
28270-enable-pretty-printing
28271@end smallexample
28272
28273@value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
28274MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
28275implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
28276request that this functionality be enabled.
28277
28278Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
28279
28280Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
28281this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
28282
28283This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
28284may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
28285
28286@subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
28287@findex -var-create
28288
28289@subsubheading Synopsis
28290
28291@smallexample
28292 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
28293 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
28294@end smallexample
28295
28296This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
28297a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
28298register.
28299
28300The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
28301referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
28302system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
28303unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
28304The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
28305
28306The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
28307specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
28308frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
28309object must be created.
28310
28311@var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
28312begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
28313
28314@itemize @bullet
28315@item
28316@samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
28317
28318@item
28319@samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
28320
28321@item
28322@samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
28323@end itemize
28324
28325@cindex dynamic varobj
28326A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
28327case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
28328have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
28329@code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
28330will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
28331compatibility for existing clients.
28332
28333@subsubheading Result
28334
28335This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
28336are:
28337
28338@table @samp
28339@item name
28340The name of the varobj.
28341
28342@item numchild
28343The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
28344reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
28345@samp{has_more} attribute.
28346
28347@item value
28348The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
28349aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
28350will not be interesting.
28351
28352@item type
28353The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
28354would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
28355(@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
28356@emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
28357@emph{declared} one.
28358
28359@item thread-id
28360If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
28361thread's identifier.
28362
28363@item has_more
28364For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
28365children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
28366
28367@item dynamic
28368This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28369varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28370then this attribute will not be present.
28371
28372@item displayhint
28373A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28374value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28375@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28376@end table
28377
28378Typical output will look like this:
28379
28380@smallexample
28381 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
28382 has_more="@var{has_more}"
28383@end smallexample
28384
28385
28386@subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
28387@findex -var-delete
28388
28389@subsubheading Synopsis
28390
28391@smallexample
28392 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
28393@end smallexample
28394
28395Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
28396With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
28397
28398Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
28399
28400
28401@subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
28402@findex -var-set-format
28403
28404@subsubheading Synopsis
28405
28406@smallexample
28407 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
28408@end smallexample
28409
28410Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
28411@var{format-spec}.
28412
28413@anchor{-var-set-format}
28414The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
28415
28416@smallexample
28417 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
28418 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
28419@end smallexample
28420
28421The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
28422based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
28423for pointers, etc.).
28424
28425For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
28426variable itself, and the children are not affected.
28427
28428@subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
28429@findex -var-show-format
28430
28431@subsubheading Synopsis
28432
28433@smallexample
28434 -var-show-format @var{name}
28435@end smallexample
28436
28437Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
28438
28439@smallexample
28440 @var{format} @expansion{}
28441 @var{format-spec}
28442@end smallexample
28443
28444
28445@subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
28446@findex -var-info-num-children
28447
28448@subsubheading Synopsis
28449
28450@smallexample
28451 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
28452@end smallexample
28453
28454Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
28455
28456@smallexample
28457 numchild=@var{n}
28458@end smallexample
28459
28460Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
28461It will return the current number of children, but more children may
28462be available.
28463
28464
28465@subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
28466@findex -var-list-children
28467
28468@subsubheading Synopsis
28469
28470@smallexample
28471 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
28472@end smallexample
28473@anchor{-var-list-children}
28474
28475Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
28476create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
28477a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
28478@code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
28479@var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
28480values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
28481value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
28482and unions.
28483
28484@var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
28485to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
28486reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
28487at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
28488reported.
28489
28490If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
28491@code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
28492For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
28493intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
28494update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
28495front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
28496then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
28497different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
28498the visible items.
28499
28500For each child the following results are returned:
28501
28502@table @var
28503
28504@item name
28505Name of the variable object created for this child.
28506
28507@item exp
28508The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
28509For example this may be the name of a structure member.
28510
28511For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
28512expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
28513
28514For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
28515designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
28516@samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
28517type and value are not present.
28518
28519A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
28520pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
28521available at all with a dynamic varobj.
28522
28523@item numchild
28524Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
285250.
28526
28527@item type
28528The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
28529(@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
28530@emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
28531@emph{declared} one.
28532
28533@item value
28534If values were requested, this is the value.
28535
28536@item thread-id
28537If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
28538Otherwise this result is not present.
28539
28540@item frozen
28541If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
28542
28543@item displayhint
28544A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28545value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28546@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28547
28548@item dynamic
28549This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28550varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28551then this attribute will not be present.
28552
28553@end table
28554
28555The result may have its own attributes:
28556
28557@table @samp
28558@item displayhint
28559A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
28560value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
28561@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
28562
28563@item has_more
28564This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
28565remaining after the end of the selected range.
28566@end table
28567
28568@subsubheading Example
28569
28570@smallexample
28571(gdb)
28572 -var-list-children n
28573 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28574 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28575(gdb)
28576 -var-list-children --all-values n
28577 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
28578 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
28579@end smallexample
28580
28581
28582@subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
28583@findex -var-info-type
28584
28585@subsubheading Synopsis
28586
28587@smallexample
28588 -var-info-type @var{name}
28589@end smallexample
28590
28591Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
28592returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
28593@value{GDBN} CLI:
28594
28595@smallexample
28596 type=@var{typename}
28597@end smallexample
28598
28599
28600@subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
28601@findex -var-info-expression
28602
28603@subsubheading Synopsis
28604
28605@smallexample
28606 -var-info-expression @var{name}
28607@end smallexample
28608
28609Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
28610variable object in user interface. The string is generally
28611not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
28612
28613For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
28614@code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
28615
28616@smallexample
28617(gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
28618^done,lang="C",exp="1"
28619@end smallexample
28620
28621@noindent
28622Here, the value of @code{lang} is the language name, which can be
28623found in @ref{Supported Languages}.
28624
28625Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
28626includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
28627is of limited use.
28628
28629@subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
28630@findex -var-info-path-expression
28631
28632@subsubheading Synopsis
28633
28634@smallexample
28635 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
28636@end smallexample
28637
28638Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
28639context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
28640Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
28641result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
28642the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
28643watchpoint from a variable object.
28644
28645This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
28646and will give an error when invoked on one.
28647
28648For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
28649@code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
28650@code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
28651@code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
28652@code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
28653@smallexample
28654(gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
28655^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
28656@end smallexample
28657
28658@subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
28659@findex -var-show-attributes
28660
28661@subsubheading Synopsis
28662
28663@smallexample
28664 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
28665@end smallexample
28666
28667List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
28668
28669@smallexample
28670 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
28671@end smallexample
28672
28673@noindent
28674where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
28675
28676@subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
28677@findex -var-evaluate-expression
28678
28679@subsubheading Synopsis
28680
28681@smallexample
28682 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
28683@end smallexample
28684
28685Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
28686object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
28687can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
28688this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
28689(@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
28690the current display format will be used. The current display format
28691can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
28692
28693@smallexample
28694 value=@var{value}
28695@end smallexample
28696
28697Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
28698before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
28699
28700@subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
28701@findex -var-assign
28702
28703@subsubheading Synopsis
28704
28705@smallexample
28706 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
28707@end smallexample
28708
28709Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
28710by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
28711value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
28712subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
28713
28714@subsubheading Example
28715
28716@smallexample
28717(gdb)
28718-var-assign var1 3
28719^done,value="3"
28720(gdb)
28721-var-update *
28722^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
28723(gdb)
28724@end smallexample
28725
28726@subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
28727@findex -var-update
28728
28729@subsubheading Synopsis
28730
28731@smallexample
28732 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
28733@end smallexample
28734
28735Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
28736@var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
28737list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
28738be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
28739@code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
28740@code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
28741object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
28742for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
28743@var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
28744names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
28745as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
28746recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
28747number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
28748
28749With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
28750currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
28751diagnostic.
28752
28753If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
28754only the selected range of children will be reported.
28755
28756@code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
28757@samp{changelist}.
28758
28759Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
28760
28761@table @samp
28762@item name
28763The name of the varobj.
28764
28765@item value
28766If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
28767present and will hold the value of the varobj.
28768
28769@item in_scope
28770@anchor{-var-update}
28771This field is a string which may take one of three values:
28772
28773@table @code
28774@item "true"
28775The variable object's current value is valid.
28776
28777@item "false"
28778The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
28779hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
28780scope.
28781
28782@item "invalid"
28783The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
28784This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
28785either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
28786command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
28787objects.
28788@end table
28789
28790In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
28791be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
28792
28793@item type_changed
28794This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
28795changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
28796be @samp{false}.
28797
28798When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
28799become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
28800deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
28801range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
28802unset.
28803
28804@item new_type
28805If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
28806hold the new type.
28807
28808@item new_num_children
28809For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
28810type changed, this will be the new number of children.
28811
28812The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
28813valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
28814@value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
28815instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
28816children which may be available.
28817
28818The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
28819number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
28820detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
28821only happen at the end of the update range).
28822
28823@item displayhint
28824The display hint, if any.
28825
28826@item has_more
28827This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
28828available outside the varobj's update range.
28829
28830@item dynamic
28831This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28832varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28833then this attribute will not be present.
28834
28835@item new_children
28836If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
28837update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
28838be listed in this attribute.
28839@end table
28840
28841@subsubheading Example
28842
28843@smallexample
28844(gdb)
28845-var-assign var1 3
28846^done,value="3"
28847(gdb)
28848-var-update --all-values var1
28849^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
28850type_changed="false"@}]
28851(gdb)
28852@end smallexample
28853
28854@subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
28855@findex -var-set-frozen
28856@anchor{-var-set-frozen}
28857
28858@subsubheading Synopsis
28859
28860@smallexample
28861 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
28862@end smallexample
28863
28864Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
28865@var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
28866frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
28867frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
28868implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
28869a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
28870@code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
28871values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
28872implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
28873Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
28874@code{-var-update} does.
28875
28876@subsubheading Example
28877
28878@smallexample
28879(gdb)
28880-var-set-frozen V 1
28881^done
28882(gdb)
28883@end smallexample
28884
28885@subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
28886@findex -var-set-update-range
28887@anchor{-var-set-update-range}
28888
28889@subsubheading Synopsis
28890
28891@smallexample
28892 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
28893@end smallexample
28894
28895Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
28896@code{-var-update}.
28897
28898@var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
28899@var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
28900children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
28901(zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
28902
28903@subsubheading Example
28904
28905@smallexample
28906(gdb)
28907-var-set-update-range V 1 2
28908^done
28909@end smallexample
28910
28911@subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
28912@findex -var-set-visualizer
28913@anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
28914
28915@subsubheading Synopsis
28916
28917@smallexample
28918 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
28919@end smallexample
28920
28921Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
28922
28923@var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
28924@samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
28925
28926If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
28927This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
28928single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
28929the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
28930Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
28931When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
28932pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
28933
28934The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
28935select a visualizer by following the built-in process
28936(@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
28937a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
28938
28939This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
28940command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Support Commands})
28941can be used to check this.
28942
28943@subsubheading Example
28944
28945Resetting the visualizer:
28946
28947@smallexample
28948(gdb)
28949-var-set-visualizer V None
28950^done
28951@end smallexample
28952
28953Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
28954
28955@smallexample
28956(gdb)
28957-var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
28958^done
28959@end smallexample
28960
28961Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
28962can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
28963
28964@smallexample
28965(gdb)
28966-var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
28967^done
28968@end smallexample
28969
28970@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28971@node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
28972@section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
28973
28974@cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
28975@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
28976This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
28977examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
28978
28979@c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
28980@c @subheading -data-assign
28981@c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
28982@c @subsubheading GDB Command
28983@c set variable
28984@c @subsubheading Example
28985@c N.A.
28986
28987@subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
28988@findex -data-disassemble
28989
28990@subsubheading Synopsis
28991
28992@smallexample
28993 -data-disassemble
28994 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
28995 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
28996 -- @var{mode}
28997@end smallexample
28998
28999@noindent
29000Where:
29001
29002@table @samp
29003@item @var{start-addr}
29004is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
29005@item @var{end-addr}
29006is the end address
29007@item @var{filename}
29008is the name of the file to disassemble
29009@item @var{linenum}
29010is the line number to disassemble around
29011@item @var{lines}
29012is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
29013the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
29014specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
29015@var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
29016@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
29017displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
29018@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
29019are displayed.
29020@item @var{mode}
29021is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
29022disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
29023mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
29024@end table
29025
29026@subsubheading Result
29027
29028The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
29029@samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
29030used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
29031
29032For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
29033following fields:
29034
29035@table @code
29036@item address
29037The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
29038
29039@item func-name
29040The name of the function this instruction is within.
29041
29042@item offset
29043The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
29044
29045@item inst
29046The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
29047
29048@item opcodes
29049This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
29050bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
29051
29052@end table
29053
29054For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
29055@samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
29056
29057@table @code
29058@item line
29059The line number within @samp{file}.
29060
29061@item file
29062The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
29063file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
29064used.
29065
29066@item fullname
29067Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
29068using the source file search path
29069(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
29070and after resolving all the symbolic links.
29071
29072If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
29073present in the debug information.
29074
29075@item line_asm_insn
29076This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
29077@samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
29078@code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
29079@samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
29080@samp{opcodes}.
29081
29082@end table
29083
29084Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
29085manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
29086adjust its format.
29087
29088@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29089
29090The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
29091
29092@subsubheading Example
29093
29094Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
29095
29096@smallexample
29097(gdb)
29098-data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
29099^done,
29100asm_insns=[
29101@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29102inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29103@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29104inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29105@{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
29106inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
29107@{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
29108inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29109@{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
29110inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
29111(gdb)
29112@end smallexample
29113
29114Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
29115@code{main}.
29116
29117@smallexample
29118-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
29119^done,asm_insns=[
29120@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29121inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29122@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29123inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29124@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29125inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
29126[@dots{}]
29127@{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
29128@{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
29129(gdb)
29130@end smallexample
29131
29132Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
29133
29134@smallexample
29135(gdb)
29136-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
29137^done,asm_insns=[
29138@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
29139inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
29140@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
29141inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29142@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29143inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
29144(gdb)
29145@end smallexample
29146
29147Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
29148
29149@smallexample
29150(gdb)
29151-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
29152^done,asm_insns=[
29153src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
29154file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29155fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29156line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
29157func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
29158src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
29159file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29160fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29161line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
29162func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
29163@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
29164inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
29165(gdb)
29166@end smallexample
29167
29168
29169@subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
29170@findex -data-evaluate-expression
29171
29172@subsubheading Synopsis
29173
29174@smallexample
29175 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
29176@end smallexample
29177
29178Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
29179inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
29180If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
29181
29182@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29183
29184The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
29185@samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
29186@samp{gdb_eval} command.
29187
29188@subsubheading Example
29189
29190In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
29191@dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
29192Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
29193output.
29194
29195@smallexample
29196211-data-evaluate-expression A
29197211^done,value="1"
29198(gdb)
29199311-data-evaluate-expression &A
29200311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
29201(gdb)
29202411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
29203411^done,value="4"
29204(gdb)
29205511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
29206511^done,value="4"
29207(gdb)
29208@end smallexample
29209
29210
29211@subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
29212@findex -data-list-changed-registers
29213
29214@subsubheading Synopsis
29215
29216@smallexample
29217 -data-list-changed-registers
29218@end smallexample
29219
29220Display a list of the registers that have changed.
29221
29222@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29223
29224@value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
29225has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
29226
29227@subsubheading Example
29228
29229On a PPC MBX board:
29230
29231@smallexample
29232(gdb)
29233-exec-continue
29234^running
29235
29236(gdb)
29237*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
29238func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
29239line="5"@}
29240(gdb)
29241-data-list-changed-registers
29242^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
29243"10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
29244"24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
29245(gdb)
29246@end smallexample
29247
29248
29249@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
29250@findex -data-list-register-names
29251
29252@subsubheading Synopsis
29253
29254@smallexample
29255 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
29256@end smallexample
29257
29258Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
29259are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
29260integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
29261names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
29262consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
29263include empty register names.
29264
29265@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29266
29267@value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
29268@samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
29269corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
29270
29271@subsubheading Example
29272
29273For the PPC MBX board:
29274@smallexample
29275(gdb)
29276-data-list-register-names
29277^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
29278"r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
29279"r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
29280"r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
29281"f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
29282"f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
29283"", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
29284(gdb)
29285-data-list-register-names 1 2 3
29286^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
29287(gdb)
29288@end smallexample
29289
29290@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
29291@findex -data-list-register-values
29292
29293@subsubheading Synopsis
29294
29295@smallexample
29296 -data-list-register-values
29297 [ @code{--skip-unavailable} ] @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
29298@end smallexample
29299
29300Display the registers' contents. The format according to which the
29301registers' contents are to be returned is given by @var{fmt}, followed
29302by an optional list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A
29303missing list of numbers indicates that the contents of all the
29304registers must be returned. The @code{--skip-unavailable} option
29305indicates that only the available registers are to be returned.
29306
29307Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
29308
29309@table @code
29310@item x
29311Hexadecimal
29312@item o
29313Octal
29314@item t
29315Binary
29316@item d
29317Decimal
29318@item r
29319Raw
29320@item N
29321Natural
29322@end table
29323
29324@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29325
29326The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
29327all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
29328
29329@subsubheading Example
29330
29331For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
29332don't appear in the actual output):
29333
29334@smallexample
29335(gdb)
29336-data-list-register-values r 64 65
29337^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29338@{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
29339(gdb)
29340-data-list-register-values x
29341^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
29342@{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29343@{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
29344@{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
29345@{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
29346@{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
29347@{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
29348@{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
29349@{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
29350@{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
29351@{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
29352@{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
29353@{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
29354@{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
29355@{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
29356@{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
29357@{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
29358@{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
29359@{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
29360@{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
29361@{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
29362@{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
29363@{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
29364@{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
29365@{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
29366@{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
29367@{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
29368@{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
29369@{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
29370@{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
29371@{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
29372@{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
29373@{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
29374@{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
29375@{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
29376@{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
29377(gdb)
29378@end smallexample
29379
29380
29381@subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
29382@findex -data-read-memory
29383
29384This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
29385
29386@subsubheading Synopsis
29387
29388@smallexample
29389 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29390 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
29391 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
29392@end smallexample
29393
29394@noindent
29395where:
29396
29397@table @samp
29398@item @var{address}
29399An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29400read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29401quoted using the C convention.
29402
29403@item @var{word-format}
29404The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
29405same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
29406,Output Formats}).
29407
29408@item @var{word-size}
29409The size of each memory word in bytes.
29410
29411@item @var{nr-rows}
29412The number of rows in the output table.
29413
29414@item @var{nr-cols}
29415The number of columns in the output table.
29416
29417@item @var{aschar}
29418If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
29419value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
29420member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
29421characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
29422
29423@item @var{byte-offset}
29424An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
29425@end table
29426
29427This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
29428@var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
29429@code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
29430(returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
29431of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
29432using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
29433in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
29434@samp{addr}.
29435
29436The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
29437@samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
29438@samp{prev-page}.
29439
29440@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29441
29442The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
29443@samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
29444
29445@subsubheading Example
29446
29447Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
29448@code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
29449word. Display each word in hex.
29450
29451@smallexample
29452(gdb)
294539-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
294549^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
29455next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
29456prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
29457@{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
29458@{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
29459@{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
29460(gdb)
29461@end smallexample
29462
29463Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
29464display as a single word formatted in decimal.
29465
29466@smallexample
29467(gdb)
294685-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
294695^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
29470next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
29471next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
29472@{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
29473(gdb)
29474@end smallexample
29475
29476Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
29477as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
29478used as the non-printable character.
29479
29480@smallexample
29481(gdb)
294824-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
294834^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
29484next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
29485next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
29486@{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29487@{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29488@{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29489@{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
29490@{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
29491@{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
29492@{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
29493@{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
29494(gdb)
29495@end smallexample
29496
29497@subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
29498@findex -data-read-memory-bytes
29499
29500@subsubheading Synopsis
29501
29502@smallexample
29503 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
29504 @var{address} @var{count}
29505@end smallexample
29506
29507@noindent
29508where:
29509
29510@table @samp
29511@item @var{address}
29512An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29513read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29514quoted using the C convention.
29515
29516@item @var{count}
29517The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
29518
29519@item @var{byte-offset}
29520The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
29521reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
29522so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
29523perform address arithmetics itself.
29524
29525@end table
29526
29527This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
29528specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
29529map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
29530Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
29531regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
29532@value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
29533
29534In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
29535and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
29536every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
29537attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
29538of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
29539well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
29540has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
29541@value{GDBN} will not read it.
29542
29543The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
29544the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
29545list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
29546and has the following fields:
29547
29548@table @code
29549@item begin
29550The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
29551
29552@item end
29553The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
29554
29555@item offset
29556The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
29557the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
29558
29559@item contents
29560The contents of the memory block, in hex.
29561
29562@end table
29563
29564
29565
29566@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29567
29568The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
29569
29570@subsubheading Example
29571
29572@smallexample
29573(gdb)
29574-data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
29575^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
29576 end="0xbffff15e",
29577 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
29578(gdb)
29579@end smallexample
29580
29581
29582@subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
29583@findex -data-write-memory-bytes
29584
29585@subsubheading Synopsis
29586
29587@smallexample
29588 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
29589 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
29590@end smallexample
29591
29592@noindent
29593where:
29594
29595@table @samp
29596@item @var{address}
29597An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
29598read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
29599quoted using the C convention.
29600
29601@item @var{contents}
29602The hex-encoded bytes to write.
29603
29604@item @var{count}
29605Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
29606is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
29607write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
29608
29609@end table
29610
29611@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29612
29613There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29614
29615@subsubheading Example
29616
29617@smallexample
29618(gdb)
29619-data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
29620^done
29621(gdb)
29622@end smallexample
29623
29624@smallexample
29625(gdb)
29626-data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
29627^done
29628(gdb)
29629@end smallexample
29630
29631@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29632@node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
29633@section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
29634
29635The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
29636tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
29637
29638@subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
29639@findex -trace-find
29640
29641@subsubheading Synopsis
29642
29643@smallexample
29644 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
29645@end smallexample
29646
29647Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
29648@var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
29649modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
29650
29651@table @samp
29652
29653@item none
29654No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
29655
29656@item frame-number
29657An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
29658that index.
29659
29660@item tracepoint-number
29661An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
29662trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
29663
29664@item pc
29665An address is required as parameter. Finds
29666next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
29667address.
29668
29669@item pc-inside-range
29670Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
29671frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
29672specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29673
29674@item pc-outside-range
29675Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
29676next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
29677the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
29678
29679@item line
29680Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
29681Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
29682the specified location.
29683
29684@end table
29685
29686If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
29687have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
29688
29689@table @samp
29690@item found
29691This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
29692on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
29693
29694@item traceframe
29695The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
29696the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29697
29698@item tracepoint
29699The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
29700the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
29701
29702@item frame
29703The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
29704frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
29705@xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
29706
29707@end table
29708
29709@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29710
29711The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
29712
29713@subheading -trace-define-variable
29714@findex -trace-define-variable
29715
29716@subsubheading Synopsis
29717
29718@smallexample
29719 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
29720@end smallexample
29721
29722Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
29723@var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
29724trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
29725with the @samp{$} character.
29726
29727@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29728
29729The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
29730
29731@subheading The @code{-trace-frame-collected} Command
29732@findex -trace-frame-collected
29733
29734@subsubheading Synopsis
29735
29736@smallexample
29737 -trace-frame-collected
29738 [--var-print-values @var{var_pval}]
29739 [--comp-print-values @var{comp_pval}]
29740 [--registers-format @var{regformat}]
29741 [--memory-contents]
29742@end smallexample
29743
29744This command returns the set of collected objects, register names,
29745trace state variable names, memory ranges and computed expressions
29746that have been collected at a particular trace frame. The optional
29747parameters to the command affect the output format in different ways.
29748See the output description table below for more details.
29749
29750The reported names can be used in the normal manner to create
29751varobjs and inspect the objects themselves. The items returned by
29752this command are categorized so that it is clear which is a variable,
29753which is a register, which is a trace state variable, which is a
29754memory range and which is a computed expression.
29755
29756For instance, if the actions were
29757@smallexample
29758collect myVar, myArray[myIndex], myObj.field, myPtr->field, myCount + 2
29759collect *(int*)0xaf02bef0@@40
29760@end smallexample
29761
29762@noindent
29763the object collected in its entirety would be @code{myVar}. The
29764object @code{myArray} would be partially collected, because only the
29765element at index @code{myIndex} would be collected. The remaining
29766objects would be computed expressions.
29767
29768An example output would be:
29769
29770@smallexample
29771(gdb)
29772-trace-frame-collected
29773^done,
29774 explicit-variables=[@{name="myVar",value="1"@}],
29775 computed-expressions=[@{name="myArray[myIndex]",value="0"@},
29776 @{name="myObj.field",value="0"@},
29777 @{name="myPtr->field",value="1"@},
29778 @{name="myCount + 2",value="3"@},
29779 @{name="$tvar1 + 1",value="43970027"@}],
29780 registers=[@{number="0",value="0x7fe2c6e79ec8"@},
29781 @{number="1",value="0x0"@},
29782 @{number="2",value="0x4"@},
29783 ...
29784 @{number="125",value="0x0"@}],
29785 tvars=[@{name="$tvar1",current="43970026"@}],
29786 memory=[@{address="0x0000000000602264",length="4"@},
29787 @{address="0x0000000000615bc0",length="4"@}]
29788(gdb)
29789@end smallexample
29790
29791Where:
29792
29793@table @code
29794@item explicit-variables
29795The set of objects that have been collected in their entirety (as
29796opposed to collecting just a few elements of an array or a few struct
29797members). For each object, its name and value are printed.
29798The @code{--var-print-values} option affects how or whether the value
29799field is output. If @var{var_pval} is 0, then print only the names;
29800if it is 1, print also their values; and if it is 2, print the name,
29801type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for
29802arrays, structures and unions.
29803
29804@item computed-expressions
29805The set of computed expressions that have been collected at the
29806current trace frame. The @code{--comp-print-values} option affects
29807this set like the @code{--var-print-values} option affects the
29808@code{explicit-variables} set. See above.
29809
29810@item registers
29811The registers that have been collected at the current trace frame.
29812For each register collected, the name and current value are returned.
29813The value is formatted according to the @code{--registers-format}
29814option. See the @command{-data-list-register-values} command for a
29815list of the allowed formats. The default is @samp{x}.
29816
29817@item tvars
29818The trace state variables that have been collected at the current
29819trace frame. For each trace state variable collected, the name and
29820current value are returned.
29821
29822@item memory
29823The set of memory ranges that have been collected at the current trace
29824frame. Its content is a list of tuples. Each tuple represents a
29825collected memory range and has the following fields:
29826
29827@table @code
29828@item address
29829The start address of the memory range, as hexadecimal literal.
29830
29831@item length
29832The length of the memory range, as decimal literal.
29833
29834@item contents
29835The contents of the memory block, in hex. This field is only present
29836if the @code{--memory-contents} option is specified.
29837
29838@end table
29839
29840@end table
29841
29842@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29843
29844There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29845
29846@subsubheading Example
29847
29848@subheading -trace-list-variables
29849@findex -trace-list-variables
29850
29851@subsubheading Synopsis
29852
29853@smallexample
29854 -trace-list-variables
29855@end smallexample
29856
29857Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
29858table has the following fields:
29859
29860@table @samp
29861@item name
29862The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
29863
29864@item initial
29865The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
29866field is always present.
29867
29868@item current
29869The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
29870signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
29871not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
29872presently running.
29873
29874@end table
29875
29876@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29877
29878The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
29879
29880@subsubheading Example
29881
29882@smallexample
29883(gdb)
29884-trace-list-variables
29885^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
29886hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
29887 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
29888 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
29889body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
29890 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
29891(gdb)
29892@end smallexample
29893
29894@subheading -trace-save
29895@findex -trace-save
29896
29897@subsubheading Synopsis
29898
29899@smallexample
29900 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
29901@end smallexample
29902
29903Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
29904@samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
29905in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
29906to perform the save.
29907
29908@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29909
29910The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
29911
29912
29913@subheading -trace-start
29914@findex -trace-start
29915
29916@subsubheading Synopsis
29917
29918@smallexample
29919 -trace-start
29920@end smallexample
29921
29922Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
29923have any fields.
29924
29925@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29926
29927The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
29928
29929@subheading -trace-status
29930@findex -trace-status
29931
29932@subsubheading Synopsis
29933
29934@smallexample
29935 -trace-status
29936@end smallexample
29937
29938Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
29939the following fields:
29940
29941@table @samp
29942
29943@item supported
29944May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
29945supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
29946@samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
29947of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
29948started. This field is always present.
29949
29950@item running
29951May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
29952tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
29953if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29954
29955@item stop-reason
29956Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
29957may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
29958value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
29959the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
29960the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
29961tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
29962The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
29963tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
29964This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29965
29966@item stopping-tracepoint
29967The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
29968present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
29969@samp{passcount}.
29970
29971@item frames
29972@itemx frames-created
29973The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
29974in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
29975during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
29976circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
29977
29978@item buffer-size
29979@itemx buffer-free
29980These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
29981remaining space. These fields are optional.
29982
29983@item circular
29984The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
29985trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
29986necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
29987and may fill up.
29988
29989@item disconnected
29990The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
29991tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
29992that the trace run will stop.
29993
29994@item trace-file
29995The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
29996optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
29997
29998@end table
29999
30000@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30001
30002The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
30003
30004@subheading -trace-stop
30005@findex -trace-stop
30006
30007@subsubheading Synopsis
30008
30009@smallexample
30010 -trace-stop
30011@end smallexample
30012
30013Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
30014fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
30015@samp{running} fields are not output.
30016
30017@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30018
30019The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
30020
30021
30022@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30023@node GDB/MI Symbol Query
30024@section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
30025
30026
30027@ignore
30028@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
30029@findex -symbol-info-address
30030
30031@subsubheading Synopsis
30032
30033@smallexample
30034 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
30035@end smallexample
30036
30037Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
30038
30039@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30040
30041The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
30042
30043@subsubheading Example
30044N.A.
30045
30046
30047@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
30048@findex -symbol-info-file
30049
30050@subsubheading Synopsis
30051
30052@smallexample
30053 -symbol-info-file
30054@end smallexample
30055
30056Show the file for the symbol.
30057
30058@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30059
30060There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
30061@samp{gdb_find_file}.
30062
30063@subsubheading Example
30064N.A.
30065
30066
30067@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
30068@findex -symbol-info-function
30069
30070@subsubheading Synopsis
30071
30072@smallexample
30073 -symbol-info-function
30074@end smallexample
30075
30076Show which function the symbol lives in.
30077
30078@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30079
30080@samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
30081
30082@subsubheading Example
30083N.A.
30084
30085
30086@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
30087@findex -symbol-info-line
30088
30089@subsubheading Synopsis
30090
30091@smallexample
30092 -symbol-info-line
30093@end smallexample
30094
30095Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
30096
30097@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30098
30099The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
30100@code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
30101
30102@subsubheading Example
30103N.A.
30104
30105
30106@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
30107@findex -symbol-info-symbol
30108
30109@subsubheading Synopsis
30110
30111@smallexample
30112 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
30113@end smallexample
30114
30115Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
30116
30117@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30118
30119The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
30120
30121@subsubheading Example
30122N.A.
30123
30124
30125@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
30126@findex -symbol-list-functions
30127
30128@subsubheading Synopsis
30129
30130@smallexample
30131 -symbol-list-functions
30132@end smallexample
30133
30134List the functions in the executable.
30135
30136@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30137
30138@samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
30139@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30140
30141@subsubheading Example
30142N.A.
30143@end ignore
30144
30145
30146@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
30147@findex -symbol-list-lines
30148
30149@subsubheading Synopsis
30150
30151@smallexample
30152 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
30153@end smallexample
30154
30155Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
30156addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
30157ascending PC order.
30158
30159@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30160
30161There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30162
30163@subsubheading Example
30164@smallexample
30165(gdb)
30166-symbol-list-lines basics.c
30167^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
30168(gdb)
30169@end smallexample
30170
30171
30172@ignore
30173@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
30174@findex -symbol-list-types
30175
30176@subsubheading Synopsis
30177
30178@smallexample
30179 -symbol-list-types
30180@end smallexample
30181
30182List all the type names.
30183
30184@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30185
30186The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
30187@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30188
30189@subsubheading Example
30190N.A.
30191
30192
30193@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
30194@findex -symbol-list-variables
30195
30196@subsubheading Synopsis
30197
30198@smallexample
30199 -symbol-list-variables
30200@end smallexample
30201
30202List all the global and static variable names.
30203
30204@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30205
30206@samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
30207
30208@subsubheading Example
30209N.A.
30210
30211
30212@subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
30213@findex -symbol-locate
30214
30215@subsubheading Synopsis
30216
30217@smallexample
30218 -symbol-locate
30219@end smallexample
30220
30221@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30222
30223@samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
30224
30225@subsubheading Example
30226N.A.
30227
30228
30229@subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
30230@findex -symbol-type
30231
30232@subsubheading Synopsis
30233
30234@smallexample
30235 -symbol-type @var{variable}
30236@end smallexample
30237
30238Show type of @var{variable}.
30239
30240@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30241
30242The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
30243@samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
30244
30245@subsubheading Example
30246N.A.
30247@end ignore
30248
30249
30250@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30251@node GDB/MI File Commands
30252@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
30253
30254This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
30255and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
30256
30257@subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
30258@findex -file-exec-and-symbols
30259
30260@subsubheading Synopsis
30261
30262@smallexample
30263 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
30264@end smallexample
30265
30266Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
30267which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
30268command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
30269are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
30270error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
30271notification.
30272
30273@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30274
30275The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
30276
30277@subsubheading Example
30278
30279@smallexample
30280(gdb)
30281-file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30282^done
30283(gdb)
30284@end smallexample
30285
30286
30287@subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
30288@findex -file-exec-file
30289
30290@subsubheading Synopsis
30291
30292@smallexample
30293 -file-exec-file @var{file}
30294@end smallexample
30295
30296Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
30297@samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
30298from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
30299about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
30300notification.
30301
30302@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30303
30304The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
30305
30306@subsubheading Example
30307
30308@smallexample
30309(gdb)
30310-file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30311^done
30312(gdb)
30313@end smallexample
30314
30315
30316@ignore
30317@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
30318@findex -file-list-exec-sections
30319
30320@subsubheading Synopsis
30321
30322@smallexample
30323 -file-list-exec-sections
30324@end smallexample
30325
30326List the sections of the current executable file.
30327
30328@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30329
30330The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
30331information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
30332@samp{gdb_load_info}.
30333
30334@subsubheading Example
30335N.A.
30336@end ignore
30337
30338
30339@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
30340@findex -file-list-exec-source-file
30341
30342@subsubheading Synopsis
30343
30344@smallexample
30345 -file-list-exec-source-file
30346@end smallexample
30347
30348List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
30349to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
30350information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
30351whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
30352
30353@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30354
30355The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
30356
30357@subsubheading Example
30358
30359@smallexample
30360(gdb)
30361123-file-list-exec-source-file
30362123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
30363(gdb)
30364@end smallexample
30365
30366
30367@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
30368@findex -file-list-exec-source-files
30369
30370@subsubheading Synopsis
30371
30372@smallexample
30373 -file-list-exec-source-files
30374@end smallexample
30375
30376List the source files for the current executable.
30377
30378It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
30379name) of a source file.
30380
30381@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30382
30383The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
30384@code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
30385
30386@subsubheading Example
30387@smallexample
30388(gdb)
30389-file-list-exec-source-files
30390^done,files=[
30391@{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
30392@{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
30393@{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
30394(gdb)
30395@end smallexample
30396
30397@ignore
30398@subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
30399@findex -file-list-shared-libraries
30400
30401@subsubheading Synopsis
30402
30403@smallexample
30404 -file-list-shared-libraries
30405@end smallexample
30406
30407List the shared libraries in the program.
30408
30409@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30410
30411The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
30412
30413@subsubheading Example
30414N.A.
30415
30416
30417@subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
30418@findex -file-list-symbol-files
30419
30420@subsubheading Synopsis
30421
30422@smallexample
30423 -file-list-symbol-files
30424@end smallexample
30425
30426List symbol files.
30427
30428@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30429
30430The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
30431
30432@subsubheading Example
30433N.A.
30434@end ignore
30435
30436
30437@subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
30438@findex -file-symbol-file
30439
30440@subsubheading Synopsis
30441
30442@smallexample
30443 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
30444@end smallexample
30445
30446Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
30447used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
30448produced, except for a completion notification.
30449
30450@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30451
30452The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
30453
30454@subsubheading Example
30455
30456@smallexample
30457(gdb)
30458-file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
30459^done
30460(gdb)
30461@end smallexample
30462
30463@ignore
30464@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30465@node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
30466@section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
30467
30468The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
30469
30470@c @subheading -overlay-auto
30471
30472@c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
30473
30474@c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
30475
30476@c @subheading -overlay-map
30477
30478@c @subheading -overlay-off
30479
30480@c @subheading -overlay-on
30481
30482@c @subheading -overlay-unmap
30483
30484@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30485@node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
30486@section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
30487
30488Signal handling commands are not implemented.
30489
30490@c @subheading -signal-handle
30491
30492@c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
30493
30494@c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
30495@end ignore
30496
30497
30498@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30499@node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
30500@section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
30501
30502
30503@subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
30504@findex -target-attach
30505
30506@subsubheading Synopsis
30507
30508@smallexample
30509 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
30510@end smallexample
30511
30512Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
30513@value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
30514group, the id previously returned by
30515@samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
30516
30517@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30518
30519The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
30520
30521@subsubheading Example
30522@smallexample
30523(gdb)
30524-target-attach 34
30525=thread-created,id="1"
30526*stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
30527^done
30528(gdb)
30529@end smallexample
30530
30531@ignore
30532@subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
30533@findex -target-compare-sections
30534
30535@subsubheading Synopsis
30536
30537@smallexample
30538 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
30539@end smallexample
30540
30541Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
30542Without the argument, all sections are compared.
30543
30544@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30545
30546The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
30547
30548@subsubheading Example
30549N.A.
30550@end ignore
30551
30552
30553@subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
30554@findex -target-detach
30555
30556@subsubheading Synopsis
30557
30558@smallexample
30559 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
30560@end smallexample
30561
30562Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
30563If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
30564the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
30565
30566@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30567
30568The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
30569
30570@subsubheading Example
30571
30572@smallexample
30573(gdb)
30574-target-detach
30575^done
30576(gdb)
30577@end smallexample
30578
30579
30580@subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
30581@findex -target-disconnect
30582
30583@subsubheading Synopsis
30584
30585@smallexample
30586 -target-disconnect
30587@end smallexample
30588
30589Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
30590generally not resumed.
30591
30592@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30593
30594The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
30595
30596@subsubheading Example
30597
30598@smallexample
30599(gdb)
30600-target-disconnect
30601^done
30602(gdb)
30603@end smallexample
30604
30605
30606@subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
30607@findex -target-download
30608
30609@subsubheading Synopsis
30610
30611@smallexample
30612 -target-download
30613@end smallexample
30614
30615Loads the executable onto the remote target.
30616It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
30617
30618@table @samp
30619@item section
30620The name of the section.
30621@item section-sent
30622The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
30623@item section-size
30624The size of the section.
30625@item total-sent
30626The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
30627@item total-size
30628The size of the overall executable to download.
30629@end table
30630
30631@noindent
30632Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
30633@sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
30634
30635In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
30636downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
30637
30638@table @samp
30639@item section
30640The name of the section.
30641@item section-size
30642The size of the section.
30643@item total-size
30644The size of the overall executable to download.
30645@end table
30646
30647@noindent
30648At the end, a summary is printed.
30649
30650@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30651
30652The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
30653
30654@subsubheading Example
30655
30656Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
30657have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
30658
30659@smallexample
30660(gdb)
30661-target-download
30662+download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
30663+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
30664total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
30665+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
30666total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
30667+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
30668total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
30669+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
30670total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
30671+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
30672total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
30673+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
30674total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
30675+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
30676total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
30677+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
30678total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
30679+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
30680total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
30681+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
30682total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
30683+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
30684total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
30685+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
30686total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
30687+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
30688total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
30689+download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
30690+download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
30691+download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
30692+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
30693total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
30694+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
30695total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
30696+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
30697total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
30698+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
30699total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
30700+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
30701total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
30702+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
30703total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
30704^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
30705write-rate="429"
30706(gdb)
30707@end smallexample
30708
30709
30710@ignore
30711@subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
30712@findex -target-exec-status
30713
30714@subsubheading Synopsis
30715
30716@smallexample
30717 -target-exec-status
30718@end smallexample
30719
30720Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
30721not, for instance).
30722
30723@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30724
30725There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
30726
30727@subsubheading Example
30728N.A.
30729
30730
30731@subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
30732@findex -target-list-available-targets
30733
30734@subsubheading Synopsis
30735
30736@smallexample
30737 -target-list-available-targets
30738@end smallexample
30739
30740List the possible targets to connect to.
30741
30742@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30743
30744The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
30745
30746@subsubheading Example
30747N.A.
30748
30749
30750@subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
30751@findex -target-list-current-targets
30752
30753@subsubheading Synopsis
30754
30755@smallexample
30756 -target-list-current-targets
30757@end smallexample
30758
30759Describe the current target.
30760
30761@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30762
30763The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
30764other things).
30765
30766@subsubheading Example
30767N.A.
30768
30769
30770@subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
30771@findex -target-list-parameters
30772
30773@subsubheading Synopsis
30774
30775@smallexample
30776 -target-list-parameters
30777@end smallexample
30778
30779@c ????
30780@end ignore
30781
30782@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30783
30784No equivalent.
30785
30786@subsubheading Example
30787N.A.
30788
30789
30790@subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
30791@findex -target-select
30792
30793@subsubheading Synopsis
30794
30795@smallexample
30796 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
30797@end smallexample
30798
30799Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
30800
30801@table @samp
30802@item @var{type}
30803The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
30804@item @var{parameters}
30805Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
30806Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
30807@end table
30808
30809The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
30810which the target program is, in the following form:
30811
30812@smallexample
30813^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
30814 args=[@var{arg list}]
30815@end smallexample
30816
30817@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30818
30819The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
30820
30821@subsubheading Example
30822
30823@smallexample
30824(gdb)
30825-target-select remote /dev/ttya
30826^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
30827(gdb)
30828@end smallexample
30829
30830@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30831@node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
30832@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
30833
30834
30835@subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
30836@findex -target-file-put
30837
30838@subsubheading Synopsis
30839
30840@smallexample
30841 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
30842@end smallexample
30843
30844Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
30845@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
30846
30847@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30848
30849The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
30850
30851@subsubheading Example
30852
30853@smallexample
30854(gdb)
30855-target-file-put localfile remotefile
30856^done
30857(gdb)
30858@end smallexample
30859
30860
30861@subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
30862@findex -target-file-get
30863
30864@subsubheading Synopsis
30865
30866@smallexample
30867 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
30868@end smallexample
30869
30870Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
30871on the host system.
30872
30873@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30874
30875The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
30876
30877@subsubheading Example
30878
30879@smallexample
30880(gdb)
30881-target-file-get remotefile localfile
30882^done
30883(gdb)
30884@end smallexample
30885
30886
30887@subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
30888@findex -target-file-delete
30889
30890@subsubheading Synopsis
30891
30892@smallexample
30893 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
30894@end smallexample
30895
30896Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
30897
30898@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30899
30900The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
30901
30902@subsubheading Example
30903
30904@smallexample
30905(gdb)
30906-target-file-delete remotefile
30907^done
30908(gdb)
30909@end smallexample
30910
30911
30912@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30913@node GDB/MI Ada Exceptions Commands
30914@section Ada Exceptions @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
30915
30916@subheading The @code{-info-ada-exceptions} Command
30917@findex -info-ada-exceptions
30918
30919@subsubheading Synopsis
30920
30921@smallexample
30922 -info-ada-exceptions [ @var{regexp}]
30923@end smallexample
30924
30925List all Ada exceptions defined within the program being debugged.
30926With a regular expression @var{regexp}, only those exceptions whose
30927names match @var{regexp} are listed.
30928
30929@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30930
30931The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info exceptions}.
30932
30933@subsubheading Result
30934
30935The result is a table of Ada exceptions. The following columns are
30936defined for each exception:
30937
30938@table @samp
30939@item name
30940The name of the exception.
30941
30942@item address
30943The address of the exception.
30944
30945@end table
30946
30947@subsubheading Example
30948
30949@smallexample
30950-info-ada-exceptions aint
30951^done,ada-exceptions=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="2",
30952hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
30953@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="address",colhdr="Address"@}],
30954body=[@{name="constraint_error",address="0x0000000000613da0"@},
30955@{name="const.aint_global_e",address="0x0000000000613b00"@}]@}
30956@end smallexample
30957
30958@subheading Catching Ada Exceptions
30959
30960The commands describing how to ask @value{GDBN} to stop when a program
30961raises an exception are described at @ref{Ada Exception GDB/MI
30962Catchpoint Commands}.
30963
30964
30965@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30966@node GDB/MI Support Commands
30967@section @sc{gdb/mi} Support Commands
30968
30969Since new commands and features get regularly added to @sc{gdb/mi},
30970some commands are available to help front-ends query the debugger
30971about support for these capabilities. Similarly, it is also possible
30972to query @value{GDBN} about target support of certain features.
30973
30974@subheading The @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} Command
30975@cindex @code{-info-gdb-mi-command}
30976@findex -info-gdb-mi-command
30977
30978@subsubheading Synopsis
30979
30980@smallexample
30981 -info-gdb-mi-command @var{cmd_name}
30982@end smallexample
30983
30984Query support for the @sc{gdb/mi} command named @var{cmd_name}.
30985
30986Note that the dash (@code{-}) starting all @sc{gdb/mi} commands
30987is technically not part of the command name (@pxref{GDB/MI Input
30988Syntax}), and thus should be omitted in @var{cmd_name}. However,
30989for ease of use, this command also accepts the form with the leading
30990dash.
30991
30992@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30993
30994There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
30995
30996@subsubheading Result
30997
30998The result is a tuple. There is currently only one field:
30999
31000@table @samp
31001@item exists
31002This field is equal to @code{"true"} if the @sc{gdb/mi} command exists,
31003@code{"false"} otherwise.
31004
31005@end table
31006
31007@subsubheading Example
31008
31009Here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command does not exist:
31010
31011@smallexample
31012-info-gdb-mi-command unsupported-command
31013^done,command=@{exists="false"@}
31014@end smallexample
31015
31016@noindent
31017And here is an example where the @sc{gdb/mi} command is known
31018to the debugger:
31019
31020@smallexample
31021-info-gdb-mi-command symbol-list-lines
31022^done,command=@{exists="true"@}
31023@end smallexample
31024
31025@subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
31026@findex -list-features
31027@cindex supported @sc{gdb/mi} features, list
31028
31029Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
31030this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
31031or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
31032important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
31033of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
31034startup.
31035
31036The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
31037available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
31038have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
31039is given below.
31040
31041Example output:
31042
31043@smallexample
31044(gdb) -list-features
31045^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
31046@end smallexample
31047
31048The current list of features is:
31049
31050@ftable @samp
31051@item frozen-varobjs
31052Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
31053as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
31054of @code{-varobj-create}.
31055@item pending-breakpoints
31056Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
31057command.
31058@item python
31059Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
31060pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
31061@samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
31062@item thread-info
31063Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
31064@item data-read-memory-bytes
31065Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
31066@code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
31067@item breakpoint-notifications
31068Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
31069CLI will be announced via async records.
31070@item ada-task-info
31071Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
31072@item language-option
31073Indicates that all @sc{gdb/mi} commands accept the @option{--language}
31074option (@pxref{Context management}).
31075@item info-gdb-mi-command
31076Indicates support for the @code{-info-gdb-mi-command} command.
31077@item undefined-command-error-code
31078Indicates support for the "undefined-command" error code in error result
31079records, produced when trying to execute an undefined @sc{gdb/mi} command
31080(@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}).
31081@item exec-run-start-option
31082Indicates that the @code{-exec-run} command supports the @option{--start}
31083option (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}).
31084@end ftable
31085
31086@subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
31087@findex -list-target-features
31088
31089Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
31090target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
31091unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
31092features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
31093a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
31094@code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
31095may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
31096Example output:
31097
31098@smallexample
31099(gdb) -list-target-features
31100^done,result=["async"]
31101@end smallexample
31102
31103The current list of features is:
31104
31105@table @samp
31106@item async
31107Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
31108execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
31109while the target is running.
31110
31111@item reverse
31112Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
31113@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31114
31115@end table
31116
31117@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31118@node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
31119@section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
31120
31121@c @subheading -gdb-complete
31122
31123@subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
31124@findex -gdb-exit
31125
31126@subsubheading Synopsis
31127
31128@smallexample
31129 -gdb-exit
31130@end smallexample
31131
31132Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
31133
31134@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31135
31136Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
31137
31138@subsubheading Example
31139
31140@smallexample
31141(gdb)
31142-gdb-exit
31143^exit
31144@end smallexample
31145
31146
31147@ignore
31148@subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
31149@findex -exec-abort
31150
31151@subsubheading Synopsis
31152
31153@smallexample
31154 -exec-abort
31155@end smallexample
31156
31157Kill the inferior running program.
31158
31159@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31160
31161The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
31162
31163@subsubheading Example
31164N.A.
31165@end ignore
31166
31167
31168@subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
31169@findex -gdb-set
31170
31171@subsubheading Synopsis
31172
31173@smallexample
31174 -gdb-set
31175@end smallexample
31176
31177Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
31178@c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
31179
31180@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31181
31182The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
31183
31184@subsubheading Example
31185
31186@smallexample
31187(gdb)
31188-gdb-set $foo=3
31189^done
31190(gdb)
31191@end smallexample
31192
31193
31194@subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
31195@findex -gdb-show
31196
31197@subsubheading Synopsis
31198
31199@smallexample
31200 -gdb-show
31201@end smallexample
31202
31203Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
31204
31205@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31206
31207The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
31208
31209@subsubheading Example
31210
31211@smallexample
31212(gdb)
31213-gdb-show annotate
31214^done,value="0"
31215(gdb)
31216@end smallexample
31217
31218@c @subheading -gdb-source
31219
31220
31221@subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
31222@findex -gdb-version
31223
31224@subsubheading Synopsis
31225
31226@smallexample
31227 -gdb-version
31228@end smallexample
31229
31230Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
31231
31232@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31233
31234The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
31235default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
31236
31237@subsubheading Example
31238
31239@c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
31240@c box in TeX.
31241@smallexample
31242(gdb)
31243-gdb-version
31244~GNU gdb 5.2.1
31245~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31246~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
31247~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
31248~ certain conditions.
31249~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31250~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
31251~ details.
31252~This GDB was configured as
31253 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
31254^done
31255(gdb)
31256@end smallexample
31257
31258@subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
31259@findex -list-thread-groups
31260
31261@subheading Synopsis
31262
31263@smallexample
31264-list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
31265@end smallexample
31266
31267Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
31268group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
31269When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
31270thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
31271top-level thread groups.
31272
31273Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
31274With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
31275available on the target.
31276
31277The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
31278a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
31279as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
31280Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
31281each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
31282requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
31283are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
31284of the @samp{group} result is described below.
31285
31286To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
31287together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
31288and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
31289permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
31290will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
31291@samp{threads} field.
31292
31293In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
31294the following caveats:
31295
31296@itemize @bullet
31297@item
31298When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
31299be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
31300anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
31301
31302@item
31303When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
31304be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
31305be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
31306not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
31307The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
31308is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
31309
31310@end itemize
31311
31312The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
31313have the following fields:
31314
31315@table @code
31316@item id
31317Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
31318The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
31319convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
31320
31321@item type
31322The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
31323valid type.
31324
31325@item pid
31326The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
31327for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
31328
31329@item num_children
31330The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
31331absent for an available thread group.
31332
31333@item threads
31334This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
31335thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
31336specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
31337
31338@item cores
31339This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
31340thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
31341such information is not available.
31342
31343@item executable
31344The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
31345The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
31346and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
31347
31348@end table
31349
31350@subheading Example
31351
31352@smallexample
31353@value{GDBP}
31354-list-thread-groups
31355^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
31356-list-thread-groups 17
31357^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
31358 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
31359@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
31360 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
31361 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
31362-list-thread-groups --available
31363^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
31364-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
31365 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31366 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31367 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
31368-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
31369^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
31370 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
31371 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
31372@end smallexample
31373
31374@subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
31375@findex -info-os
31376
31377@subsubheading Synopsis
31378
31379@smallexample
31380-info-os [ @var{type} ]
31381@end smallexample
31382
31383If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
31384operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
31385supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
31386of data of that type.
31387
31388The types of information available depend on the target operating
31389system.
31390
31391@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31392
31393The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
31394
31395@subsubheading Example
31396
31397When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
31398like this:
31399
31400@smallexample
31401@value{GDBP}
31402-info-os
31403^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
31404hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
31405 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
31406 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
31407body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
31408 col2="Processes"@},
31409 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
31410 col2="Process groups"@},
31411 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
31412 col2="Threads"@},
31413 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
31414 col2="File descriptors"@},
31415 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
31416 col2="Sockets"@},
31417 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
31418 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
31419 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
31420 col2="Semaphores"@},
31421 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
31422 col2="Message queues"@},
31423 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
31424 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
31425@value{GDBP}
31426-info-os processes
31427^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
31428hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
31429 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
31430 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
31431 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
31432body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
31433 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
31434 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
31435 ...
31436 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
31437 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
31438(gdb)
31439@end smallexample
31440
31441(Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
31442does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
31443for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
31444popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
31445@code{info os} omits it.)
31446
31447@subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
31448@findex -add-inferior
31449
31450@subheading Synopsis
31451
31452@smallexample
31453-add-inferior
31454@end smallexample
31455
31456Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
31457inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
31458be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
31459(@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
31460field, @samp{inferior}, whose value is the identifier of the
31461thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
31462
31463@subheading Example
31464
31465@smallexample
31466@value{GDBP}
31467-add-inferior
31468^done,inferior="i3"
31469@end smallexample
31470
31471@subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
31472@findex -interpreter-exec
31473
31474@subheading Synopsis
31475
31476@smallexample
31477-interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
31478@end smallexample
31479@anchor{-interpreter-exec}
31480
31481Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
31482
31483@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31484
31485The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
31486
31487@subheading Example
31488
31489@smallexample
31490(gdb)
31491-interpreter-exec console "break main"
31492&"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
31493&"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
31494~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
31495^done
31496(gdb)
31497@end smallexample
31498
31499@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
31500@findex -inferior-tty-set
31501
31502@subheading Synopsis
31503
31504@smallexample
31505-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31506@end smallexample
31507
31508Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
31509
31510@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31511
31512The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
31513
31514@subheading Example
31515
31516@smallexample
31517(gdb)
31518-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31519^done
31520(gdb)
31521@end smallexample
31522
31523@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
31524@findex -inferior-tty-show
31525
31526@subheading Synopsis
31527
31528@smallexample
31529-inferior-tty-show
31530@end smallexample
31531
31532Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
31533
31534@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31535
31536The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
31537
31538@subheading Example
31539
31540@smallexample
31541(gdb)
31542-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
31543^done
31544(gdb)
31545-inferior-tty-show
31546^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
31547(gdb)
31548@end smallexample
31549
31550@subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
31551@findex -enable-timings
31552
31553@subheading Synopsis
31554
31555@smallexample
31556-enable-timings [yes | no]
31557@end smallexample
31558
31559Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
31560command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
31561developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
31562equivalent to @samp{yes}.
31563
31564@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
31565
31566No equivalent.
31567
31568@subheading Example
31569
31570@smallexample
31571(gdb)
31572-enable-timings
31573^done
31574(gdb)
31575-break-insert main
31576^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
31577addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
31578fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
31579times="0"@},
31580time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
31581(gdb)
31582-enable-timings no
31583^done
31584(gdb)
31585-exec-run
31586^running
31587(gdb)
31588*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
31589frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
31590@{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
31591fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
31592(gdb)
31593@end smallexample
31594
31595@node Annotations
31596@chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
31597
31598This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
31599designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
31600similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
31601relatively high level.
31602
31603The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
31604(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
31605
31606@ignore
31607This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
31608@end ignore
31609
31610@menu
31611* Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
31612* Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
31613* Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
31614* Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
31615* Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
31616* Annotations for Running::
31617 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
31618* Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
31619@end menu
31620
31621@node Annotations Overview
31622@section What is an Annotation?
31623@cindex annotations
31624
31625Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
31626characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
31627information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
31628is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
31629information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
31630additional information, and a newline. The additional information
31631cannot contain newline characters.
31632
31633Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
31634characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
31635no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
31636@samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
31637annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
31638means those three characters as output.
31639
31640The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
31641@option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
31642how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
31643values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
31644is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
31645subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
31646for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
31647been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
31648Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
31649
31650@table @code
31651@kindex set annotate
31652@item set annotate @var{level}
31653The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
31654annotations to the specified @var{level}.
31655
31656@item show annotate
31657@kindex show annotate
31658Show the current annotation level.
31659@end table
31660
31661This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
31662
31663A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
31664
31665@smallexample
31666$ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
31667GNU gdb 6.0
31668Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
31669GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
31670and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
31671under certain conditions.
31672Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
31673There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
31674for details.
31675This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
31676
31677^Z^Zpre-prompt
31678(@value{GDBP})
31679^Z^Zprompt
31680@kbd{quit}
31681
31682^Z^Zpost-prompt
31683$
31684@end smallexample
31685
31686Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
31687@value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
31688denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
31689output from @value{GDBN}.
31690
31691@node Server Prefix
31692@section The Server Prefix
31693@cindex server prefix
31694
31695If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
31696the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
31697command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
31698means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
31699a transparent manner.
31700
31701The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
31702the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
31703value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
31704@code{print} command.
31705
31706Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
31707(@pxref{confirmation requests}).
31708
31709@node Prompting
31710@section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
31711
31712@cindex annotations for prompts
31713When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
31714to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
31715over, etc.
31716
31717Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
31718input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
31719denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
31720annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
31721annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
31722associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
31723features the following annotations:
31724
31725@smallexample
31726^Z^Zpre-prompt
31727^Z^Zprompt
31728^Z^Zpost-prompt
31729@end smallexample
31730
31731The input types are
31732
31733@table @code
31734@findex pre-prompt annotation
31735@findex prompt annotation
31736@findex post-prompt annotation
31737@item prompt
31738When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
31739
31740@findex pre-commands annotation
31741@findex commands annotation
31742@findex post-commands annotation
31743@item commands
31744When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
31745command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
31746
31747@findex pre-overload-choice annotation
31748@findex overload-choice annotation
31749@findex post-overload-choice annotation
31750@item overload-choice
31751When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
31752
31753@findex pre-query annotation
31754@findex query annotation
31755@findex post-query annotation
31756@item query
31757When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
31758
31759@findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
31760@findex prompt-for-continue annotation
31761@findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
31762@item prompt-for-continue
31763When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
31764expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
31765prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
31766presence of annotations.
31767@end table
31768
31769@node Errors
31770@section Errors
31771@cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
31772
31773@findex quit annotation
31774@smallexample
31775^Z^Zquit
31776@end smallexample
31777
31778This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
31779
31780@findex error annotation
31781@smallexample
31782^Z^Zerror
31783@end smallexample
31784
31785This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
31786
31787Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
31788in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
31789@code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
31790cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
31791cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
31792does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
31793to the top level.
31794
31795@findex error-begin annotation
31796A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
31797
31798@smallexample
31799^Z^Zerror-begin
31800@end smallexample
31801
31802Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
31803message.
31804
31805Warning messages are not yet annotated.
31806@c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
31807@c range_error(), and possibly other places.
31808
31809@node Invalidation
31810@section Invalidation Notices
31811
31812@cindex annotations for invalidation messages
31813The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
31814changed.
31815
31816@table @code
31817@findex frames-invalid annotation
31818@item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
31819
31820The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
31821have changed.
31822
31823@findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
31824@item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
31825
31826The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
31827deleted a breakpoint.
31828@end table
31829
31830@node Annotations for Running
31831@section Running the Program
31832@cindex annotations for running programs
31833
31834@findex starting annotation
31835@findex stopping annotation
31836When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
31837@code{step} or @code{continue},
31838
31839@smallexample
31840^Z^Zstarting
31841@end smallexample
31842
31843is output. When the program stops,
31844
31845@smallexample
31846^Z^Zstopped
31847@end smallexample
31848
31849is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
31850annotations describe how the program stopped.
31851
31852@table @code
31853@findex exited annotation
31854@item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
31855The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
31856successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
31857
31858@findex signalled annotation
31859@findex signal-name annotation
31860@findex signal-name-end annotation
31861@findex signal-string annotation
31862@findex signal-string-end annotation
31863@item ^Z^Zsignalled
31864The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
31865annotation continues:
31866
31867@smallexample
31868@var{intro-text}
31869^Z^Zsignal-name
31870@var{name}
31871^Z^Zsignal-name-end
31872@var{middle-text}
31873^Z^Zsignal-string
31874@var{string}
31875^Z^Zsignal-string-end
31876@var{end-text}
31877@end smallexample
31878
31879@noindent
31880where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
31881@code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
31882as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}. The arguments
31883@var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
31884user's benefit and have no particular format.
31885
31886@findex signal annotation
31887@item ^Z^Zsignal
31888The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
31889just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
31890terminated with it.
31891
31892@findex breakpoint annotation
31893@item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
31894The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
31895
31896@findex watchpoint annotation
31897@item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
31898The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
31899@end table
31900
31901@node Source Annotations
31902@section Displaying Source
31903@cindex annotations for source display
31904
31905@findex source annotation
31906The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
31907
31908@smallexample
31909^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
31910@end smallexample
31911
31912where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
31913file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
31914first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
31915within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
31916debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
31917@var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
31918line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
31919@var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
31920source which is being displayed. The @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
31921followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
31922depend on the language).
31923
31924@node JIT Interface
31925@chapter JIT Compilation Interface
31926@cindex just-in-time compilation
31927@cindex JIT compilation interface
31928
31929This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
31930interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
31931executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
31932performance while maintaining platform independence.
31933
31934Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
31935portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
31936object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
31937and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
31938@value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
31939symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
31940
31941If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
31942it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
31943you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
31944of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
31945LLVM JIT.
31946
31947Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
31948JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
31949variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
31950attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
31951find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
31952out about additional code.
31953
31954@menu
31955* Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
31956* Registering Code:: Steps to register code
31957* Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
31958* Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
31959@end menu
31960
31961@node Declarations
31962@section JIT Declarations
31963
31964These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
31965implement the interface:
31966
31967@smallexample
31968typedef enum
31969@{
31970 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
31971 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
31972 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
31973@} jit_actions_t;
31974
31975struct jit_code_entry
31976@{
31977 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
31978 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
31979 const char *symfile_addr;
31980 uint64_t symfile_size;
31981@};
31982
31983struct jit_descriptor
31984@{
31985 uint32_t version;
31986 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
31987 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
31988 uint32_t action_flag;
31989 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
31990 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
31991@};
31992
31993/* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
31994void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
31995
31996/* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
31997 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
31998struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
31999@end smallexample
32000
32001If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
32002modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
32003a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
32004
32005@node Registering Code
32006@section Registering Code
32007
32008To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
32009
32010@itemize @bullet
32011@item
32012Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
32013information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
32014
32015@item
32016Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
32017file.
32018
32019@item
32020Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
32021
32022@item
32023Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
32024
32025@item
32026Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
32027@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32028@end itemize
32029
32030When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
32031@code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
32032new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
32033@value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
32034
32035@node Unregistering Code
32036@section Unregistering Code
32037
32038If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
32039
32040@itemize @bullet
32041@item
32042Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
32043
32044@item
32045Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
32046
32047@item
32048Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
32049@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
32050@end itemize
32051
32052If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
32053and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
32054
32055@node Custom Debug Info
32056@section Custom Debug Info
32057@cindex custom JIT debug info
32058@cindex JIT debug info reader
32059
32060Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
32061or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
32062debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
32063issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
32064format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
32065by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
32066such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
32067@file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
32068@file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
32069
32070The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
32071not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
32072runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
32073@code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
32074the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
32075object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
32076compiler.
32077
32078@menu
32079* Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
32080* Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
32081@end menu
32082
32083@node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32084@subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
32085@kindex jit-reader-load
32086@kindex jit-reader-unload
32087
32088Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
32089and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
32090
32091@table @code
32092@item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
32093Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}, which is a shared
32094object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
32095the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
32096pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
32097system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
32098@file{/usr/local/lib}).
32099
32100Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
32101reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
32102reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
32103the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
32104@code{jit-reader-load}.
32105
32106@item jit-reader-unload
32107Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
32108
32109@end table
32110
32111@node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32112@subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
32113@cindex writing JIT debug info readers
32114
32115As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
32116certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
32117
32118@file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
32119required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
32120@value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
32121the system include directory.
32122
32123Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
32124can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
32125@code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
32126
32127The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
32128which is expected to be a function with the prototype
32129
32130@findex gdb_init_reader
32131@smallexample
32132extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
32133@end smallexample
32134
32135@cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
32136
32137@code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
32138functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
32139generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
32140(@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
32141(@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
32142reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
32143
32144@smallexample
32145struct gdb_reader_funcs
32146@{
32147 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
32148 int reader_version;
32149
32150 /* For use by the reader. */
32151 void *priv_data;
32152
32153 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
32154 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
32155 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
32156 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
32157@};
32158@end smallexample
32159
32160@cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
32161@cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
32162
32163The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
32164@value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
32165passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
32166and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
32167@code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
32168files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
32169gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
32170frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
32171frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
32172target's address space.
32173
32174@node In-Process Agent
32175@chapter In-Process Agent
32176@cindex debugging agent
32177The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
32178because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
32179as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
32180multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
32181and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
32182example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
32183timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
32184it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
32185long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
32186If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
32187introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
32188code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
32189behavior without interrupting it.
32190
32191Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
32192some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
32193reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
32194@dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
32195process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
32196itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
32197performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
32198interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
32199because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
32200
32201The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
32202(@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
32203agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
32204data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
32205
32206@anchor{Control Agent}
32207You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
32208debugging with the following commands:
32209
32210@table @code
32211@kindex set agent on
32212@item set agent on
32213Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
32214debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
32215by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
32216if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
32217and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
32218conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
32219
32220@kindex set agent off
32221@item set agent off
32222Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
32223of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
32224
32225@kindex show agent
32226@item show agent
32227Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
32228the in-process agent.
32229@end table
32230
32231@menu
32232* In-Process Agent Protocol::
32233@end menu
32234
32235@node In-Process Agent Protocol
32236@section In-Process Agent Protocol
32237@cindex in-process agent protocol
32238
32239The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
32240GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
32241used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
32242In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
32243(@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
32244in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
32245some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
32246of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
32247types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
32248
32249@menu
32250* IPA Protocol Objects::
32251* IPA Protocol Commands::
32252@end menu
32253
32254@node IPA Protocol Objects
32255@subsection IPA Protocol Objects
32256@cindex ipa protocol objects
32257
32258The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
32259complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
32260
32261The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
32262or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
32263two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
32264However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
32265
32266@enumerate
32267@item
32268word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
32269compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
32270@item
32271ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
32272GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
32273the other one.
32274@end enumerate
32275
32276Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
32277
32278@enumerate
32279@item
32280agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
32281(@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
32282@anchor{agent expression object}
32283@item
32284tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
32285(@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
32286memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
32287@anchor{tracepoint action object}
32288@item
32289tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
32290@anchor{tracepoint object}
32291
32292@end enumerate
32293
32294The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
32295object:
32296
32297@multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
32298@headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
32299@item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
32300@item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
32301@item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
32302@item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
32303@item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32304@item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
32305address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
32306of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
32307@item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
32308@item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
32309memory address for collecting.
32310@item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
32311@item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32312@item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
32313@item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32314@item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
32315@item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
32316@item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
32317@item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
32318@item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
32319@item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
32320@item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
32321@item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
32322@item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
32323@item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
32324@item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
32325@item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
32326@item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
32327@item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
32328@item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
32329@item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
32330@ref{agent expression object}
32331@tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
32332@ref{agent expression object}
32333@item actions @tab variable
32334@tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
32335@end multitable
32336
32337@node IPA Protocol Commands
32338@subsection IPA Protocol Commands
32339@cindex ipa protocol commands
32340
32341The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
32342specification. They don't exist in real commands.
32343
32344@table @samp
32345
32346@item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
32347Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
32348(@pxref{tracepoint object}). The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
32349head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
32350in IPA finally.
32351
32352Replies:
32353@table @samp
32354@item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
32355@var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
32356The @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
32357@var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
32358The @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
32359The @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
32360@item E @var{NN}
32361for an error
32362
32363@end table
32364
32365@item close
32366Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
32367is about to kill inferiors.
32368
32369@item qTfSTM
32370@xref{qTfSTM}.
32371@item qTsSTM
32372@xref{qTsSTM}.
32373@item qTSTMat
32374@xref{qTSTMat}.
32375@item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
32376Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
32377
32378Replies:
32379@table @samp
32380@item E @var{NN}
32381for an error
32382@end table
32383@item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
32384Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
32385@end table
32386
32387@node GDB Bugs
32388@chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
32389@cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
32390@cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
32391
32392Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
32393
32394Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
32395may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
32396the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
32397reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
32398
32399In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
32400information that enables us to fix the bug.
32401
32402@menu
32403* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
32404* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
32405@end menu
32406
32407@node Bug Criteria
32408@section Have You Found a Bug?
32409@cindex bug criteria
32410
32411If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
32412
32413@itemize @bullet
32414@cindex fatal signal
32415@cindex debugger crash
32416@cindex crash of debugger
32417@item
32418If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
32419@value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
32420
32421@cindex error on valid input
32422@item
32423If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
32424bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
32425somewhere in the connection to the target.)
32426
32427@cindex invalid input
32428@item
32429If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
32430that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
32431``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
32432for traditional practice''.
32433
32434@item
32435If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
32436for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
32437@end itemize
32438
32439@node Bug Reporting
32440@section How to Report Bugs
32441@cindex bug reports
32442@cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
32443
32444A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
32445If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
32446contact that organization first.
32447
32448You can find contact information for many support companies and
32449individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
32450distribution.
32451@c should add a web page ref...
32452
32453@ifset BUGURL
32454@ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
32455In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
32456@value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
32457@uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
32458page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
32459be used.
32460
32461@strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
32462@samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
32463not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
32464@samp{bug-gdb}.
32465
32466The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
32467serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
32468the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
32469newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
32470problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
32471path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
32472we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
32473bug reports to the mailing list.
32474@end ifset
32475@ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
32476In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
32477@value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
32478@end ifclear
32479@end ifset
32480
32481The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
32482@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
32483fact or leave it out, state it!
32484
32485Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
32486problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
32487assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
32488Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
32489stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
32490name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
32491of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
32492the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
32493easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
32494
32495Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
32496bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
32497you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
32498self-contained.
32499
32500Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
32501bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
32502@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
32503bugs properly.
32504
32505To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
32506
32507@itemize @bullet
32508@item
32509The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
32510with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
32511version}.
32512
32513Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
32514the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
32515
32516@item
32517The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
32518version number.
32519
32520@item
32521The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
32522@value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
32523@option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
32524@code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
32525
32526@item
32527What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
32528``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
32529
32530@item
32531What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
32532debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
32533C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
32534to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
32535those compilers.
32536
32537@item
32538The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
32539observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
32540you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
32541Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
32542
32543If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
32544and then we might not encounter the bug.
32545
32546@item
32547A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
32548reproduce the bug.
32549
32550@item
32551A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
32552incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
32553
32554Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
32555will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
32556not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
32557a chance to make a mistake.
32558
32559Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
32560say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
32561copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
32562the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
32563crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
32564ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
32565us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
32566to draw any conclusion from our observations.
32567
32568@pindex script
32569@cindex recording a session script
32570To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
32571such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
32572Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
32573include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
32574
32575Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
32576inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
32577
32578@item
32579If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
32580diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
32581it by context, not by line number.
32582
32583The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
32584sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
32585
32586@end itemize
32587
32588Here are some things that are not necessary:
32589
32590@itemize @bullet
32591@item
32592A description of the envelope of the bug.
32593
32594Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
32595which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
32596changes will not affect it.
32597
32598This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
32599will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
32600with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
32601We recommend that you save your time for something else.
32602
32603Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
32604of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
32605output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
32606less time, and so on.
32607
32608However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
32609report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
32610
32611@item
32612A patch for the bug.
32613
32614A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
32615the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
32616a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
32617to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
32618
32619Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
32620construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
32621through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
32622to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
32623
32624And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
32625patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
32626help us to understand.
32627
32628@item
32629A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
32630
32631Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
32632things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
32633@end itemize
32634
32635@c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
32636@c and consists of the two following files:
32637@c rluser.texi
32638@c hsuser.texi
32639@c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
32640@c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
32641@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
32642@include rluser.texi
32643@include hsuser.texi
32644@end ifclear
32645
32646@node In Memoriam
32647@appendix In Memoriam
32648
32649The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
32650contributors:
32651
32652@table @code
32653@item Fred Fish
32654Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
32655to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
32656the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
32657
32658@item Michael Snyder
32659Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
32660with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
32661to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
32662adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
32663@end table
32664
32665Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
32666enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
32667
32668@node Formatting Documentation
32669@appendix Formatting Documentation
32670
32671@cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
32672@cindex reference card
32673The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
32674for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
32675subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
32676@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
32677release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
32678you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
32679
32680The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
32681can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
32682
32683@smallexample
32684make refcard.dvi
32685@end smallexample
32686
32687The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
32688mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
32689that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
32690high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
32691your @sc{dvi} output program.
32692
32693@cindex documentation
32694
32695All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
32696distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
32697a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
32698on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
32699formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
32700and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
32701
32702@value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
32703version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
32704file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
32705subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
32706necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
32707but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
32708Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
32709@sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
32710
32711If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
32712Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
32713@code{makeinfo}.
32714
32715If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
32716@value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
32717version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
32718
32719@smallexample
32720cd gdb
32721make gdb.info
32722@end smallexample
32723
32724If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
32725a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
32726Texinfo definitions file.
32727
32728@TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
32729produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
32730document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
32731has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
32732command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
32733(for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
32734require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
32735
32736@TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
32737@file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
32738written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
32739typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
32740and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
32741directory.
32742
32743If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
32744typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
32745subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
32746@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
32747
32748@smallexample
32749make gdb.dvi
32750@end smallexample
32751
32752Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
32753
32754@node Installing GDB
32755@appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
32756@cindex installation
32757
32758@menu
32759* Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
32760* Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
32761* Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
32762* Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
32763* Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
32764* System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
32765@end menu
32766
32767@node Requirements
32768@section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
32769@cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
32770
32771Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
32772Other packages will be used only if they are found.
32773
32774@heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
32775@table @asis
32776@item ISO C90 compiler
32777@value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
32778working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
32779
32780@end table
32781
32782@heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
32783@table @asis
32784@item Expat
32785@anchor{Expat}
32786@value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
32787included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
32788can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
32789The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
32790standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
32791use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
32792
32793Expat is used for:
32794
32795@itemize @bullet
32796@item
32797Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
32798@item
32799Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
32800@item
32801Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
32802or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
32803@item
32804MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
32805@item
32806Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
32807@item
32808Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
32809@end itemize
32810
32811@item zlib
32812@cindex compressed debug sections
32813@value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
32814compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
32815of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
32816is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
32817information in such binaries.
32818
32819The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
32820distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
32821@url{http://zlib.net}.
32822
32823@item iconv
32824@value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
32825Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
32826on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
32827other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
32828
32829If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
32830in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
32831This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
32832directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
32833
32834On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
32835have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
32836@option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
32837
32838@value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
32839arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
32840in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
32841if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
32842implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
32843by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
32844Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
32845Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
32846@end table
32847
32848@node Running Configure
32849@section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
32850@cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
32851@value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
32852of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
32853build the @code{gdb} program.
32854@iftex
32855@c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
32856@footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
32857look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
32858installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
32859@end iftex
32860
32861The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
32862@value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
32863appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
32864
32865For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
32866@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
32867
32868@table @code
32869@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
32870script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
32871
32872@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
32873the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
32874
32875@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
32876source for the Binary File Descriptor library
32877
32878@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
32879@sc{gnu} include files
32880
32881@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
32882source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
32883
32884@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
32885source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
32886
32887@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
32888source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
32889
32890@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
32891source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
32892
32893@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
32894source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
32895@end table
32896
32897The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
32898from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
32899this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
32900
32901First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
32902if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
32903identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
32904argument.
32905
32906For example:
32907
32908@smallexample
32909cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
32910./configure @var{host}
32911make
32912@end smallexample
32913
32914@noindent
32915where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
32916@samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
32917(You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
32918correct value by examining your system.)
32919
32920Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
32921@file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
32922libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
32923binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
32924
32925@need 750
32926@file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
32927system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
32928shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
32929
32930@smallexample
32931sh configure @var{host}
32932@end smallexample
32933
32934If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
32935directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
32936@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
32937@file{configure}
32938creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
32939you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
32940
32941You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
32942source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
32943@file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
32944that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
32945if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
32946of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
32947configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
32948directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
32949about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
32950
32951You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
32952However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
32953the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
32954that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
32955let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
32956
32957@node Separate Objdir
32958@section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
32959
32960If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
32961you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
32962host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
32963allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
32964rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
32965handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
32966@code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
32967program specified there.
32968
32969To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
32970with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
32971(You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
32972itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
32973would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
32974the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
32975
32976For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
32977separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
32978
32979@smallexample
32980@group
32981cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
32982mkdir ../gdb-sun4
32983cd ../gdb-sun4
32984../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
32985make
32986@end group
32987@end smallexample
32988
32989When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
32990directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
32991(and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
32992the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
32993directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
32994@file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
32995
32996Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
32997instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
32998like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
32999one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
33000build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
33001
33002One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
33003directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
33004@value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
33005programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
33006You specify a cross-debugging target by
33007giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
33008
33009When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
33010it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
33011called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
33012
33013The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
33014directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
33015directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
33016directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
33017will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
33018
33019When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
33020directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
33021if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
33022with each other.
33023
33024@node Config Names
33025@section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
33026
33027The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
33028script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
33029aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
33030of information in the following pattern:
33031
33032@smallexample
33033@var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
33034@end smallexample
33035
33036For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
33037or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
33038option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
33039
33040The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
33041any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
33042aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
33043@code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
33044script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
33045abbreviations---for example:
33046
33047@smallexample
33048% sh config.sub i386-linux
33049i386-pc-linux-gnu
33050% sh config.sub alpha-linux
33051alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
33052% sh config.sub hp9k700
33053hppa1.1-hp-hpux
33054% sh config.sub sun4
33055sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
33056% sh config.sub sun3
33057m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
33058% sh config.sub i986v
33059Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
33060@end smallexample
33061
33062@noindent
33063@code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
33064directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
33065
33066@node Configure Options
33067@section @file{configure} Options
33068
33069Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
33070are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
33071several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
33072Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
33073
33074@smallexample
33075configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
33076 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33077 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
33078 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
33079 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
33080 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
33081 @var{host}
33082@end smallexample
33083
33084@noindent
33085You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
33086@samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
33087@samp{--}.
33088
33089@table @code
33090@item --help
33091Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
33092
33093@item --prefix=@var{dir}
33094Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
33095@file{@var{dir}}.
33096
33097@item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
33098Configure the source to install programs under directory
33099@file{@var{dir}}.
33100
33101@c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
33102@need 2000
33103@item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
33104@strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
33105@code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
33106Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
33107@value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
33108build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
33109directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
33110the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
33111directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
33112the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
33113@var{dirname}.
33114
33115@item --norecursion
33116Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
33117propagate configuration to subdirectories.
33118
33119@item --target=@var{target}
33120Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
33121@var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
33122programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
33123
33124There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
33125
33126@item @var{host} @dots{}
33127Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
33128
33129There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
33130@end table
33131
33132There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
33133needed for special purposes only.
33134
33135@node System-wide configuration
33136@section System-wide configuration and settings
33137@cindex system-wide init file
33138
33139@value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
33140this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
33141@value{GDBN} does during startup}).
33142
33143Here is the corresponding configure option:
33144
33145@table @code
33146@item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
33147Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
33148@var{file}.
33149@end table
33150
33151If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
33152it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
33153
33154@itemize @bullet
33155@item
33156If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
33157it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
33158are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
33159if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
33160init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
33161@file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
33162
33163@item
33164By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
33165it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
33166@option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33167then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
33168wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
33169@end itemize
33170
33171If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
33172@option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
33173data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
33174time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
33175system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
33176@option{--data-directory} command-line option.
33177Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
33178initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
33179started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
33180reread.
33181
33182@menu
33183* System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33184@end menu
33185
33186@node System-wide Configuration Scripts
33187@subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
33188@cindex system-wide configuration scripts
33189
33190The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
33191(as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
33192a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
33193automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
33194configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
33195should be able to source them by hand as needed.
33196
33197The following scripts are currently available:
33198@itemize @bullet
33199
33200@item @file{elinos.py}
33201@pindex elinos.py
33202@cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
33203This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
33204It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
33205ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
33206shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
33207and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
33208
33209@item @file{wrs-linux.py}
33210@pindex wrs-linux.py
33211@cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
33212This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
33213Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
33214the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
33215
33216@end itemize
33217
33218@node Maintenance Commands
33219@appendix Maintenance Commands
33220@cindex maintenance commands
33221@cindex internal commands
33222
33223In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
33224includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
33225that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
33226provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
33227messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
33228
33229@table @code
33230@kindex maint agent
33231@kindex maint agent-eval
33232@item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33233@itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
33234Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
33235This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
33236(@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
33237expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
33238@samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
33239to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
33240globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
33241of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
33242the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
33243addition and return the sum.
33244If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
33245If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
33246
33247@kindex maint agent-printf
33248@item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
33249Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
33250into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
33251This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
33252printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
33253
33254@kindex maint info breakpoints
33255@item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
33256Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
33257breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
33258internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
33259breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
33260is shown:
33261
33262@table @code
33263@item breakpoint
33264Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
33265
33266@item watchpoint
33267Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
33268
33269@item longjmp
33270Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
33271@code{longjmp} calls.
33272
33273@item longjmp resume
33274Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
33275
33276@item until
33277Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
33278
33279@item finish
33280Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
33281
33282@item shlib events
33283Shared library events.
33284
33285@end table
33286
33287@kindex maint info bfds
33288@item maint info bfds
33289This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
33290@value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
33291
33292@kindex set displaced-stepping
33293@kindex show displaced-stepping
33294@cindex displaced stepping support
33295@cindex out-of-line single-stepping
33296@item set displaced-stepping
33297@itemx show displaced-stepping
33298Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
33299if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
33300over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
33301an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
33302breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
33303
33304@table @code
33305@item set displaced-stepping on
33306If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
33307displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
33308
33309@item set displaced-stepping off
33310@value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
33311even if such is supported by the target architecture.
33312
33313@cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
33314@item set displaced-stepping auto
33315This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
33316only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
33317architecture supports displaced stepping.
33318@end table
33319
33320@kindex maint check-psymtabs
33321@item maint check-psymtabs
33322Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
33323Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
33324
33325@kindex maint check-symtabs
33326@item maint check-symtabs
33327Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
33328
33329@kindex maint expand-symtabs
33330@item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
33331Expand symbol tables.
33332If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
33333names matching @var{regexp}.
33334
33335@kindex maint set catch-demangler-crashes
33336@kindex maint show catch-demangler-crashes
33337@cindex demangler crashes
33338@item maint set catch-demangler-crashes [on|off]
33339@itemx maint show catch-demangler-crashes
33340Control whether @value{GDBN} should attempt to catch crashes in the
33341symbol name demangler. The default is to attempt to catch crashes.
33342If enabled, the first time a crash is caught, a core file is created,
33343the offending symbol is displayed and the user is presented with the
33344option to terminate the current session.
33345
33346@kindex maint cplus first_component
33347@item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
33348Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
33349
33350@kindex maint cplus namespace
33351@item maint cplus namespace
33352Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
33353
33354@kindex maint demangle
33355@item maint demangle @var{name}
33356Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
33357
33358@kindex maint deprecate
33359@kindex maint undeprecate
33360@cindex deprecated commands
33361@item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
33362@itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
33363Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
33364cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
33365argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
33366favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
33367the replacement as part of the warning.
33368
33369@kindex maint dump-me
33370@item maint dump-me
33371@cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
33372Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
33373This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
33374with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
33375
33376@kindex maint internal-error
33377@kindex maint internal-warning
33378@kindex maint demangler-warning
33379@cindex demangler crashes
33380@item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33381@itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33382@itemx maint demangler-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
33383
33384Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error},
33385@code{internal_warning} or @code{demangler_warning} and hence behave
33386as though an internal problam has been detected. In addition to
33387reporting the internal problem, these functions give the user the
33388opportunity to either quit @value{GDBN} or (for @code{internal_error}
33389and @code{internal_warning}) create a core file of the current
33390@value{GDBN} session.
33391
33392These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
33393used as the text of the error or warning message.
33394
33395Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
33396
33397@smallexample
33398(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
33399@dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
33400A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
33401debugging may prove unreliable.
33402Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33403Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
33404(@value{GDBP})
33405@end smallexample
33406
33407@cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
33408@cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
33409@cindex demangler crashes
33410
33411@kindex maint set internal-error
33412@kindex maint show internal-error
33413@kindex maint set internal-warning
33414@kindex maint show internal-warning
33415@kindex maint set demangler-warning
33416@kindex maint show demangler-warning
33417@item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33418@itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
33419@itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33420@itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
33421@itemx maint set demangler-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
33422@itemx maint show demangler-warning @var{action}
33423When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
33424gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
33425core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
33426override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
33427described in the table below.
33428
33429@table @samp
33430@item quit
33431You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
33432quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
33433
33434@item corefile
33435You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
33436create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do. Note
33437that there is no @code{corefile} option for @code{demangler-warning}:
33438demangler warnings always create a core file and this cannot be
33439disabled.
33440@end table
33441
33442@kindex maint packet
33443@item maint packet @var{text}
33444If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
33445then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
33446displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
33447@samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
33448checksum.
33449
33450@kindex maint print architecture
33451@item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33452Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
33453@var{file} names the file where the output goes.
33454
33455@kindex maint print c-tdesc
33456@item maint print c-tdesc
33457Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
33458a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
33459when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
33460
33461@kindex maint print dummy-frames
33462@item maint print dummy-frames
33463Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
33464
33465@smallexample
33466(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
33467@dots{}
33468(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
33469Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
3347058 return (a + b);
33471The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
33472@dots{}
33473(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
334740xa8206d8: id=@{stack=0xbfffe734,code=0xbfffe73f,!special@}, ptid=process 9353
33475(@value{GDBP})
33476@end smallexample
33477
33478Takes an optional file parameter.
33479
33480@kindex maint print registers
33481@kindex maint print raw-registers
33482@kindex maint print cooked-registers
33483@kindex maint print register-groups
33484@kindex maint print remote-registers
33485@item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33486@itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33487@itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33488@itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33489@itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33490Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
33491
33492The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
33493the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
33494cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
33495including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
33496to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
33497groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
33498print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
33499and offsets in the `G' packets.
33500
33501These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
33502write the information.
33503
33504@kindex maint print reggroups
33505@item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
33506Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
33507optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
33508information.
33509
33510The register groups info looks like this:
33511
33512@smallexample
33513(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
33514 Group Type
33515 general user
33516 float user
33517 all user
33518 vector user
33519 system user
33520 save internal
33521 restore internal
33522@end smallexample
33523
33524@kindex flushregs
33525@item flushregs
33526This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
33527
33528@kindex maint print objfiles
33529@cindex info for known object files
33530@item maint print objfiles @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
33531Print a dump of all known object files.
33532If @var{regexp} is specified, only print object files whose names
33533match @var{regexp}. For each object file, this command prints its name,
33534address in memory, and all of its psymtabs and symtabs.
33535
33536@kindex maint print section-scripts
33537@cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
33538@item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
33539Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
33540If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
33541matching @var{regexp}.
33542For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
33543and the full path if known.
33544@xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
33545
33546@kindex maint print statistics
33547@cindex bcache statistics
33548@item maint print statistics
33549This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
33550about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
33551statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
33552of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
33553defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
33554the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
33555used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
33556sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
33557average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
33558savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
33559lengths.
33560
33561@kindex maint print target-stack
33562@cindex target stack description
33563@item maint print target-stack
33564A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
33565kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
33566so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
33567In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
33568until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
33569address.
33570
33571This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
33572the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
33573
33574@kindex maint print type
33575@cindex type chain of a data type
33576@item maint print type @var{expr}
33577Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
33578can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
33579that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
33580a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
33581data structures, including its flags and contained types.
33582
33583@kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
33584@kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
33585@item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
33586@item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
33587Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
33588information.
33589
33590The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
33591describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
33592@code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
33593expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
33594too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
33595always see the disassembly form.
33596
33597Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
33598
33599@smallexample
33600(gdb) info addr argc
33601Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
33602 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
33603@end smallexample
33604
33605For more information on these expressions, see
33606@uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
33607
33608@kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
33609@kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
33610@item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
33611@itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
33612Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
33613
33614@cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
33615In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
33616produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
33617reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
33618This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
33619cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
33620compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
33621memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
33622slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
33623
33624@kindex maint set profile
33625@kindex maint show profile
33626@cindex profiling GDB
33627@item maint set profile
33628@itemx maint show profile
33629Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
33630
33631Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
33632command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
33633collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
33634exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
33635if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
33636(often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
33637data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
33638
33639Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
33640compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
33641
33642@kindex maint set show-debug-regs
33643@kindex maint show show-debug-regs
33644@cindex hardware debug registers
33645@item maint set show-debug-regs
33646@itemx maint show show-debug-regs
33647Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
33648registers. Use @code{on} to enable, @code{off} to disable. If
33649enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
33650removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
33651triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
33652
33653@kindex maint set show-all-tib
33654@kindex maint show show-all-tib
33655@item maint set show-all-tib
33656@itemx maint show show-all-tib
33657Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
33658at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
33659command.
33660
33661@kindex maint set target-async
33662@kindex maint show target-async
33663@item maint set target-async
33664@itemx maint show target-async
33665This controls whether @value{GDBN} targets operate in synchronous or
33666asynchronous mode (@pxref{Background Execution}). Normally the
33667default is asynchronous, if it is available; but this can be changed
33668to more easily debug problems occurring only in synchronous mode.
33669
33670@kindex maint set per-command
33671@kindex maint show per-command
33672@item maint set per-command
33673@itemx maint show per-command
33674@cindex resources used by commands
33675
33676@value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
33677This is useful in debugging performance problems.
33678
33679@table @code
33680@item maint set per-command space [on|off]
33681@itemx maint show per-command space
33682Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
33683If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
33684took, following the command's own output.
33685This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
33686@option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
33687
33688@item maint set per-command time [on|off]
33689@itemx maint show per-command time
33690Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
33691for each command.
33692If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
33693took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
33694Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
33695Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
33696CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
33697Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
33698the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
33699to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
33700spent by the program been debugged.
33701This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
33702@option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
33703
33704@item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
33705@itemx maint show per-command symtab
33706Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
33707for each command.
33708If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
33709
33710@enumerate a
33711@item
33712number of symbol tables
33713@item
33714number of primary symbol tables
33715@item
33716number of blocks in the blockvector
33717@end enumerate
33718@end table
33719
33720@kindex maint space
33721@cindex memory used by commands
33722@item maint space @var{value}
33723An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
33724A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
33725
33726@kindex maint time
33727@cindex time of command execution
33728@item maint time @var{value}
33729An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
33730A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
33731
33732@kindex maint translate-address
33733@item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
33734Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
33735@var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
33736@value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
33737the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
33738the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
33739command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
33740
33741If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
33742is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
33743executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
33744
33745@end table
33746
33747The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
33748@value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
33749
33750@table @code
33751@item set watchdog @var{nsec}
33752@kindex set watchdog
33753@cindex watchdog timer
33754@cindex timeout for commands
33755Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
33756target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
33757reports and error and the command is aborted.
33758
33759@item show watchdog
33760Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
33761@end table
33762
33763@node Remote Protocol
33764@appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
33765
33766@menu
33767* Overview::
33768* Packets::
33769* Stop Reply Packets::
33770* General Query Packets::
33771* Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
33772* Tracepoint Packets::
33773* Host I/O Packets::
33774* Interrupts::
33775* Notification Packets::
33776* Remote Non-Stop::
33777* Packet Acknowledgment::
33778* Examples::
33779* File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
33780* Library List Format::
33781* Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
33782* Memory Map Format::
33783* Thread List Format::
33784* Traceframe Info Format::
33785* Branch Trace Format::
33786@end menu
33787
33788@node Overview
33789@section Overview
33790
33791There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
33792protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
33793machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
33794recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
33795
33796In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
33797transmitted and received data, respectively.
33798
33799@cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
33800@cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
33801@cindex remote serial protocol
33802All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
33803and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
33804@var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
33805@samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
33806@samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
33807
33808@smallexample
33809@code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
33810@end smallexample
33811@noindent
33812
33813@cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
33814@noindent
33815The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
33816characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
33817eight bit unsigned checksum).
33818
33819Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
33820specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
33821
33822@smallexample
33823@code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
33824@end smallexample
33825
33826@cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
33827@noindent
33828That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
33829has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
33830since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
33831
33832When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
33833response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
33834the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
33835retransmission):
33836
33837@smallexample
33838-> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
33839<- @code{+}
33840@end smallexample
33841@noindent
33842
33843The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
33844once a connection is established.
33845@xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
33846
33847The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
33848debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
33849the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
33850when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
33851threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
33852behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
33853execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
33854
33855@var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
33856exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
33857exceptions).
33858
33859@cindex remote protocol, field separator
33860Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
33861@samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
33862@sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
33863
33864Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
33865@samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
33866would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
33867
33868@cindex remote protocol, binary data
33869@anchor{Binary Data}
33870Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
33871digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
33872protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
33873Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
33874connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
33875binary data.
33876
33877The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
33878as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
33879character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
33880For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
33881bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
33882@code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
33883@samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
33884must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
33885is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
33886(described next).
33887
33888Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
33889Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
33890instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
33891repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
33892binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
33893@code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
33894produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
33895code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
33896encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
33897@samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
33898after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
338993}} more times.
33900
33901The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
33902greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
33903seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
33904five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
33905@samp{0*"00}.
33906
33907The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
33908error number. That number is not well defined.
33909
33910@cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
33911For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
33912(@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
33913protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
33914on that response.
33915
33916At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
33917commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
33918for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
33919can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
33920(step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
33921support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
33922
33923@node Packets
33924@section Packets
33925
33926The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
33927@var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
33928@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
33929I/O extension of the remote protocol.
33930
33931Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
33932syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
33933include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
33934part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
33935separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
33936@var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
33937bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
33938@var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
33939@samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
33940@var{baz}.
33941
33942@cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
33943@anchor{thread-id syntax}
33944Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
33945a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
33946interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
33947can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
33948pick any thread.
33949
33950In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
33951which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
33952process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
33953The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
33954format described above: a positive number with target-specific
33955interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
33956to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
33957indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
33958@samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
33959error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
33960@samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
33961for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
33962ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
33963
33964The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
33965@value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
33966feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
33967more information.
33968
33969Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
33970letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
33971
33972Here are the packet descriptions.
33973
33974@table @samp
33975
33976@item !
33977@cindex @samp{!} packet
33978@anchor{extended mode}
33979Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
33980persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
33981debugged.
33982
33983Reply:
33984@table @samp
33985@item OK
33986The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
33987@end table
33988
33989@item ?
33990@cindex @samp{?} packet
33991@anchor{? packet}
33992Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
33993step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
33994target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
33995
33996Reply:
33997@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
33998
33999@item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
34000@cindex @samp{A} packet
34001Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
34002specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
34003@var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
34004
34005Reply:
34006@table @samp
34007@item OK
34008The arguments were set.
34009@item E @var{NN}
34010An error occurred.
34011@end table
34012
34013@item b @var{baud}
34014@cindex @samp{b} packet
34015(Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
34016Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
34017
34018JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
34019received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
34020problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
34021
34022Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
34023it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
34024some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
34025switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
34026of view, nothing actually happened.}
34027
34028@item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
34029@cindex @samp{B} packet
34030Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
34031breakpoint at @var{addr}.
34032
34033Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
34034(@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
34035
34036@cindex @samp{bc} packet
34037@anchor{bc}
34038@item bc
34039Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
34040@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34041
34042Reply:
34043@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34044
34045@cindex @samp{bs} packet
34046@anchor{bs}
34047@item bs
34048Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
34049@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34050
34051Reply:
34052@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34053
34054@item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34055@cindex @samp{c} packet
34056Continue at @var{addr}, which is the address to resume. If @var{addr}
34057is omitted, resume at current address.
34058
34059This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34060packet}.
34061
34062Reply:
34063@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34064
34065@item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34066@cindex @samp{C} packet
34067Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
34068@samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
34069
34070This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34071packet}.
34072
34073Reply:
34074@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34075
34076@item d
34077@cindex @samp{d} packet
34078Toggle debug flag.
34079
34080Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
34081(@pxref{General Query Packets}).
34082
34083@item D
34084@itemx D;@var{pid}
34085@cindex @samp{D} packet
34086The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
34087remote system. It is sent to the remote target
34088before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
34089
34090The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
34091protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
34092detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
34093big-endian hex string.
34094
34095Reply:
34096@table @samp
34097@item OK
34098for success
34099@item E @var{NN}
34100for an error
34101@end table
34102
34103@item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
34104@cindex @samp{F} packet
34105A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
34106This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
34107Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
34108
34109@item g
34110@anchor{read registers packet}
34111@cindex @samp{g} packet
34112Read general registers.
34113
34114Reply:
34115@table @samp
34116@item @var{XX@dots{}}
34117Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
34118with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
34119each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
34120determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
34121@code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
34122specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
34123
34124When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
34125Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
34126literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
34127that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
34128is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
341294 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
34130registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
34131have been collected, and both have zero value:
34132
34133@smallexample
34134-> @code{g}
34135<- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
34136@end smallexample
34137
34138@item E @var{NN}
34139for an error.
34140@end table
34141
34142@item G @var{XX@dots{}}
34143@cindex @samp{G} packet
34144Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
34145description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
34146
34147Reply:
34148@table @samp
34149@item OK
34150for success
34151@item E @var{NN}
34152for an error
34153@end table
34154
34155@item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
34156@cindex @samp{H} packet
34157Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
34158@samp{G}, et.al.). Depending on the operation to be performed, @var{op}
34159should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
34160is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
34161option), and @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
34162@var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
34163@ref{thread-id syntax}.
34164
34165Reply:
34166@table @samp
34167@item OK
34168for success
34169@item E @var{NN}
34170for an error
34171@end table
34172
34173@c FIXME: JTC:
34174@c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
34175@c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
34176@c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
34177@c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
34178@c described. For example:
34179@c
34180@c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34181@c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
34182@c otherwise returns current registers.
34183@c
34184@c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
34185@c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
34186@c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
34187
34188@item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
34189@anchor{cycle step packet}
34190@cindex @samp{i} packet
34191Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
34192present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
34193step starting at that address.
34194
34195@item I
34196@cindex @samp{I} packet
34197Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
34198step packet}.
34199
34200@item k
34201@cindex @samp{k} packet
34202Kill request.
34203
34204The exact effect of this packet is not specified.
34205
34206For a bare-metal target, it may power cycle or reset the target
34207system. For that reason, the @samp{k} packet has no reply.
34208
34209For a single-process target, it may kill that process if possible.
34210
34211A multiple-process target may choose to kill just one process, or all
34212that are under @value{GDBN}'s control. For more precise control, use
34213the vKill packet (@pxref{vKill packet}).
34214
34215If the target system immediately closes the connection in response to
34216@samp{k}, @value{GDBN} does not consider the lack of packet
34217acknowledgment to be an error, and assumes the kill was successful.
34218
34219If connected using @kbd{target extended-remote}, and the target does
34220not close the connection in response to a kill request, @value{GDBN}
34221probes the target state as if a new connection was opened
34222(@pxref{? packet}).
34223
34224@item m @var{addr},@var{length}
34225@cindex @samp{m} packet
34226Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
34227Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
34228
34229The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
34230data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
34231and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
34232use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
34233suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
34234@cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
34235@cindex size of remote memory accesses
34236@cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
34237
34238Reply:
34239@table @samp
34240@item @var{XX@dots{}}
34241Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
34242number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
34243server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
34244@item E @var{NN}
34245@var{NN} is errno
34246@end table
34247
34248@item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34249@cindex @samp{M} packet
34250Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
34251The data is given by @var{XX@dots{}}; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
34252hexadecimal number.
34253
34254Reply:
34255@table @samp
34256@item OK
34257for success
34258@item E @var{NN}
34259for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
34260written).
34261@end table
34262
34263@item p @var{n}
34264@cindex @samp{p} packet
34265Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
34266@xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
34267register value is encoded.
34268
34269Reply:
34270@table @samp
34271@item @var{XX@dots{}}
34272the register's value
34273@item E @var{NN}
34274for an error
34275@item @w{}
34276Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
34277@end table
34278
34279@item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
34280@anchor{write register packet}
34281@cindex @samp{P} packet
34282Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
34283number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
34284digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
34285
34286Reply:
34287@table @samp
34288@item OK
34289for success
34290@item E @var{NN}
34291for an error
34292@end table
34293
34294@item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34295@itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
34296@cindex @samp{q} packet
34297@cindex @samp{Q} packet
34298General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
34299described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
34300
34301@item r
34302@cindex @samp{r} packet
34303Reset the entire system.
34304
34305Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
34306
34307@item R @var{XX}
34308@cindex @samp{R} packet
34309Restart the program being debugged. The @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
34310This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34311
34312The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
34313
34314@item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
34315@cindex @samp{s} packet
34316Single step, resuming at @var{addr}. If
34317@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
34318
34319This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34320packet}.
34321
34322Reply:
34323@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34324
34325@item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
34326@anchor{step with signal packet}
34327@cindex @samp{S} packet
34328Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
34329requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
34330
34331This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
34332packet}.
34333
34334Reply:
34335@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34336
34337@item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
34338@cindex @samp{t} packet
34339Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
34340@var{PP} and mask @var{MM}, both of which are are 4 byte long.
34341There must be at least 3 digits in @var{addr}.
34342
34343@item T @var{thread-id}
34344@cindex @samp{T} packet
34345Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
34346
34347Reply:
34348@table @samp
34349@item OK
34350thread is still alive
34351@item E @var{NN}
34352thread is dead
34353@end table
34354
34355@item v
34356Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
34357up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
34358
34359@item vAttach;@var{pid}
34360@cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
34361Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
34362The process ID is a
34363hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
34364threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
34365attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
34366
34367@c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
34368@c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
34369@c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
34370@c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
34371@c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
34372@c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
34373@c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
34374@c stopping or restarting threads.
34375
34376This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34377
34378Reply:
34379@table @samp
34380@item E @var{nn}
34381for an error
34382@item @r{Any stop packet}
34383for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
34384@item OK
34385for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
34386@end table
34387
34388@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
34389@cindex @samp{vCont} packet
34390@anchor{vCont packet}
34391Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
34392If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
34393threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
34394specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
34395in their current state in non-stop mode.
34396Specifying multiple
34397default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
34398Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34399
34400Currently supported actions are:
34401
34402@table @samp
34403@item c
34404Continue.
34405@item C @var{sig}
34406Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
34407@item s
34408Step.
34409@item S @var{sig}
34410Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
34411@item t
34412Stop.
34413@item r @var{start},@var{end}
34414Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
34415addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
34416The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
34417of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
34418a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
34419
34420If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
34421becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
34422single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
34423jumps to @var{start}).
34424
34425(A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
34426the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
34427in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
34428
34429@end table
34430
34431The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
34432@samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
34433not supported in @samp{vCont}.
34434
34435The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
34436(@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
34437A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
34438When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
34439the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
34440signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
34441as an implementation detail.
34442
34443The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
34444multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
34445this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
34446in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
34447@var{thread-id}.
34448
34449Reply:
34450@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
34451
34452@item vCont?
34453@cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
34454Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
34455
34456Reply:
34457@table @samp
34458@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
34459The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
34460command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
34461@item @w{}
34462The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
34463@end table
34464
34465@item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
34466@cindex @samp{vFile} packet
34467Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
34468see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
34469
34470@item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
34471@cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
34472Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
34473@var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
34474its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
34475flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
34476Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
34477together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
34478stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
34479packet is received.
34480
34481Reply:
34482@table @samp
34483@item OK
34484for success
34485@item E @var{NN}
34486for an error
34487@end table
34488
34489@item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34490@cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
34491Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
34492is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
34493packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
34494@samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
34495not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
34496(although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
34497have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
34498@samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
34499neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
34500target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
34501
34502
34503Reply:
34504@table @samp
34505@item OK
34506for success
34507@item E.memtype
34508for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
34509@item E @var{NN}
34510for an error
34511@end table
34512
34513@item vFlashDone
34514@cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
34515Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
34516The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
34517@samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
34518@samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
34519regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
34520request is completed.
34521
34522@item vKill;@var{pid}
34523@cindex @samp{vKill} packet
34524@anchor{vKill packet}
34525Kill the process with the specified process ID @var{pid}, which is a
34526hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
34527preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
34528supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
34529
34530Reply:
34531@table @samp
34532@item E @var{nn}
34533for an error
34534@item OK
34535for success
34536@end table
34537
34538@item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
34539@cindex @samp{vRun} packet
34540Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
34541command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
34542@var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
34543(e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
34544state.
34545
34546@c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
34547
34548This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34549
34550Reply:
34551@table @samp
34552@item E @var{nn}
34553for an error
34554@item @r{Any stop packet}
34555for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
34556@end table
34557
34558@item vStopped
34559@cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
34560@xref{Notification Packets}.
34561
34562@item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
34563@anchor{X packet}
34564@cindex @samp{X} packet
34565Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
34566Memory is specified by its address @var{addr} and number of bytes @var{length};
34567@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34568
34569Reply:
34570@table @samp
34571@item OK
34572for success
34573@item E @var{NN}
34574for an error
34575@end table
34576
34577@item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
34578@itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
34579@anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
34580@cindex @samp{z} packet
34581@cindex @samp{Z} packets
34582Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
34583watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
34584
34585Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
34586separately.
34587
34588@emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
34589for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
34590remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
34591@samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
34592avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
34593be implemented in an idempotent way.}
34594
34595@item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34596@itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
34597@cindex @samp{z0} packet
34598@cindex @samp{Z0} packet
34599Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
34600@var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
34601
34602A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
34603@var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
34604@var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
34605the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
34606and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
34607architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
34608@var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
34609form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
34610conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
34611the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
34612
34613The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
34614concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
34615
34616@table @samp
34617
34618@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34619@var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
34620actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
34621
34622@end table
34623
34624The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
34625run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
34626The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
34627nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
34628continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
34629Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
34630separators. Each expression has the following form:
34631
34632@table @samp
34633
34634@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34635@var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
34636actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
34637
34638@end table
34639
34640see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
34641
34642@emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
34643code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
34644overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
34645target, is not defined.}
34646
34647Reply:
34648@table @samp
34649@item OK
34650success
34651@item @w{}
34652not supported
34653@item E @var{NN}
34654for an error
34655@end table
34656
34657@item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34658@itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
34659@cindex @samp{z1} packet
34660@cindex @samp{Z1} packet
34661Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
34662address @var{addr}.
34663
34664A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
34665dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. The @var{kind}
34666and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
34667
34668@emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
34669movement.}
34670
34671Reply:
34672@table @samp
34673@item OK
34674success
34675@item @w{}
34676not supported
34677@item E @var{NN}
34678for an error
34679@end table
34680
34681@item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34682@itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34683@cindex @samp{z2} packet
34684@cindex @samp{Z2} packet
34685Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34686The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
34687
34688Reply:
34689@table @samp
34690@item OK
34691success
34692@item @w{}
34693not supported
34694@item E @var{NN}
34695for an error
34696@end table
34697
34698@item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34699@itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34700@cindex @samp{z3} packet
34701@cindex @samp{Z3} packet
34702Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34703The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
34704
34705Reply:
34706@table @samp
34707@item OK
34708success
34709@item @w{}
34710not supported
34711@item E @var{NN}
34712for an error
34713@end table
34714
34715@item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34716@itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
34717@cindex @samp{z4} packet
34718@cindex @samp{Z4} packet
34719Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
34720The number of bytes to watch is specified by @var{kind}.
34721
34722Reply:
34723@table @samp
34724@item OK
34725success
34726@item @w{}
34727not supported
34728@item E @var{NN}
34729for an error
34730@end table
34731
34732@end table
34733
34734@node Stop Reply Packets
34735@section Stop Reply Packets
34736@cindex stop reply packets
34737
34738The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
34739@samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
34740receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
34741and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
34742when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
34743number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
34744@value{GDBN} source code.
34745
34746As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
34747reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
34748syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
34749components.
34750
34751@table @samp
34752
34753@item S @var{AA}
34754The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
34755number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
34756@var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
34757
34758@item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
34759@cindex @samp{T} packet reply
34760The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
34761number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
34762@samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
34763and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
34764round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
34765this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
34766
34767@itemize @bullet
34768@item
34769If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
34770corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. The data @var{r} is a
34771series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
34772two-digit hex number.
34773
34774@item
34775If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
34776the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
34777
34778@item
34779If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
34780the core on which the stop event was detected.
34781
34782@item
34783If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
34784specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
34785reasons are listed below. The @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
34786signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
34787
34788@item
34789Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
34790and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
34791future.
34792@end itemize
34793
34794The currently defined stop reasons are:
34795
34796@table @samp
34797@item watch
34798@itemx rwatch
34799@itemx awatch
34800The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
34801hex.
34802
34803@cindex shared library events, remote reply
34804@item library
34805The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
34806@value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
34807list of loaded libraries. The @var{r} part is ignored.
34808
34809@cindex replay log events, remote reply
34810@item replaylog
34811The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
34812logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
34813beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
34814will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
34815for more information.
34816@end table
34817
34818@item W @var{AA}
34819@itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
34820The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
34821applicable to certain targets.
34822
34823The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
34824process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
34825multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
34826The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
34827
34828@item X @var{AA}
34829@itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
34830The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
34831
34832The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
34833terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
34834support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
34835extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
34836
34837@item O @var{XX}@dots{}
34838@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
34839written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
34840while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
34841for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
34842
34843@item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
34844@var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
34845be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
34846correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
34847@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
34848system calls.
34849
34850@samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
34851this very system call.
34852
34853The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
34854call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
34855with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
34856reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34857or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
34858Protocol Extension}, for more details.
34859
34860@end table
34861
34862@node General Query Packets
34863@section General Query Packets
34864@cindex remote query requests
34865
34866Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
34867packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
34868query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
34869sending information to and from the stub.
34870
34871The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
34872indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
34873@value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
34874definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
34875conventions:
34876
34877@itemize @bullet
34878@item
34879The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
34880@item
34881Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
34882letter.
34883@item
34884The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
34885lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
34886the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
34887foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
34888@end itemize
34889
34890The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
34891parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
34892separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
34893full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
34894in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
34895with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
34896packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
34897for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
34898are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
34899existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
34900packet.}.
34901
34902Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
34903has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
34904explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
34905templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
34906@value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
34907
34908Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
34909
34910@table @samp
34911
34912@item QAgent:1
34913@itemx QAgent:0
34914Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
34915delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
34916
34917@item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
34918@cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
34919Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
34920target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
34921pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
34922@samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
34923@samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
34924indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
34925indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
34926own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
34927insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
34928
34929@item qC
34930@cindex current thread, remote request
34931@cindex @samp{qC} packet
34932Return the current thread ID.
34933
34934Reply:
34935@table @samp
34936@item QC @var{thread-id}
34937Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
34938@ref{thread-id syntax}.
34939@item @r{(anything else)}
34940Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
34941@end table
34942
34943@item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
34944@cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
34945@cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
34946@anchor{qCRC packet}
34947Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
34948IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
34949significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
34950@code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
34951
34952@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
34953files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
34954Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
34955separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
34956significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
34957detect trailing zeros.
34958
34959Reply:
34960@table @samp
34961@item E @var{NN}
34962An error (such as memory fault)
34963@item C @var{crc32}
34964The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
34965@end table
34966
34967@item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
34968@cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
34969@cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
34970Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
34971of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
34972to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
34973debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
34974of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
34975processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
34976with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
34977randomization.
34978
34979This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
34980
34981Reply:
34982@table @samp
34983@item OK
34984The request succeeded.
34985
34986@item E @var{nn}
34987An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
34988
34989@item @w{}
34990An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
34991by the stub.
34992@end table
34993
34994This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34995by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34996This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
34997address space randomization.
34998
34999@item qfThreadInfo
35000@itemx qsThreadInfo
35001@cindex list active threads, remote request
35002@cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
35003@cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
35004Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
35005may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
35006works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
35007obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
35008be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
35009sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
35010
35011NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
35012
35013Reply:
35014@table @samp
35015@item m @var{thread-id}
35016A single thread ID
35017@item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
35018a comma-separated list of thread IDs
35019@item l
35020(lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
35021@end table
35022
35023In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
35024more thread IDs, separated by commas.
35025@value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
35026ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
35027with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
35028Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
35029fields.
35030
35031@emph{Note: @value{GDBN} will send the @code{qfThreadInfo} query during the
35032initial connection with the remote target, and the very first thread ID
35033mentioned in the reply will be stopped by @value{GDBN} in a subsequent
35034message. Therefore, the stub should ensure that the first thread ID in
35035the @code{qfThreadInfo} reply is suitable for being stopped by @value{GDBN}.}
35036
35037@item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
35038@cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
35039@cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
35040Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
35041by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
35042
35043@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
35044thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35045
35046@var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
35047thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
35048information associated with the variable.)
35049
35050@var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
35051load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
35052a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
35053object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
35054Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
35055differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
35056
35057Reply:
35058@table @samp
35059@item @var{XX}@dots{}
35060Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
35061local storage requested.
35062
35063@item E @var{nn}
35064An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35065
35066@item @w{}
35067An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
35068@end table
35069
35070@item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
35071@cindex get thread information block address
35072@cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
35073Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
35074
35075@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
35076
35077Reply:
35078@table @samp
35079@item @var{XX}@dots{}
35080Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
35081thread information block.
35082
35083@item E @var{nn}
35084An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
35085address could not be retrieved.
35086
35087@item @w{}
35088An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
35089@end table
35090
35091@item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
35092Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
35093digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
35094subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
35095number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
35096(eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
35097returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
35098
35099Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
35100
35101Reply:
35102@table @samp
35103@item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
35104Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
35105returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
35106and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
35107digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
35108is a sequence of thread IDs, @var{threadid} (eight hex
35109digits), from the target. See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
35110@end table
35111
35112@item qOffsets
35113@cindex section offsets, remote request
35114@cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
35115Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
35116image.
35117
35118Reply:
35119@table @samp
35120@item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
35121Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
35122Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
35123If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
35124@samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
35125segments by the supplied offsets.
35126
35127@emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
35128@value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
35129to the @code{Bss} section.}
35130
35131@item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
35132Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
35133contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
35134@samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
35135conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
35136@var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
35137does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
35138as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
35139kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
35140@end table
35141
35142@item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
35143@cindex thread information, remote request
35144@cindex @samp{qP} packet
35145Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
35146encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
35147(@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
35148
35149Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
35150(see below).
35151
35152Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
35153
35154@item QNonStop:1
35155@itemx QNonStop:0
35156@cindex non-stop mode, remote request
35157@cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
35158@anchor{QNonStop}
35159Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
35160@xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
35161
35162Reply:
35163@table @samp
35164@item OK
35165The request succeeded.
35166
35167@item E @var{nn}
35168An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35169
35170@item @w{}
35171An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
35172the stub.
35173@end table
35174
35175This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35176by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35177Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
35178@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
35179
35180@item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35181@cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
35182@cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
35183@anchor{QPassSignals}
35184Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
35185Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35186(@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35187strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
35188the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
35189reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
35190combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
35191new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
35192@var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
35193
35194Reply:
35195@table @samp
35196@item OK
35197The request succeeded.
35198
35199@item E @var{nn}
35200An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35201
35202@item @w{}
35203An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
35204the stub.
35205@end table
35206
35207Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
35208command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
35209This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35210by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35211
35212@item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
35213@cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
35214@cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
35215@anchor{QProgramSignals}
35216Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
35217Others should be silently discarded.
35218
35219In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
35220signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
35221example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
35222stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
35223@value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
35224by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
35225signals.
35226
35227This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
35228resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
35229
35230Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
35231(@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
35232strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
35233@samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
35234@samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
35235
35236Reply:
35237@table @samp
35238@item OK
35239The request succeeded.
35240
35241@item E @var{nn}
35242An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
35243
35244@item @w{}
35245An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
35246by the stub.
35247@end table
35248
35249Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
35250command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
35251This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35252by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35253
35254@item qRcmd,@var{command}
35255@cindex execute remote command, remote request
35256@cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
35257@var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
35258execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
35259string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
35260with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
35261packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
35262stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
35263
35264Reply:
35265@table @samp
35266@item OK
35267A command response with no output.
35268@item @var{OUTPUT}
35269A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
35270@item E @var{NN}
35271Indicate a badly formed request.
35272@item @w{}
35273An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
35274@end table
35275
35276(Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
35277command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
35278conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
35279packets.)
35280
35281@item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
35282@cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
35283@ifnotinfo
35284@cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
35285@end ifnotinfo
35286@cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
35287@anchor{qSearch memory}
35288Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
35289Both @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex;
35290@var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, also hex encoded.
35291
35292Reply:
35293@table @samp
35294@item 0
35295The pattern was not found.
35296@item 1,address
35297The pattern was found at @var{address}.
35298@item E @var{NN}
35299A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
35300@item @w{}
35301An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
35302@end table
35303
35304@item QStartNoAckMode
35305@cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
35306@anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
35307Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
35308protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
35309
35310Reply:
35311@table @samp
35312@item OK
35313The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
35314@value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
35315but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
35316@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
35317@item @w{}
35318An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
35319@end table
35320
35321@item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
35322@cindex supported packets, remote query
35323@cindex features of the remote protocol
35324@cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
35325@anchor{qSupported}
35326Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
35327query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
35328@value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
35329features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
35330at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
35331packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
35332high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
35333be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
35334stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
35335automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
35336reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
35337unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
35338helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
35339versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
35340
35341Reply:
35342@table @samp
35343@item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
35344The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
35345depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
35346possible forms).
35347@item @w{}
35348An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
35349or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
35350@end table
35351
35352The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
35353@samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
35354are:
35355
35356@table @samp
35357@item @var{name}=@var{value}
35358The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
35359with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
35360on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
35361@item @var{name}+
35362The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
35363need an associated value.
35364@item @var{name}-
35365The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
35366@item @var{name}?
35367The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
35368@value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
35369needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
35370but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
35371@end table
35372
35373Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
35374supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
35375request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
35376state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
35377a different version of @value{GDBN}.
35378
35379The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
35380are defined:
35381
35382@table @samp
35383@item multiprocess
35384This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
35385extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
35386extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
35387including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
35388@xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
35389
35390@item xmlRegisters
35391This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
35392description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
35393specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
35394description.
35395
35396@item qRelocInsn
35397This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
35398@samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
35399instruction reply packet}).
35400@end table
35401
35402Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
35403@var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
35404packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
35405versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
35406for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
35407advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
35408improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
35409an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
35410of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
35411describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
35412all the features it supports.
35413
35414Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
35415responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
35416
35417Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
35418should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
35419require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
35420form response.
35421
35422Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
35423@samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
35424in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
35425stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
35426
35427Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
35428mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
35429architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
35430about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
35431stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
35432
35433These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
35434
35435@multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
35436@c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
35437@c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
35438@item Feature Name
35439@tab Value Required
35440@tab Default
35441@tab Probe Allowed
35442
35443@item @samp{PacketSize}
35444@tab Yes
35445@tab @samp{-}
35446@tab No
35447
35448@item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
35449@tab No
35450@tab @samp{-}
35451@tab Yes
35452
35453@item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
35454@tab No
35455@tab @samp{-}
35456@tab Yes
35457
35458@item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
35459@tab No
35460@tab @samp{-}
35461@tab Yes
35462
35463@item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35464@tab No
35465@tab @samp{-}
35466@tab Yes
35467
35468@item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
35469@tab No
35470@tab @samp{-}
35471@tab Yes
35472
35473@item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
35474@tab No
35475@tab @samp{-}
35476@tab No
35477
35478@item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
35479@tab No
35480@tab @samp{-}
35481@tab Yes
35482
35483@item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
35484@tab No
35485@tab @samp{-}
35486@tab Yes
35487
35488@item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
35489@tab No
35490@tab @samp{-}
35491@tab Yes
35492
35493@item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
35494@tab No
35495@tab @samp{-}
35496@tab Yes
35497
35498@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
35499@tab No
35500@tab @samp{-}
35501@tab Yes
35502
35503@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
35504@tab No
35505@tab @samp{-}
35506@tab Yes
35507
35508@item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
35509@tab No
35510@tab @samp{-}
35511@tab Yes
35512
35513@item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
35514@tab No
35515@tab @samp{-}
35516@tab Yes
35517
35518@item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
35519@tab No
35520@tab @samp{-}
35521@tab Yes
35522
35523@item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
35524@tab No
35525@tab @samp{-}
35526@tab Yes
35527
35528@item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
35529@tab Yes
35530@tab @samp{-}
35531@tab Yes
35532
35533@item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
35534@tab Yes
35535@tab @samp{-}
35536@tab Yes
35537
35538@item @samp{QNonStop}
35539@tab No
35540@tab @samp{-}
35541@tab Yes
35542
35543@item @samp{QPassSignals}
35544@tab No
35545@tab @samp{-}
35546@tab Yes
35547
35548@item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
35549@tab No
35550@tab @samp{-}
35551@tab Yes
35552
35553@item @samp{multiprocess}
35554@tab No
35555@tab @samp{-}
35556@tab No
35557
35558@item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
35559@tab No
35560@tab @samp{-}
35561@tab No
35562
35563@item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
35564@tab No
35565@tab @samp{-}
35566@tab No
35567
35568@item @samp{ReverseContinue}
35569@tab No
35570@tab @samp{-}
35571@tab No
35572
35573@item @samp{ReverseStep}
35574@tab No
35575@tab @samp{-}
35576@tab No
35577
35578@item @samp{TracepointSource}
35579@tab No
35580@tab @samp{-}
35581@tab No
35582
35583@item @samp{QAgent}
35584@tab No
35585@tab @samp{-}
35586@tab No
35587
35588@item @samp{QAllow}
35589@tab No
35590@tab @samp{-}
35591@tab No
35592
35593@item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
35594@tab No
35595@tab @samp{-}
35596@tab No
35597
35598@item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
35599@tab No
35600@tab @samp{-}
35601@tab No
35602
35603@item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
35604@tab No
35605@tab @samp{-}
35606@tab No
35607
35608@item @samp{tracenz}
35609@tab No
35610@tab @samp{-}
35611@tab No
35612
35613@item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
35614@tab No
35615@tab @samp{-}
35616@tab No
35617
35618@end multitable
35619
35620These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
35621
35622@table @samp
35623@cindex packet size, remote protocol
35624@item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
35625The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
35626length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
35627transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
35628data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
35629There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
35630stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
35631byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
35632@value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
35633
35634@item qXfer:auxv:read
35635The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
35636(@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
35637
35638@item qXfer:btrace:read
35639The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
35640packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
35641
35642@item qXfer:features:read
35643The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
35644(@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
35645
35646@item qXfer:libraries:read
35647The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
35648(@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
35649
35650@item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
35651The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
35652(@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
35653
35654@item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
35655The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
35656@samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
35657(@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
35658
35659@item qXfer:memory-map:read
35660The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
35661(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
35662
35663@item qXfer:sdata:read
35664The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
35665(@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
35666
35667@item qXfer:spu:read
35668The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
35669(@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
35670
35671@item qXfer:spu:write
35672The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
35673(@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
35674
35675@item qXfer:siginfo:read
35676The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
35677(@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
35678
35679@item qXfer:siginfo:write
35680The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
35681(@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
35682
35683@item qXfer:threads:read
35684The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
35685(@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
35686
35687@item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
35688The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
35689packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
35690
35691@item qXfer:uib:read
35692The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
35693packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
35694
35695@item qXfer:fdpic:read
35696The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
35697packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
35698
35699@item QNonStop
35700The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
35701(@pxref{QNonStop}).
35702
35703@item QPassSignals
35704The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
35705(@pxref{QPassSignals}).
35706
35707@item QStartNoAckMode
35708The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
35709prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
35710
35711@item multiprocess
35712@anchor{multiprocess extensions}
35713@cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
35714The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
35715protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
35716thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
35717add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
35718replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
35719syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
35720debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
35721multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
35722indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
35723
35724@item qXfer:osdata:read
35725The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
35726((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
35727
35728@item ConditionalBreakpoints
35729The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
35730defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
35731when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
35732
35733@item ConditionalTracepoints
35734The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
35735for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
35736
35737@item ReverseContinue
35738The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
35739(@pxref{bc}).
35740
35741@item ReverseStep
35742The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
35743(@pxref{bs}).
35744
35745@item TracepointSource
35746The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
35747the source form of tracepoint definitions.
35748
35749@item QAgent
35750The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
35751
35752@item QAllow
35753The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
35754
35755@item QDisableRandomization
35756The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
35757
35758@item StaticTracepoint
35759@cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
35760The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
35761
35762@item InstallInTrace
35763@anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
35764The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
35765
35766@item EnableDisableTracepoints
35767The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
35768@samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
35769to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
35770
35771@item QTBuffer:size
35772The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
35773packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
35774
35775@item tracenz
35776@cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
35777The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
35778See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
35779
35780@item BreakpointCommands
35781@cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
35782The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
35783rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
35784
35785@item Qbtrace:off
35786The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
35787
35788@item Qbtrace:bts
35789The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
35790
35791@end table
35792
35793@item qSymbol::
35794@cindex symbol lookup, remote request
35795@cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
35796Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
35797requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
35798
35799Reply:
35800@table @samp
35801@item OK
35802The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
35803@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
35804The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
35805@value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
35806@samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
35807below.
35808@end table
35809
35810@item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
35811Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
35812
35813@var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
35814target has previously requested.
35815
35816@var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
35817@value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
35818will be empty.
35819
35820Reply:
35821@table @samp
35822@item OK
35823The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
35824@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
35825The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
35826encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
35827(if available), until the target ceases to request them.
35828@end table
35829
35830@item qTBuffer
35831@itemx QTBuffer
35832@itemx QTDisconnected
35833@itemx QTDP
35834@itemx QTDPsrc
35835@itemx QTDV
35836@itemx qTfP
35837@itemx qTfV
35838@itemx QTFrame
35839@itemx qTMinFTPILen
35840
35841@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
35842
35843@item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
35844@cindex thread attributes info, remote request
35845@cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
35846Obtain from the target OS a printable string description of thread
35847attributes for the thread @var{thread-id}; see @ref{thread-id syntax},
35848for the forms of @var{thread-id}. This
35849string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
35850for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
35851displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
35852examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
35853@samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
35854
35855Reply:
35856@table @samp
35857@item @var{XX}@dots{}
35858Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
35859comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
35860the thread's attributes.
35861@end table
35862
35863(Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
35864the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
35865conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
35866packets.)
35867
35868@item QTNotes
35869@itemx qTP
35870@itemx QTSave
35871@itemx qTsP
35872@itemx qTsV
35873@itemx QTStart
35874@itemx QTStop
35875@itemx QTEnable
35876@itemx QTDisable
35877@itemx QTinit
35878@itemx QTro
35879@itemx qTStatus
35880@itemx qTV
35881@itemx qTfSTM
35882@itemx qTsSTM
35883@itemx qTSTMat
35884@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
35885
35886@item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35887@cindex read special object, remote request
35888@cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
35889@anchor{qXfer read}
35890Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
35891identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
35892starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
35893encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
35894additional details about what data to access.
35895
35896Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
35897@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
35898formats, listed below.
35899
35900@table @samp
35901@item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35902@anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
35903Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
35904auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
35905
35906This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35907by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35908
35909@item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35910@anchor{qXfer btrace read}
35911
35912Return a description of the current branch trace.
35913@xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
35914packet may have one of the following values:
35915
35916@table @code
35917@item all
35918Returns all available branch trace.
35919
35920@item new
35921Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
35922the last read request.
35923
35924@item delta
35925Returns the new branch trace since the last read request. Adds a new
35926block to the end of the trace that begins at zero and ends at the source
35927location of the first branch in the trace buffer. This extra block is
35928used to stitch traces together.
35929
35930If the trace buffer overflowed, returns an error indicating the overflow.
35931@end table
35932
35933This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
35934by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35935
35936@item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35937@anchor{qXfer target description read}
35938Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
35939annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
35940always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
35941
35942This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35943by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35944
35945@item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35946@anchor{qXfer library list read}
35947Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
35948The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
35949(@pxref{qXfer read}).
35950
35951Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
35952not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
35953the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
35954
35955This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35956by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35957
35958@item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
35959@anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
35960Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
35961platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
35962of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
35963stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
35964by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
35965(@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
35966
35967This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
35968@value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
35969
35970This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
35971by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
35972
35973If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
35974packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
35975contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
35976arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
35977
35978@table @code
35979@item start=@var{address}
35980A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
35981link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
35982then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
35983chosen as the starting point.
35984
35985@item prev=@var{address}
35986A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
35987link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
35988specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
35989the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
35990exists prior to the starting point.
35991
35992@end table
35993
35994Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
35995ignored.
35996
35997@item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
35998@anchor{qXfer memory map read}
35999Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
36000annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36001(@pxref{qXfer read}).
36002
36003This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36004by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36005
36006@item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36007@anchor{qXfer sdata read}
36008
36009Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
36010information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
36011be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
36012Action Lists}.
36013
36014This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36015by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36016(@pxref{qSupported}).
36017
36018@item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36019@anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
36020Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
36021system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
36022empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36023
36024This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36025by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36026(@pxref{qSupported}).
36027
36028@item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36029@anchor{qXfer spu read}
36030Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
36031annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
36032@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
36033in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
36034in that context to be accessed.
36035
36036This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36037by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36038(@pxref{qSupported}).
36039
36040@item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36041@anchor{qXfer threads read}
36042Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
36043annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
36044(@pxref{qXfer read}).
36045
36046This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36047by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36048
36049@item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36050@anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
36051
36052Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
36053@xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
36054@samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
36055
36056This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36057by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36058
36059@item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36060@anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
36061
36062Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
36063on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
36064
36065This packet is not probed by default.
36066
36067@item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36068@anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
36069Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
36070annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
36071executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
36072
36073This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36074by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36075
36076@item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
36077@anchor{qXfer osdata read}
36078Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
36079@xref{Operating System Information}.
36080
36081@end table
36082
36083Reply:
36084@table @samp
36085@item m @var{data}
36086Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
36087target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
36088it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
36089block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
36090It is possible for @var{data} to have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
36091request.
36092
36093@item l @var{data}
36094Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
36095There is no more data to be read. It is possible for @var{data} to
36096have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the request.
36097
36098@item l
36099The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
36100There is no more data to be read.
36101
36102@item E00
36103The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
36104
36105@item E @var{nn}
36106The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
36107The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
36108
36109@item @w{}
36110An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
36111the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
36112@end table
36113
36114@item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
36115@cindex write data into object, remote request
36116@anchor{qXfer write}
36117Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
36118identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
36119into the data. The binary-encoded data (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be
36120written is given by @var{data}@dots{}. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
36121is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
36122to access.
36123
36124Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
36125@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
36126formats, listed below.
36127
36128@table @samp
36129@item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
36130@anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
36131Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
36132The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
36133empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
36134
36135This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36136by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
36137(@pxref{qSupported}).
36138
36139@item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
36140@anchor{qXfer spu write}
36141Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
36142annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
36143@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
36144in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
36145in that context to be accessed.
36146
36147This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36148by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36149@end table
36150
36151Reply:
36152@table @samp
36153@item @var{nn}
36154@var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
36155This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
36156
36157@item E00
36158The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
36159
36160@item E @var{nn}
36161The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
36162The @var{nn} part is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
36163
36164@item @w{}
36165An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
36166recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
36167@end table
36168
36169@item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
36170Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
36171not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
36172@var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
36173must respond with an empty packet.
36174
36175@item qAttached:@var{pid}
36176@cindex query attached, remote request
36177@cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
36178Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
36179existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
36180protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
36181@var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
36182process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
36183the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
36184
36185This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
36186should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
36187the @code{quit} command.
36188
36189Reply:
36190@table @samp
36191@item 1
36192The remote server attached to an existing process.
36193@item 0
36194The remote server created a new process.
36195@item E @var{NN}
36196A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
36197@end table
36198
36199@item Qbtrace:bts
36200Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
36201
36202Reply:
36203@table @samp
36204@item OK
36205Branch tracing has been enabled.
36206@item E.errtext
36207A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
36208@end table
36209
36210@item Qbtrace:off
36211Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
36212
36213Reply:
36214@table @samp
36215@item OK
36216Branch tracing has been disabled.
36217@item E.errtext
36218A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
36219@end table
36220
36221@end table
36222
36223@node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
36224@section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
36225
36226This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
36227target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
36228details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
36229
36230@menu
36231* ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
36232* MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
36233@end menu
36234
36235@node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
36236@subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
36237
36238@menu
36239* ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
36240@end menu
36241
36242@node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
36243@subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
36244@cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
36245
36246These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
36247
36248@table @r
36249
36250@item 2
3625116-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
36252
36253@item 3
3625432-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
36255
36256@item 4
3625732-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
36258
36259@end table
36260
36261@node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
36262@subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
36263
36264@menu
36265* MIPS Register packet Format::
36266* MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
36267@end menu
36268
36269@node MIPS Register packet Format
36270@subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
36271@cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
36272
36273The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
36274In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
36275sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
36276to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
36277byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
36278most-significant -- least-significant.
36279
36280@table @r
36281
36282@item MIPS32
36283All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
3628432 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
36285registers; fsr; fir; fp.
36286
36287@item MIPS64
36288All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
36289thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
36290as @code{MIPS32}.
36291
36292@end table
36293
36294@node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
36295@subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
36296@cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
36297
36298These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
36299
36300@table @r
36301
36302@item 2
3630316-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
36304
36305@item 3
3630616-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
36307
36308@item 4
3630932-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
36310
36311@item 5
3631232-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
36313
36314@end table
36315
36316@node Tracepoint Packets
36317@section Tracepoint Packets
36318@cindex tracepoint packets
36319@cindex packets, tracepoint
36320
36321Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
36322tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
36323
36324@table @samp
36325
36326@item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
36327@cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
36328Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
36329is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
36330the tracepoint is disabled. The @var{step} gives the tracepoint's step
36331count, and @var{pass} gives its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
36332then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
36333the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
36334for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
36335tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
36336by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
36337encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
36338further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
36339actions.
36340
36341Replies:
36342@table @samp
36343@item OK
36344The packet was understood and carried out.
36345@item qRelocInsn
36346@xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
36347@item @w{}
36348The packet was not recognized.
36349@end table
36350
36351@item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
36352Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. The @var{n} and
36353@var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
36354this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
36355another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
36356trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
36357specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
36358
36359In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
36360can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
36361is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
36362actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
36363taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
36364@samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
36365tracepoint actions.
36366
36367The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
36368actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
36369following forms:
36370
36371@table @samp
36372
36373@item R @var{mask}
36374Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask},
36375a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
36376@var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
36377zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
36378not fit in a 32-bit word.
36379
36380@item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
36381Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
36382number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
36383@samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
36384address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
36385@var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
36386values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
36387
36388@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36389Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
36390it directs. The agent expression @var{expr} is as described in
36391@ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
36392two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
36393in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
36394packet).
36395
36396@end table
36397
36398Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
36399packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
36400length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
36401action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
36402actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
36403must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
36404``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
36405separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
36406
36407Replies:
36408@table @samp
36409@item OK
36410The packet was understood and carried out.
36411@item qRelocInsn
36412@xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
36413@item @w{}
36414The packet was not recognized.
36415@end table
36416
36417@item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
36418@cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
36419Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
36420This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
36421originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. The @var{type}
36422is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
36423tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
36424@var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
36425
36426@var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
36427string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
36428This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
36429fit in a single packet.
36430@c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
36431@c tracepoint descriptions section.
36432
36433The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
36434@samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
36435@value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
36436list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
36437
36438The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
36439report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
36440query packets.
36441
36442Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
36443if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
36444Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
36445much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
36446tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
36447the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
36448could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
36449be found.
36450
36451@item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
36452@cindex define trace state variable, remote request
36453@cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
36454Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
36455value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
36456and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
36457the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
36458target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
36459mentioned in expressions.
36460
36461@item QTFrame:@var{n}
36462@cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
36463Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
36464register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
36465request packets from @value{GDBN}.
36466
36467A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
36468requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
36469without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
36470one of the following forms:
36471
36472@table @samp
36473@item F @var{f}
36474The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
36475@var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
36476was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
36477
36478@item T @var{t}
36479The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
36480@var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
36481
36482@end table
36483
36484@item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
36485Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36486currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
36487@var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
36488
36489@item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
36490Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36491currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
36492is a hexadecimal number.
36493
36494@item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
36495Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
36496currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
36497and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
36498numbers.
36499
36500@item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
36501Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
36502frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
36503
36504@item qTMinFTPILen
36505@cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
36506This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
36507tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
36508the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
36509it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
36510the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
36511system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
36512arrange for that.
36513
36514Replies:
36515
36516@table @samp
36517@item 0
36518The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
36519@item @var{length}
36520The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length}
36521is a hexadecimal number greater or equal to 1. A reply
36522of 1 means that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction
36523regardless of size.
36524@item E
36525An error has occurred.
36526@item @w{}
36527An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
36528@end table
36529
36530@item QTStart
36531@cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
36532Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
36533tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
36534@samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36535instruction reply packet}).
36536
36537@item QTStop
36538@cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
36539End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
36540
36541@item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
36542@anchor{QTEnable}
36543@cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
36544Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
36545experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
36546of data from it will resume.
36547
36548@item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
36549@anchor{QTDisable}
36550@cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
36551Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
36552experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
36553@samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
36554
36555@item QTinit
36556@cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
36557Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
36558
36559@item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
36560@cindex @samp{QTro} packet
36561Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
36562will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
36563if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
36564
36565@value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
36566containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
36567still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
36568there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
36569
36570@item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
36571@cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
36572Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
36573disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
36574continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
36575@value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
36576
36577@item qTStatus
36578@cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
36579Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
36580
36581The reply has the form:
36582
36583@table @samp
36584
36585@item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
36586@var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
36587running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
36588optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
36589
36590@end table
36591
36592If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
36593explanations as one of the optional fields:
36594
36595@table @samp
36596
36597@item tnotrun:0
36598No trace has been run yet.
36599
36600@item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
36601The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
36602@var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
36603stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
36604stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
36605
36606@item tfull:0
36607The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
36608
36609@item tdisconnected:0
36610The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
36611
36612@item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
36613The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
36614
36615@item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
36616The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
36617string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
36618(for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression); it
36619is hex encoded.
36620
36621@item tunknown:0
36622The trace stopped for some other reason.
36623
36624@end table
36625
36626Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
36627Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
36628the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
36629numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
36630trace.
36631
36632@table @samp
36633
36634@item tframes:@var{n}
36635The number of trace frames in the buffer.
36636
36637@item tcreated:@var{n}
36638The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
36639be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
36640
36641@item tsize:@var{n}
36642The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
36643
36644@item tfree:@var{n}
36645The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
36646
36647@item circular:@var{n}
36648The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
36649trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
36650necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
36651and may fill up.
36652
36653@item disconn:@var{n}
36654The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
36655tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
36656that the trace run will stop.
36657
36658@end table
36659
36660@item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
36661@cindex tracepoint status, remote request
36662@cindex @samp{qTP} packet
36663Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
36664address @var{addr}.
36665
36666Replies:
36667@table @samp
36668@item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
36669The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
36670run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
36671@code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
36672steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
36673
36674@end table
36675
36676@item qTV:@var{var}
36677@cindex trace state variable value, remote request
36678@cindex @samp{qTV} packet
36679Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
36680
36681Replies:
36682@table @samp
36683@item V@var{value}
36684The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
36685value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
36686saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
36687user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
36688different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
36689program is running.
36690
36691@item U
36692The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
36693if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
36694was not collected.
36695@end table
36696
36697@item qTfP
36698@cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
36699@itemx qTsP
36700@cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
36701These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
36702the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
36703of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
36704to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
36705that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
36706
36707@item qTfV
36708@cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
36709@itemx qTsV
36710@cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
36711These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
36712target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
36713and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
36714these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
36715trace state variables.
36716
36717@item qTfSTM
36718@itemx qTsSTM
36719@anchor{qTfSTM}
36720@anchor{qTsSTM}
36721@cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
36722@cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
36723These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
36724in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
36725first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
36726pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
36727
36728Reply:
36729@table @samp
36730@item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
36731A single marker
36732@item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
36733a comma-separated list of markers
36734@item l
36735(lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
36736@item E @var{nn}
36737An error occurred. The error number @var{nn} is given as hex digits.
36738@item @w{}
36739An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
36740stub.
36741@end table
36742
36743The @var{address} is encoded in hex;
36744@var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
36745
36746In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
36747more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
36748reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
36749query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
36750@dfn{last}).
36751
36752@item qTSTMat:@var{address}
36753@anchor{qTSTMat}
36754@cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
36755This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
36756target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
36757syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
36758tracepoint markers.
36759
36760@item QTSave:@var{filename}
36761@cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
36762This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
36763@var{filename} in the target's filesystem. The @var{filename} is encoded
36764as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
36765absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
36766
36767@item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
36768@cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
36769Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
36770starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
36771a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
36772The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
36773in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
36774A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
36775available.
36776
36777@item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
36778This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
36779@var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
36780
36781@item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
36782@anchor{QTBuffer-size}
36783@cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
36784This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
36785@var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
36786use whatever size it prefers.
36787
36788@item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
36789@cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
36790This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
36791types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
36792@var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
36793
36794@end table
36795
36796@subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
36797When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
36798relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
36799different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
36800enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
36801return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
36802PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
36803of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
36804it had executed in the original location.
36805
36806In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
36807respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
36808packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
36809this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
36810documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
36811descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
36812format of the request is:
36813
36814@table @samp
36815@item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
36816
36817This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
36818to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
36819instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
36820@var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
36821memory starting at @var{to}.
36822@end table
36823
36824Replies:
36825@table @samp
36826@item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
36827Informs the stub the relocation is complete. The @var{adjusted_size} is
36828the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
36829@item E @var{NN}
36830A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
36831relocating the instruction.
36832@end table
36833
36834@node Host I/O Packets
36835@section Host I/O Packets
36836@cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
36837@cindex file transfer, remote protocol
36838
36839The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
36840operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
36841used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
36842filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
36843layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
36844Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
36845protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
36846Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
36847target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
36848Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
36849
36850The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
36851its arguments. They have this format:
36852
36853@table @samp
36854
36855@item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
36856@var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
36857should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
36858for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
36859the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
36860numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
36861used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
36862hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
36863buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
36864
36865@end table
36866
36867The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
36868
36869@table @samp
36870
36871@item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
36872@var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
36873non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
36874@var{errno} will be included in the result specifying a
36875value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
36876operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
36877binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
36878normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
36879documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
36880@var{attachment}.
36881
36882@item @w{}
36883An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
36884
36885@end table
36886
36887These are the supported Host I/O operations:
36888
36889@table @samp
36890@item vFile:open: @var{filename}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
36891Open a file at @var{filename} and return a file descriptor for it, or
36892return -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string,
36893@var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
36894(@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
36895of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
36896@xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
36897
36898@item vFile:close: @var{fd}
36899Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
36900-1 if an error occurs.
36901
36902@item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
36903Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
36904@var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
36905relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
36906common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
36907condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
36908returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
36909@var{count} was zero.
36910
36911The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
36912If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
36913attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
36914number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
36915some characters were escaped.
36916
36917@item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
36918Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
36919to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
36920file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
36921separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
36922packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
36923which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
36924error occurred.
36925
36926@item vFile:unlink: @var{filename}
36927Delete the file at @var{filename} on the target. Return 0,
36928or -1 if an error occurs. The @var{filename} is a string.
36929
36930@item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
36931Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
36932the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
36933
36934The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
36935If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
36936attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
36937number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
36938some characters were escaped.
36939
36940@end table
36941
36942@node Interrupts
36943@section Interrupts
36944@cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
36945
36946When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
36947attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
36948a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
36949control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
36950
36951The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
36952mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
36953currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
36954interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
36955@code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
36956
36957@samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
36958transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
36959@code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
36960the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
36961transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
36962and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
36963(@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
36964@code{0x03} as part of its packet.
36965
36966@code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
36967When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
36968it stops execution and connects to gdb.
36969
36970Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
36971precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
36972implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
36973threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
36974currently-executing threads and processes.
36975If the stub is successful at interrupting the
36976running program, it should send one of the stop
36977reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
36978of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
36979for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
36980Interrupts received while the
36981program is stopped are discarded.
36982
36983@node Notification Packets
36984@section Notification Packets
36985@cindex notification packets
36986@cindex packets, notification
36987
36988The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
36989packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
36990may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
36991present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
36992without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
36993are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
36994is not a problem.
36995
36996A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
36997@var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
36998and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
36999as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
37000never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
37001receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
37002to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
37003
37004Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
37005colon characters, followed by a colon character.
37006
37007Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
37008notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
37009timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
37010not they understand it.
37011
37012Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
37013protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
37014future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
37015new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
37016recipients.
37017
37018(Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
37019the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
37020transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
37021are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
37022assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
37023
37024Each notification is comprised of three parts:
37025@table @samp
37026@item @var{name}:@var{event}
37027The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
37028exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
37029carrying the specific information about the notification, and
37030@var{name} specifying the name of the notification.
37031@item @var{ack}
37032The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
37033acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
37034@end table
37035
37036The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
37037@value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
37038
37039The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
37040at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
37041appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
37042acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
37043additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
37044previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
37045synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
37046@value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
37047the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
37048@value{GDBN} may not have received it.
37049
37050Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
37051otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
37052expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
37053@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
37054Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
37055the stub so there is no ambiguity.
37056
37057After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
37058sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
37059stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
37060@value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
37061stub first, which the stub should process normally.
37062
37063Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
37064events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
37065normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
37066packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
37067other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
37068normally.
37069
37070If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
37071@var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
37072At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
37073and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
37074won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
37075received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
37076a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
37077the process shall be repeated.
37078
37079The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
37080following example:
37081@smallexample
37082<- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
37083@code{...}
37084-> @code{vStopped}
37085<- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
37086-> @code{vStopped}
37087<- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
37088-> @code{vStopped}
37089<- @code{OK}
37090@end smallexample
37091
37092The following notifications are defined:
37093@multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
37094
37095@item Notification
37096@tab Ack
37097@tab Event
37098@tab Description
37099
37100@item Stop
37101@tab vStopped
37102@tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
37103described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
37104for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
37105@value{GDBN}.
37106@tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
37107
37108@end multitable
37109
37110@node Remote Non-Stop
37111@section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
37112
37113@value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
37114multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
37115supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
37116@samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37117
37118@value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
37119establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
37120does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
37121must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
37122all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
37123probe the target state after a mode change.
37124
37125In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
37126would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
37127asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
37128inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
37129in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
37130mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
37131when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
37132of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
37133affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
37134to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
37135threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
37136
37137In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
37138follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
37139sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
37140sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
37141it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
37142stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
37143subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
37144using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
37145asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
37146If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
37147or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
37148@samp{OK}.
37149
37150@node Packet Acknowledgment
37151@section Packet Acknowledgment
37152
37153@cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
37154@cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
37155By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
37156the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
37157the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
37158This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
37159unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
37160
37161In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
37162TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
37163It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
37164overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
37165@samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
37166
37167When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
37168expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
37169and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
37170@ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
37171
37172If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
37173no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
37174by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
37175@pxref{qSupported}.
37176If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
37177disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
37178(@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
37179@value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
37180Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
37181@value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
37182response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
37183
37184Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
37185between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
37186it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
37187connection.
37188Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
37189new connection is established,
37190there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
37191for the current connection, once disabled.
37192
37193@node Examples
37194@section Examples
37195
37196Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
37197does not get any direct output:
37198
37199@smallexample
37200-> @code{R00}
37201<- @code{+}
37202@emph{target restarts}
37203-> @code{?}
37204<- @code{+}
37205<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
37206-> @code{+}
37207@end smallexample
37208
37209Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
37210
37211@smallexample
37212-> @code{G1445@dots{}}
37213<- @code{+}
37214-> @code{s}
37215<- @code{+}
37216@emph{time passes}
37217<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
37218-> @code{+}
37219-> @code{g}
37220<- @code{+}
37221<- @code{1455@dots{}}
37222-> @code{+}
37223@end smallexample
37224
37225@node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
37226@section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
37227@cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
37228
37229@menu
37230* File-I/O Overview::
37231* Protocol Basics::
37232* The F Request Packet::
37233* The F Reply Packet::
37234* The Ctrl-C Message::
37235* Console I/O::
37236* List of Supported Calls::
37237* Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
37238* Constants::
37239* File-I/O Examples::
37240@end menu
37241
37242@node File-I/O Overview
37243@subsection File-I/O Overview
37244@cindex file-i/o overview
37245
37246The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
37247target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
37248system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
37249remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
37250actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
37251This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
37252
37253The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
37254It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
37255@value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
37256translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
37257protocol representations when data is transmitted.
37258
37259The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
37260@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
37261or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
37262the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
37263memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
37264the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
37265(@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
37266
37267The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
37268the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
37269after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
37270previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
37271request from @value{GDBN} is required.
37272
37273@smallexample
37274(@value{GDBP}) continue
37275 <- target requests 'system call X'
37276 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
37277 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
37278 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
37279 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
37280@end smallexample
37281
37282The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
37283the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
37284named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
37285system are not supported by this protocol.
37286
37287File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
37288
37289@node Protocol Basics
37290@subsection Protocol Basics
37291@cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
37292
37293The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
37294as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
37295@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
37296the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
37297of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
37298This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
37299to call the appropriate host system call:
37300
37301@itemize @bullet
37302@item
37303A unique identifier for the requested system call.
37304
37305@item
37306All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
37307in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
37308pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
37309Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
37310
37311@end itemize
37312
37313At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
37314
37315@itemize @bullet
37316@item
37317If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
37318system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
37319standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
37320expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
37321packet.
37322
37323@item
37324@value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
37325representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
37326
37327@item
37328@value{GDBN} calls the system call.
37329
37330@item
37331It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
37332
37333@item
37334If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
37335by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
37336target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
37337by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
37338packet.
37339
37340@end itemize
37341
37342Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
37343necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
37344
37345@itemize @bullet
37346@item
37347Return value.
37348
37349@item
37350@code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
37351
37352@item
37353``Ctrl-C'' flag.
37354
37355@end itemize
37356
37357After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
37358the latest continue or step action.
37359
37360@node The F Request Packet
37361@subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
37362@cindex file-i/o request packet
37363@cindex @code{F} request packet
37364
37365The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
37366
37367@table @samp
37368@item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
37369
37370@var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
37371This is just the name of the function.
37372
37373@var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
37374Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
37375of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
37376datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
37377of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
37378comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
37379string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
37380
37381@end table
37382
37383
37384
37385@node The F Reply Packet
37386@subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
37387@cindex file-i/o reply packet
37388@cindex @code{F} reply packet
37389
37390The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
37391
37392@table @samp
37393
37394@item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
37395
37396@var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
37397
37398@var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
37399representation.
37400This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
37401
37402@var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
37403case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
37404The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
37405
37406@smallexample
37407F0,0,C
37408@end smallexample
37409
37410@noindent
37411or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
37412
37413@smallexample
37414F-1,4,C
37415@end smallexample
37416
37417@noindent
37418assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
37419
37420@end table
37421
37422
37423@node The Ctrl-C Message
37424@subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
37425@cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
37426
37427If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
37428reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
37429the target should behave as if it had
37430gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
37431interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
37432(as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
37433packet.
37434
37435It's important for the target to know in which
37436state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
37437
37438@itemize @bullet
37439@item
37440The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
37441
37442@item
37443The system call on the host has been finished.
37444
37445@end itemize
37446
37447These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
37448returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
37449call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
37450on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
37451system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
37452as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
37453
37454@value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
37455yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
37456@code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
37457before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
37458@value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
37459The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
37460or the full action has been completed.
37461
37462@node Console I/O
37463@subsection Console I/O
37464@cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
37465
37466By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
37467descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
37468on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
37469(@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
37470by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
374710 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
37472conditions is met:
37473
37474@itemize @bullet
37475@item
37476The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
37477@code{read}
37478system call is treated as finished.
37479
37480@item
37481The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
37482newline.
37483
37484@item
37485The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
37486character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
37487
37488@end itemize
37489
37490If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
37491the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
37492either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
37493is stopped at the user's request.
37494
37495
37496@node List of Supported Calls
37497@subsection List of Supported Calls
37498@cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
37499
37500@menu
37501* open::
37502* close::
37503* read::
37504* write::
37505* lseek::
37506* rename::
37507* unlink::
37508* stat/fstat::
37509* gettimeofday::
37510* isatty::
37511* system::
37512@end menu
37513
37514@node open
37515@unnumberedsubsubsec open
37516@cindex open, file-i/o system call
37517
37518@table @asis
37519@item Synopsis:
37520@smallexample
37521int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
37522int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
37523@end smallexample
37524
37525@item Request:
37526@samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
37527
37528@noindent
37529@var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
37530
37531@table @code
37532@item O_CREAT
37533If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
37534rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
37535are concerned.
37536
37537@item O_EXCL
37538When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
37539an error and open() fails.
37540
37541@item O_TRUNC
37542If the file already exists and the open mode allows
37543writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
37544truncated to zero length.
37545
37546@item O_APPEND
37547The file is opened in append mode.
37548
37549@item O_RDONLY
37550The file is opened for reading only.
37551
37552@item O_WRONLY
37553The file is opened for writing only.
37554
37555@item O_RDWR
37556The file is opened for reading and writing.
37557@end table
37558
37559@noindent
37560Other bits are silently ignored.
37561
37562
37563@noindent
37564@var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
37565
37566@table @code
37567@item S_IRUSR
37568User has read permission.
37569
37570@item S_IWUSR
37571User has write permission.
37572
37573@item S_IRGRP
37574Group has read permission.
37575
37576@item S_IWGRP
37577Group has write permission.
37578
37579@item S_IROTH
37580Others have read permission.
37581
37582@item S_IWOTH
37583Others have write permission.
37584@end table
37585
37586@noindent
37587Other bits are silently ignored.
37588
37589
37590@item Return value:
37591@code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
37592occurred.
37593
37594@item Errors:
37595
37596@table @code
37597@item EEXIST
37598@var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
37599
37600@item EISDIR
37601@var{pathname} refers to a directory.
37602
37603@item EACCES
37604The requested access is not allowed.
37605
37606@item ENAMETOOLONG
37607@var{pathname} was too long.
37608
37609@item ENOENT
37610A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
37611
37612@item ENODEV
37613@var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
37614
37615@item EROFS
37616@var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
37617write access was requested.
37618
37619@item EFAULT
37620@var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
37621
37622@item ENOSPC
37623No space on device to create the file.
37624
37625@item EMFILE
37626The process already has the maximum number of files open.
37627
37628@item ENFILE
37629The limit on the total number of files open on the system
37630has been reached.
37631
37632@item EINTR
37633The call was interrupted by the user.
37634@end table
37635
37636@end table
37637
37638@node close
37639@unnumberedsubsubsec close
37640@cindex close, file-i/o system call
37641
37642@table @asis
37643@item Synopsis:
37644@smallexample
37645int close(int fd);
37646@end smallexample
37647
37648@item Request:
37649@samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
37650
37651@item Return value:
37652@code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
37653
37654@item Errors:
37655
37656@table @code
37657@item EBADF
37658@var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
37659
37660@item EINTR
37661The call was interrupted by the user.
37662@end table
37663
37664@end table
37665
37666@node read
37667@unnumberedsubsubsec read
37668@cindex read, file-i/o system call
37669
37670@table @asis
37671@item Synopsis:
37672@smallexample
37673int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
37674@end smallexample
37675
37676@item Request:
37677@samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
37678
37679@item Return value:
37680On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
37681Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
37682returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
37683
37684@item Errors:
37685
37686@table @code
37687@item EBADF
37688@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
37689reading.
37690
37691@item EFAULT
37692@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37693
37694@item EINTR
37695The call was interrupted by the user.
37696@end table
37697
37698@end table
37699
37700@node write
37701@unnumberedsubsubsec write
37702@cindex write, file-i/o system call
37703
37704@table @asis
37705@item Synopsis:
37706@smallexample
37707int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
37708@end smallexample
37709
37710@item Request:
37711@samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
37712
37713@item Return value:
37714On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
37715Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
37716is returned.
37717
37718@item Errors:
37719
37720@table @code
37721@item EBADF
37722@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
37723writing.
37724
37725@item EFAULT
37726@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37727
37728@item EFBIG
37729An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
37730host-specific maximum file size allowed.
37731
37732@item ENOSPC
37733No space on device to write the data.
37734
37735@item EINTR
37736The call was interrupted by the user.
37737@end table
37738
37739@end table
37740
37741@node lseek
37742@unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
37743@cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
37744
37745@table @asis
37746@item Synopsis:
37747@smallexample
37748long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
37749@end smallexample
37750
37751@item Request:
37752@samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
37753
37754@var{flag} is one of:
37755
37756@table @code
37757@item SEEK_SET
37758The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
37759
37760@item SEEK_CUR
37761The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
37762bytes.
37763
37764@item SEEK_END
37765The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
37766bytes.
37767@end table
37768
37769@item Return value:
37770On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
37771the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
37772value of -1 is returned.
37773
37774@item Errors:
37775
37776@table @code
37777@item EBADF
37778@var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
37779
37780@item ESPIPE
37781@var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
37782
37783@item EINVAL
37784@var{flag} is not a proper value.
37785
37786@item EINTR
37787The call was interrupted by the user.
37788@end table
37789
37790@end table
37791
37792@node rename
37793@unnumberedsubsubsec rename
37794@cindex rename, file-i/o system call
37795
37796@table @asis
37797@item Synopsis:
37798@smallexample
37799int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
37800@end smallexample
37801
37802@item Request:
37803@samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
37804
37805@item Return value:
37806On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
37807
37808@item Errors:
37809
37810@table @code
37811@item EISDIR
37812@var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
37813directory.
37814
37815@item EEXIST
37816@var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
37817
37818@item EBUSY
37819@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
37820process.
37821
37822@item EINVAL
37823An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
37824of itself.
37825
37826@item ENOTDIR
37827A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
37828path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
37829and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
37830
37831@item EFAULT
37832@var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
37833
37834@item EACCES
37835No access to the file or the path of the file.
37836
37837@item ENAMETOOLONG
37838
37839@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
37840
37841@item ENOENT
37842A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
37843
37844@item EROFS
37845The file is on a read-only filesystem.
37846
37847@item ENOSPC
37848The device containing the file has no room for the new
37849directory entry.
37850
37851@item EINTR
37852The call was interrupted by the user.
37853@end table
37854
37855@end table
37856
37857@node unlink
37858@unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
37859@cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
37860
37861@table @asis
37862@item Synopsis:
37863@smallexample
37864int unlink(const char *pathname);
37865@end smallexample
37866
37867@item Request:
37868@samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
37869
37870@item Return value:
37871On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
37872
37873@item Errors:
37874
37875@table @code
37876@item EACCES
37877No access to the file or the path of the file.
37878
37879@item EPERM
37880The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
37881
37882@item EBUSY
37883The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
37884being used by another process.
37885
37886@item EFAULT
37887@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37888
37889@item ENAMETOOLONG
37890@var{pathname} was too long.
37891
37892@item ENOENT
37893A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
37894
37895@item ENOTDIR
37896A component of the path is not a directory.
37897
37898@item EROFS
37899The file is on a read-only filesystem.
37900
37901@item EINTR
37902The call was interrupted by the user.
37903@end table
37904
37905@end table
37906
37907@node stat/fstat
37908@unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
37909@cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
37910@cindex stat, file-i/o system call
37911
37912@table @asis
37913@item Synopsis:
37914@smallexample
37915int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
37916int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
37917@end smallexample
37918
37919@item Request:
37920@samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
37921@samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
37922
37923@item Return value:
37924On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
37925
37926@item Errors:
37927
37928@table @code
37929@item EBADF
37930@var{fd} is not a valid open file.
37931
37932@item ENOENT
37933A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
37934path is an empty string.
37935
37936@item ENOTDIR
37937A component of the path is not a directory.
37938
37939@item EFAULT
37940@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37941
37942@item EACCES
37943No access to the file or the path of the file.
37944
37945@item ENAMETOOLONG
37946@var{pathname} was too long.
37947
37948@item EINTR
37949The call was interrupted by the user.
37950@end table
37951
37952@end table
37953
37954@node gettimeofday
37955@unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
37956@cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
37957
37958@table @asis
37959@item Synopsis:
37960@smallexample
37961int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
37962@end smallexample
37963
37964@item Request:
37965@samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
37966
37967@item Return value:
37968On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
37969
37970@item Errors:
37971
37972@table @code
37973@item EINVAL
37974@var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
37975
37976@item EFAULT
37977@var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
37978@end table
37979
37980@end table
37981
37982@node isatty
37983@unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
37984@cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
37985
37986@table @asis
37987@item Synopsis:
37988@smallexample
37989int isatty(int fd);
37990@end smallexample
37991
37992@item Request:
37993@samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
37994
37995@item Return value:
37996Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
37997
37998@item Errors:
37999
38000@table @code
38001@item EINTR
38002The call was interrupted by the user.
38003@end table
38004
38005@end table
38006
38007Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
380081 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
38009to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
38010would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
38011needed.
38012
38013
38014@node system
38015@unnumberedsubsubsec system
38016@cindex system, file-i/o system call
38017
38018@table @asis
38019@item Synopsis:
38020@smallexample
38021int system(const char *command);
38022@end smallexample
38023
38024@item Request:
38025@samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
38026
38027@item Return value:
38028If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
38029available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
38030For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
38031return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
38032command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
38033return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
38034@file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
38035
38036@item Errors:
38037
38038@table @code
38039@item EINTR
38040The call was interrupted by the user.
38041@end table
38042
38043@end table
38044
38045@value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
38046to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
38047the host is simplified before it's returned
38048to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
38049is discarded, and the return value consists
38050entirely of the exit status of the called command.
38051
38052Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
38053by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
38054@code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
38055
38056@table @code
38057@item set remote system-call-allowed
38058@kindex set remote system-call-allowed
38059Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
38060protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
38061
38062@item show remote system-call-allowed
38063@kindex show remote system-call-allowed
38064Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
38065protocol.
38066@end table
38067
38068@node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
38069@subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
38070@cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
38071
38072@menu
38073* Integral Datatypes::
38074* Pointer Values::
38075* Memory Transfer::
38076* struct stat::
38077* struct timeval::
38078@end menu
38079
38080@node Integral Datatypes
38081@unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
38082@cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
38083
38084The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
38085@code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
38086@code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
38087
38088@code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
38089implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
38090
38091@code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
38092
38093@xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
38094in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
38095
38096@code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
38097
38098All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
38099structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
38100byte order.
38101
38102@node Pointer Values
38103@unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
38104@cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
38105
38106Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
38107is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
38108transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
38109are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
38110
38111@smallexample
38112@code{1aaf/12}
38113@end smallexample
38114
38115@noindent
38116which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
38117The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
38118the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
38119at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
38120
38121@smallexample
38122@code{123456/d}
38123@end smallexample
38124
38125@node Memory Transfer
38126@unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
38127@cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
38128
38129Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
38130example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
38131with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
38132this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
38133packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
38134it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
38135data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
38136
38137
38138@node struct stat
38139@unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
38140@cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
38141
38142The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
38143is defined as follows:
38144
38145@smallexample
38146struct stat @{
38147 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
38148 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
38149 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
38150 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
38151 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
38152 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
38153 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
38154 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
38155 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
38156 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
38157 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
38158 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
38159 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
38160@};
38161@end smallexample
38162
38163The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
38164appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
38165structure is of size 64 bytes.
38166
38167The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
38168range of values.
38169
38170@table @code
38171
38172@item st_dev
38173A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
38174
38175@item st_ino
38176No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
38177
38178@item st_mode
38179Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
38180bits have currently no meaning for the target.
38181
38182@item st_uid
38183@itemx st_gid
38184@itemx st_rdev
38185No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
38186
38187@item st_atime
38188@itemx st_mtime
38189@itemx st_ctime
38190These values have a host and file system dependent
38191accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
38192support exact timing values.
38193@end table
38194
38195The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
38196responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
38197continuing.
38198
38199Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
38200representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
38201get truncated on the target.
38202
38203@node struct timeval
38204@unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
38205@cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
38206
38207The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
38208is defined as follows:
38209
38210@smallexample
38211struct timeval @{
38212 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
38213 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
38214@};
38215@end smallexample
38216
38217The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
38218appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
38219structure is of size 8 bytes.
38220
38221@node Constants
38222@subsection Constants
38223@cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
38224
38225The following values are used for the constants inside of the
38226protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
38227values before and after the call as needed.
38228
38229@menu
38230* Open Flags::
38231* mode_t Values::
38232* Errno Values::
38233* Lseek Flags::
38234* Limits::
38235@end menu
38236
38237@node Open Flags
38238@unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
38239@cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
38240
38241All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
38242
38243@smallexample
38244 O_RDONLY 0x0
38245 O_WRONLY 0x1
38246 O_RDWR 0x2
38247 O_APPEND 0x8
38248 O_CREAT 0x200
38249 O_TRUNC 0x400
38250 O_EXCL 0x800
38251@end smallexample
38252
38253@node mode_t Values
38254@unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
38255@cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
38256
38257All values are given in octal representation.
38258
38259@smallexample
38260 S_IFREG 0100000
38261 S_IFDIR 040000
38262 S_IRUSR 0400
38263 S_IWUSR 0200
38264 S_IXUSR 0100
38265 S_IRGRP 040
38266 S_IWGRP 020
38267 S_IXGRP 010
38268 S_IROTH 04
38269 S_IWOTH 02
38270 S_IXOTH 01
38271@end smallexample
38272
38273@node Errno Values
38274@unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
38275@cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
38276
38277All values are given in decimal representation.
38278
38279@smallexample
38280 EPERM 1
38281 ENOENT 2
38282 EINTR 4
38283 EBADF 9
38284 EACCES 13
38285 EFAULT 14
38286 EBUSY 16
38287 EEXIST 17
38288 ENODEV 19
38289 ENOTDIR 20
38290 EISDIR 21
38291 EINVAL 22
38292 ENFILE 23
38293 EMFILE 24
38294 EFBIG 27
38295 ENOSPC 28
38296 ESPIPE 29
38297 EROFS 30
38298 ENAMETOOLONG 91
38299 EUNKNOWN 9999
38300@end smallexample
38301
38302 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
38303 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
38304
38305@node Lseek Flags
38306@unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
38307@cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
38308
38309@smallexample
38310 SEEK_SET 0
38311 SEEK_CUR 1
38312 SEEK_END 2
38313@end smallexample
38314
38315@node Limits
38316@unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
38317@cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
38318
38319All values are given in decimal representation.
38320
38321@smallexample
38322 INT_MIN -2147483648
38323 INT_MAX 2147483647
38324 UINT_MAX 4294967295
38325 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
38326 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
38327 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
38328@end smallexample
38329
38330@node File-I/O Examples
38331@subsection File-I/O Examples
38332@cindex file-i/o examples
38333
38334Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
38335address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
38336
38337@smallexample
38338<- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
38339@emph{request memory read from target}
38340-> @code{m1234,6}
38341<- XXXXXX
38342@emph{return "6 bytes written"}
38343-> @code{F6}
38344@end smallexample
38345
38346Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
38347address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
38348
38349@smallexample
38350<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38351@emph{request memory write to target}
38352-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
38353@emph{return "6 bytes read"}
38354-> @code{F6}
38355@end smallexample
38356
38357Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
38358file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
38359
38360@smallexample
38361<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38362-> @code{F-1,9}
38363@end smallexample
38364
38365Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
38366host is called:
38367
38368@smallexample
38369<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38370-> @code{F-1,4,C}
38371<- @code{T02}
38372@end smallexample
38373
38374Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
38375host is called:
38376
38377@smallexample
38378<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
38379-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
38380<- @code{T02}
38381@end smallexample
38382
38383@node Library List Format
38384@section Library List Format
38385@cindex library list format, remote protocol
38386
38387On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
38388same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
38389@value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
38390operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
38391platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
38392@value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
38393through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38394packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
38395queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
38396are loaded.
38397
38398The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
38399lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
38400associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
38401which report where the library was loaded in memory.
38402
38403For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
38404library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
38405dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
38406should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
38407section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
38408depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
38409
38410@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38411library lists. @xref{Expat}.
38412
38413A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
38414offset, looks like this:
38415
38416@smallexample
38417<library-list>
38418 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
38419 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
38420 </library>
38421</library-list>
38422@end smallexample
38423
38424Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
38425allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
38426
38427@smallexample
38428<library-list>
38429 <library name="sharedlib.o">
38430 <section address="0x10000000"/>
38431 <section address="0x20000000"/>
38432 <section address="0x30000000"/>
38433 </library>
38434</library-list>
38435@end smallexample
38436
38437The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
38438
38439@smallexample
38440<!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
38441<!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
38442<!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38443<!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
38444<!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38445<!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
38446<!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
38447<!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
38448<!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
38449@end smallexample
38450
38451In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
38452single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
38453section for each library.
38454
38455@node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
38456@section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
38457@cindex library list format, remote protocol
38458
38459On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
38460(e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
38461shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
38462more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
38463
38464The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
38465loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
38466target, the following parameters are reported:
38467
38468@itemize @minus
38469@item
38470@code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
38471@code{struct link_map}.
38472@item
38473@code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
38474(Thread Local Storage) access.
38475@item
38476@code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
38477@code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
38478memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
38479address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
38480@item
38481@code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
38482@end itemize
38483
38484Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
38485@code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
38486for TLS access and its presence is optional.
38487
38488@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38489SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
38490
38491A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
38492looks like this:
38493
38494@smallexample
38495<library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
38496 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
38497 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
38498 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
38499 l_ld="0x152350"/>
38500</library-list-svr>
38501@end smallexample
38502
38503The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
38504
38505@smallexample
38506<!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
38507<!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
38508<!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38509<!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
38510<!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
38511<!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38512<!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
38513<!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
38514<!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
38515@end smallexample
38516
38517@node Memory Map Format
38518@section Memory Map Format
38519@cindex memory map format
38520
38521To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
38522memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
38523memory map.
38524
38525The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38526(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
38527lists memory regions.
38528
38529@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38530memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
38531
38532The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38533
38534@smallexample
38535<?xml version="1.0"?>
38536<!DOCTYPE memory-map
38537 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
38538 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
38539<memory-map>
38540 region...
38541</memory-map>
38542@end smallexample
38543
38544Each region can be either:
38545
38546@itemize
38547
38548@item
38549A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
38550bytes from there:
38551
38552@smallexample
38553<memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38554@end smallexample
38555
38556
38557@item
38558A region of read-only memory:
38559
38560@smallexample
38561<memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38562@end smallexample
38563
38564
38565@item
38566A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
38567bytes in length:
38568
38569@smallexample
38570<memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
38571 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
38572</memory>
38573@end smallexample
38574
38575@end itemize
38576
38577Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
38578by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
38579packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
38580
38581The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
38582
38583@smallexample
38584<!-- ................................................... -->
38585<!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
38586<!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
38587<!-- .................................... .............. -->
38588<!-- memory-map.dtd -->
38589<!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
38590<!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
38591<!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
38592<!ELEMENT memory (property)>
38593<!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
38594 and its type, or device. -->
38595<!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
38596 start CDATA #REQUIRED
38597 length CDATA #REQUIRED
38598 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
38599<!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
38600<!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
38601<!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
38602@end smallexample
38603
38604@node Thread List Format
38605@section Thread List Format
38606@cindex thread list format
38607
38608To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
38609@value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38610(@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
38611the following structure:
38612
38613@smallexample
38614<?xml version="1.0"?>
38615<threads>
38616 <thread id="id" core="0">
38617 ... description ...
38618 </thread>
38619</threads>
38620@end smallexample
38621
38622Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
38623identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
38624@samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
38625the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
38626element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
38627
38628@node Traceframe Info Format
38629@section Traceframe Info Format
38630@cindex traceframe info format
38631
38632To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
38633inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
38634memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
38635collected in a traceframe.
38636
38637This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38638(@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
38639
38640@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38641traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
38642
38643The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38644
38645@smallexample
38646<?xml version="1.0"?>
38647<!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
38648 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
38649 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
38650<traceframe-info>
38651 block...
38652</traceframe-info>
38653@end smallexample
38654
38655Each traceframe block can be either:
38656
38657@itemize
38658
38659@item
38660A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
38661@var{length} bytes from there:
38662
38663@smallexample
38664<memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
38665@end smallexample
38666
38667@item
38668A block indicating trace state variable numbered @var{number} has been
38669collected:
38670
38671@smallexample
38672<tvar id="@var{number}"/>
38673@end smallexample
38674
38675@end itemize
38676
38677The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
38678
38679@smallexample
38680<!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory | tvar)* >
38681<!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38682
38683<!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
38684<!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
38685 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
38686<!ELEMENT tvar>
38687<!ATTLIST tvar id CDATA #REQUIRED>
38688@end smallexample
38689
38690@node Branch Trace Format
38691@section Branch Trace Format
38692@cindex branch trace format
38693
38694In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
38695@value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
38696represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
38697branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
38698
38699This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38700(@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
38701
38702@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38703traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
38704
38705The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
38706
38707@smallexample
38708<?xml version="1.0"?>
38709<!DOCTYPE btrace
38710 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
38711 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
38712<btrace>
38713 block...
38714</btrace>
38715@end smallexample
38716
38717@itemize
38718
38719@item
38720A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
38721and ending at @var{end}:
38722
38723@smallexample
38724<block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
38725@end smallexample
38726
38727@end itemize
38728
38729The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
38730
38731@smallexample
38732<!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
38733<!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
38734
38735<!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
38736<!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
38737 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
38738@end smallexample
38739
38740@include agentexpr.texi
38741
38742@node Target Descriptions
38743@appendix Target Descriptions
38744@cindex target descriptions
38745
38746One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
38747is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
38748architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
38749a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
38750and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
38751architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
38752vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
38753
38754@itemize @bullet
38755@item
38756With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
38757the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
38758@item
38759Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
38760audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
38761variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
38762@item
38763When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
38764at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
38765@command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
38766@end itemize
38767
38768To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
38769target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
38770actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
38771processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
38772descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
38773
38774@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
38775target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
38776
38777@menu
38778* Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
38779* Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
38780* Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
38781 descriptions.
38782* Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
38783@end menu
38784
38785@node Retrieving Descriptions
38786@section Retrieving Descriptions
38787
38788Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
38789specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
38790description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
38791protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
38792qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
38793@samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
38794XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
38795Format}.
38796
38797Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
38798If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
38799specify a file are:
38800
38801@table @code
38802@cindex set tdesc filename
38803@item set tdesc filename @var{path}
38804Read the target description from @var{path}.
38805
38806@cindex unset tdesc filename
38807@item unset tdesc filename
38808Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
38809will use the description supplied by the current target.
38810
38811@cindex show tdesc filename
38812@item show tdesc filename
38813Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
38814@end table
38815
38816
38817@node Target Description Format
38818@section Target Description Format
38819@cindex target descriptions, XML format
38820
38821A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
38822document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
38823the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
38824means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
38825check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
38826However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
38827their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
38828
38829Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
38830and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
38831sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
38832@value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
38833target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
38834
38835Here is a simple target description:
38836
38837@smallexample
38838<target version="1.0">
38839 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
38840</target>
38841@end smallexample
38842
38843@noindent
38844This minimal description only says that the target uses
38845the x86-64 architecture.
38846
38847A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
38848optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
38849are explained further below.
38850
38851@smallexample
38852<?xml version="1.0"?>
38853<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
38854<target version="1.0">
38855 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
38856 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
38857 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
38858 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
38859</target>
38860@end smallexample
38861
38862@noindent
38863The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
38864breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
38865declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
38866(@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
38867useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
38868@samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
38869including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
38870revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
38871the version mismatch.
38872
38873@subsection Inclusion
38874@cindex target descriptions, inclusion
38875@cindex XInclude
38876@ifnotinfo
38877@cindex <xi:include>
38878@end ifnotinfo
38879
38880It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
38881several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
38882share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
38883divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
38884the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
38885
38886@smallexample
38887<xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
38888@end smallexample
38889
38890@noindent
38891When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
38892the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
38893the contents of that document. If the current description was read
38894using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
38895@var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
38896current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
38897@var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
38898original description.
38899
38900@subsection Architecture
38901@cindex <architecture>
38902
38903An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
38904
38905@smallexample
38906 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
38907@end smallexample
38908
38909@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
38910@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
38911
38912@subsection OS ABI
38913@cindex @code{<osabi>}
38914
38915This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
38916Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
38917
38918An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
38919
38920@smallexample
38921 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
38922@end smallexample
38923
38924@var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
38925@w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
38926
38927@subsection Compatible Architecture
38928@cindex @code{<compatible>}
38929
38930This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
38931Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
38932
38933A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
38934
38935@smallexample
38936 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
38937@end smallexample
38938
38939@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
38940@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
38941
38942A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
38943is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
38944given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
38945Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
38946or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
38947in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
38948capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
38949
38950@smallexample
38951 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
38952 <compatible>spu</compatible>
38953@end smallexample
38954
38955@subsection Features
38956@cindex <feature>
38957
38958Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
38959system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
38960registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
38961has this form:
38962
38963@smallexample
38964<feature name="@var{name}">
38965 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
38966 @var{reg}@dots{}
38967</feature>
38968@end smallexample
38969
38970@noindent
38971Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
38972of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
38973knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
38974should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
38975
38976@subsection Types
38977
38978Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
38979interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
38980but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
38981Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
38982Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
38983
38984Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
38985a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
38986Types must be defined before they are used.
38987
38988@cindex <vector>
38989Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
38990of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
38991specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
38992@var{count}:
38993
38994@smallexample
38995<vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
38996@end smallexample
38997
38998@cindex <union>
38999If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
39000with a union type containing the useful representations. The
39001@samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
39002each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
39003
39004@smallexample
39005<union id="@var{id}">
39006 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39007 @dots{}
39008</union>
39009@end smallexample
39010
39011@cindex <struct>
39012If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
39013it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
39014element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
39015or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
39016its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
39017explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
39018integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
39019equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
39020
39021@smallexample
39022<struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39023 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39024 @dots{}
39025</struct>
39026@end smallexample
39027
39028If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
39029explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
39030
39031@smallexample
39032<struct id="@var{id}">
39033 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39034 @dots{}
39035</struct>
39036@end smallexample
39037
39038@cindex <flags>
39039If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
39040a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
39041and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
39042@var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
39043are supported.
39044
39045@smallexample
39046<flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39047 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39048 @dots{}
39049</flags>
39050@end smallexample
39051
39052@subsection Registers
39053@cindex <reg>
39054
39055Each register is represented as an element with this form:
39056
39057@smallexample
39058<reg name="@var{name}"
39059 bitsize="@var{size}"
39060 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
39061 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
39062 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
39063 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
39064@end smallexample
39065
39066@noindent
39067The components are as follows:
39068
39069@table @var
39070
39071@item name
39072The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
39073
39074@item bitsize
39075The register's size, in bits.
39076
39077@item regnum
39078The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
39079than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
39080a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
39081defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
39082the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
39083packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
39084in order of increasing register number.
39085
39086@item save-restore
39087Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
39088calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
39089@code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
39090some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
39091ABI.
39092
39093@item type
39094The type of the register. It may be a predefined type, a type
39095defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
39096and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
39097for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
39098architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
39099@var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
39100
39101@item group
39102The register group to which this register belongs. It must
39103be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
39104@var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
39105in @code{info registers}.
39106
39107@end table
39108
39109@node Predefined Target Types
39110@section Predefined Target Types
39111@cindex target descriptions, predefined types
39112
39113Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
39114from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
39115standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
39116types. The currently supported types are:
39117
39118@table @code
39119
39120@item int8
39121@itemx int16
39122@itemx int32
39123@itemx int64
39124@itemx int128
39125Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
39126
39127@item uint8
39128@itemx uint16
39129@itemx uint32
39130@itemx uint64
39131@itemx uint128
39132Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
39133
39134@item code_ptr
39135@itemx data_ptr
39136Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
39137any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
39138pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
39139address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
39140may be marked as data pointers.
39141
39142@item ieee_single
39143Single precision IEEE floating point.
39144
39145@item ieee_double
39146Double precision IEEE floating point.
39147
39148@item arm_fpa_ext
39149The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
39150
39151@item i387_ext
39152The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
39153
39154@item i386_eflags
3915532bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
39156
39157@item i386_mxcsr
3915832bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
39159
39160@end table
39161
39162@node Standard Target Features
39163@section Standard Target Features
39164@cindex target descriptions, standard features
39165
39166A target description must contain either no registers or all the
39167target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
39168@value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
39169the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
39170default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
39171described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
39172can recognize them.
39173
39174This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
39175which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
39176with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
39177if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
39178feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
39179description. You can add additional registers to any of the
39180standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
39181they were added to an unrecognized feature.
39182
39183This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
39184Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
39185@value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
39186
39187Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
39188company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
39189architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
39190containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
39191
39192The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
39193of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
39194registers using the capitalization used in the description.
39195
39196@menu
39197* AArch64 Features::
39198* ARM Features::
39199* i386 Features::
39200* MicroBlaze Features::
39201* MIPS Features::
39202* M68K Features::
39203* Nios II Features::
39204* PowerPC Features::
39205* S/390 and System z Features::
39206* TIC6x Features::
39207@end menu
39208
39209
39210@node AArch64 Features
39211@subsection AArch64 Features
39212@cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
39213
39214The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
39215targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
39216@samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
39217
39218The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
39219it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
39220and @samp{fpcr}.
39221
39222@node ARM Features
39223@subsection ARM Features
39224@cindex target descriptions, ARM features
39225
39226The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
39227ARM targets.
39228It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
39229@samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
39230
39231For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
39232feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
39233registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
39234and @samp{xpsr}.
39235
39236The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
39237should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
39238
39239The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
39240it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
39241@samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
39242@samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
39243
39244The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
39245should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
39246they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
39247@value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
39248halves of the double-precision registers.
39249
39250The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
39251need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
39252VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
39253quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
39254If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
39255be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
39256
39257@node i386 Features
39258@subsection i386 Features
39259@cindex target descriptions, i386 features
39260
39261The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
39262targets. It should describe the following registers:
39263
39264@itemize @minus
39265@item
39266@samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
39267@item
39268@samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
39269@item
39270@samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
39271@samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
39272@item
39273@samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
39274@item
39275@samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
39276@samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
39277@end itemize
39278
39279The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
39280
39281The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
39282describe registers:
39283
39284@itemize @minus
39285@item
39286@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
39287@item
39288@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
39289@item
39290@samp{mxcsr}
39291@end itemize
39292
39293The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
39294@samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
39295describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
39296
39297@itemize @minus
39298@item
39299@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
39300@item
39301@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
39302@end itemize
39303
39304The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.mpx} is an optional feature representing Intel(R)
39305Memory Protection Extension (MPX). It should describe the following registers:
39306
39307@itemize @minus
39308@item
39309@samp{bnd0raw} through @samp{bnd3raw} for i386 and amd64.
39310@item
39311@samp{bndcfgu} and @samp{bndstatus} for i386 and amd64.
39312@end itemize
39313
39314The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
39315describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
39316
39317The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx512} feature is optional and requires the
39318@samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature. It should
39319describe additional @sc{xmm} registers:
39320
39321@itemize @minus
39322@item
39323@samp{xmm16h} through @samp{xmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
39324@end itemize
39325
39326It should describe the upper 128 bits of additional @sc{ymm} registers:
39327
39328@itemize @minus
39329@item
39330@samp{ymm16h} through @samp{ymm31h}, only valid for amd64.
39331@end itemize
39332
39333It should
39334describe the upper 256 bits of @sc{zmm} registers:
39335
39336@itemize @minus
39337@item
39338@samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm7h} for i386.
39339@item
39340@samp{zmm0h} through @samp{zmm15h} for amd64.
39341@end itemize
39342
39343It should
39344describe the additional @sc{zmm} registers:
39345
39346@itemize @minus
39347@item
39348@samp{zmm16h} through @samp{zmm31h}, only valid for amd64.
39349@end itemize
39350
39351@node MicroBlaze Features
39352@subsection MicroBlaze Features
39353@cindex target descriptions, MicroBlaze features
39354
39355The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.core} feature is required for MicroBlaze
39356targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
39357@samp{rpc}, @samp{rmsr}, @samp{rear}, @samp{resr}, @samp{rfsr}, @samp{rbtr},
39358@samp{rpvr}, @samp{rpvr1} through @samp{rpvr11}, @samp{redr}, @samp{rpid},
39359@samp{rzpr}, @samp{rtlbx}, @samp{rtlbsx}, @samp{rtlblo}, and @samp{rtlbhi}.
39360
39361The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.microblaze.stack-protect} feature is optional.
39362If present, it should contain registers @samp{rshr} and @samp{rslr}
39363
39364@node MIPS Features
39365@subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
39366@cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
39367
39368The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
39369It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
39370@samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
39371on the target.
39372
39373The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
39374contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
39375registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39376
39377The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
39378it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
39379contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
39380@samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39381
39382The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
39383contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
39384@samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
39385be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39386
39387The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
39388contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
39389Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
39390
39391@node M68K Features
39392@subsection M68K Features
39393@cindex target descriptions, M68K features
39394
39395@table @code
39396@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
39397@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
39398@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
39399One of those features must be always present.
39400The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
39401used. The feature that is present should contain registers
39402@samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
39403@samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
39404
39405@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
39406This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
39407@samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
39408@samp{fpiaddr}.
39409@end table
39410
39411@node Nios II Features
39412@subsection Nios II Features
39413@cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
39414
39415The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
39416targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
39417@samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
39418@samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
39419@samp{mpuacc}).
39420
39421@node PowerPC Features
39422@subsection PowerPC Features
39423@cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
39424
39425The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
39426targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
39427@samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
39428@samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
39429
39430The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
39431contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
39432
39433The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
39434contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
39435and @samp{vrsave}.
39436
39437The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
39438contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
39439will combine these registers with the floating point registers
39440(@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
39441through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
39442through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
39443
39444The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
39445contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
39446@samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
39447@samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
39448@samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
39449these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
39450user.
39451
39452@node S/390 and System z Features
39453@subsection S/390 and System z Features
39454@cindex target descriptions, S/390 features
39455@cindex target descriptions, System z features
39456
39457The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.core} feature is required for S/390 and
39458System z targets. It should contain the PSW and the 16 general
39459registers. In particular, System z targets should provide the 64-bit
39460registers @samp{pswm}, @samp{pswa}, and @samp{r0} through @samp{r15}.
39461S/390 targets should provide the 32-bit versions of these registers.
39462A System z target that runs in 31-bit addressing mode should provide
3946332-bit versions of @samp{pswm} and @samp{pswa}, as well as the general
39464register's upper halves @samp{r0h} through @samp{r15h}, and their
39465lower halves @samp{r0l} through @samp{r15l}.
39466
39467The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.fpr} feature is required. It should
39468contain the 64-bit registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f15}, and
39469@samp{fpc}.
39470
39471The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.acr} feature is required. It should
39472contain the 32-bit registers @samp{acr0} through @samp{acr15}.
39473
39474The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.linux} feature is optional. It should
39475contain the register @samp{orig_r2}, which is 64-bit wide on System z
39476targets and 32-bit otherwise. In addition, the feature may contain
39477the @samp{last_break} register, whose width depends on the addressing
39478mode, as well as the @samp{system_call} register, which is always
3947932-bit wide.
39480
39481The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.s390.tdb} feature is optional. It should
39482contain the 64-bit registers @samp{tdb0}, @samp{tac}, @samp{tct},
39483@samp{atia}, and @samp{tr0} through @samp{tr15}.
39484
39485@node TIC6x Features
39486@subsection TMS320C6x Features
39487@cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
39488@cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
39489The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
39490targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
39491registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
39492
39493The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
39494contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
39495through @samp{B31}.
39496
39497The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
39498contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
39499
39500@node Operating System Information
39501@appendix Operating System Information
39502@cindex operating system information
39503
39504@menu
39505* Process list::
39506@end menu
39507
39508Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
39509the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
39510processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
39511mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
39512target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
39513on a different aspect of target.
39514
39515Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
39516remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
39517read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
39518the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
39519
39520@node Process list
39521@appendixsection Process list
39522@cindex operating system information, process list
39523
39524When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
39525@samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
39526an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
39527@file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
39528
39529An example document is:
39530
39531@smallexample
39532<?xml version="1.0"?>
39533<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
39534<osdata type="processes">
39535 <item>
39536 <column name="pid">1</column>
39537 <column name="user">root</column>
39538 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
39539 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
39540 </item>
39541</osdata>
39542@end smallexample
39543
39544Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
39545of that column should identify the process on the target. The
39546@samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
39547displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
39548should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
39549is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
39550which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
39551
39552@node Trace File Format
39553@appendix Trace File Format
39554@cindex trace file format
39555
39556The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
39557section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
39558
39559The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
39560@code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
39561while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
39562in the future.
39563
39564The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
39565separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
39566variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
39567as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
39568ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
39569of this section.
39570
39571@c FIXME add some specific types of data
39572
39573The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
39574Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
39575four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
39576the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
39577character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
39578state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
39579hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
39580endianness.
39581
39582@c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
39583
39584@table @code
39585@item R @var{bytes}
39586Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
39587@code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
39588actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
39589hexadecimal encoding.
39590
39591@item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
39592Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
39593address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
39594@var{length} bytes.
39595
39596@item V @var{number} @var{value}
39597Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
39598@var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
39599
39600@end table
39601
39602Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
39603of blocks.
39604
39605@node Index Section Format
39606@appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
39607@cindex .gdb_index section format
39608@cindex index section format
39609
39610This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
39611gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
39612DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
39613description.
39614
39615The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
39616@code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
39617represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
39618@code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
39619before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
39620laid out such that alignment is always respected.
39621
39622A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
39623
39624@enumerate
39625@item
39626The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
39627unless otherwise noted:
39628
39629@enumerate
39630@item
39631The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
39632Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
39633Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
39634and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
39635symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
39636(@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
39637compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
39638
39639@value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
39640by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
39641GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
39642currently not flagged as deprecated.
39643
39644@item
39645The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
39646
39647@item
39648The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
39649that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
39650to the next offset.
39651
39652@item
39653The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
39654
39655@item
39656The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
39657
39658@item
39659The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
39660@end enumerate
39661
39662@item
39663The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
39664values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
39665the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
39666element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
39667elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
396680-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
39669conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
39670CU indices.
39671
39672@item
39673The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
39674little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
39675the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
39676the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
39677
39678@item
39679The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
39680entries. Each address entry has three elements:
39681
39682@enumerate
39683@item
39684The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
39685
39686@item
39687The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
39688@code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
39689
39690@item
39691The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
39692@end enumerate
39693
39694@item
39695The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
39696the hash table is always a power of 2.
39697
39698Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
39699values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
39700constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
39701constant pool.
39702
39703If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
39704is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
39705valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
39706
39707The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
39708iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
39709initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
39710the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
39711index version:
39712
39713@table @asis
39714@item Version 4
39715The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
39716
39717@item Versions 5 to 7
39718The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
39719@end table
39720
39721The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
39722
39723The step size used in the hash table is computed via
39724@code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
39725value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
39726is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
39727collision.
39728
39729The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
39730don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
39731algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
39732the code.
39733
39734@item
39735The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
39736so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
39737strings.
39738
39739A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
39740values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
39741Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
39742the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
39743CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
39744See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
39745
39746A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
39747@end enumerate
39748
39749Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
39750If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
39751CU index+attributes value for each use.
39752
39753The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
39754(bit 0 = LSB):
39755
39756@table @asis
39757
39758@item Bits 0-23
39759This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
39760@item Bits 24-27
39761These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
39762@item Bits 28-30
39763The kind of the symbol in the CU.
39764
39765@table @asis
39766@item 0
39767This value is reserved and should not be used.
39768By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
39769with previous versions of the index.
39770@item 1
39771The symbol is a type.
39772@item 2
39773The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
39774@item 3
39775The symbol is a function.
39776@item 4
39777Any other kind of symbol.
39778@item 5,6,7
39779These values are reserved.
39780@end table
39781
39782@item Bit 31
39783This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
39784
39785The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
39786The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
39787@value{GDBN} sources.
39788
39789@end table
39790
39791This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
39792global/static attributes in the index.
39793
39794@smallexample
39795is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
39796language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
39797switch (die->tag)
39798 @{
39799 case DW_TAG_typedef:
39800 case DW_TAG_base_type:
39801 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
39802 kind = TYPE;
39803 is_static = 1;
39804 break;
39805 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
39806 kind = VARIABLE;
39807 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
39808 break;
39809 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
39810 kind = FUNCTION;
39811 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
39812 break;
39813 case DW_TAG_constant:
39814 kind = VARIABLE;
39815 is_static = ! is_external;
39816 break;
39817 case DW_TAG_variable:
39818 kind = VARIABLE;
39819 is_static = ! is_external;
39820 break;
39821 case DW_TAG_namespace:
39822 kind = TYPE;
39823 is_static = 0;
39824 break;
39825 case DW_TAG_class_type:
39826 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
39827 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
39828 case DW_TAG_union_type:
39829 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
39830 kind = TYPE;
39831 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
39832 break;
39833 default:
39834 assert (0);
39835 @}
39836@end smallexample
39837
39838@node Man Pages
39839@appendix Manual pages
39840@cindex Man pages
39841
39842@menu
39843* gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
39844* gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
39845* gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
39846* gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
39847@end menu
39848
39849@node gdb man
39850@heading gdb man
39851
39852@c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
39853
39854@c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
39855gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
39856[@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
39857[@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
39858 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
39859[@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
39860[@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
39861 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
39862[@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
39863@c man end
39864
39865@c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
39866The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
39867going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
39868program was doing at the moment it crashed.
39869
39870@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
39871these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
39872
39873@itemize @bullet
39874@item
39875Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
39876
39877@item
39878Make your program stop on specified conditions.
39879
39880@item
39881Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
39882
39883@item
39884Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
39885effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
39886@end itemize
39887
39888You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
39889Modula-2.
39890
39891@value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
39892commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
39893command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
39894by using the command @code{help}.
39895
39896You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
39897usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
39898executable program as the argument:
39899
39900@smallexample
39901gdb program
39902@end smallexample
39903
39904You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
39905
39906@smallexample
39907gdb program core
39908@end smallexample
39909
39910You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
39911to debug a running process:
39912
39913@smallexample
39914gdb program 1234
39915gdb -p 1234
39916@end smallexample
39917
39918@noindent
39919would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
39920named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
39921With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
39922
39923Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
39924
39925@c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
39926@table @env
39927@item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
39928Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
39929
39930@item run [@var{arglist}]
39931Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
39932
39933@item bt
39934Backtrace: display the program stack.
39935
39936@item print @var{expr}
39937Display the value of an expression.
39938
39939@item c
39940Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
39941
39942@item next
39943Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
39944function calls in the line.
39945
39946@item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
39947look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
39948
39949@item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
39950type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
39951
39952@item step
39953Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
39954function calls in the line.
39955
39956@item help [@var{name}]
39957Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
39958about using @value{GDBN}.
39959
39960@item quit
39961Exit from @value{GDBN}.
39962@end table
39963
39964@ifset man
39965For full details on @value{GDBN},
39966see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
39967by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
39968as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
39969@end ifset
39970@c man end
39971
39972@c man begin OPTIONS gdb
39973Any arguments other than options specify an executable
39974file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
39975encountered with no
39976associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
39977if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
39978Many options have
39979both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
39980recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
39981present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
39982arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
39983more usual convention.)
39984
39985All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
39986in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
39987option is used.
39988
39989@table @env
39990@item -help
39991@itemx -h
39992List all options, with brief explanations.
39993
39994@item -symbols=@var{file}
39995@itemx -s @var{file}
39996Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
39997
39998@item -write
39999Enable writing into executable and core files.
40000
40001@item -exec=@var{file}
40002@itemx -e @var{file}
40003Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
40004appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
40005dump.
40006
40007@item -se=@var{file}
40008Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
40009file.
40010
40011@item -core=@var{file}
40012@itemx -c @var{file}
40013Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
40014
40015@item -command=@var{file}
40016@itemx -x @var{file}
40017Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
40018
40019@item -ex @var{command}
40020Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
40021
40022@item -directory=@var{directory}
40023@itemx -d @var{directory}
40024Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
40025
40026@item -nh
40027Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
40028
40029@item -nx
40030@itemx -n
40031Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
40032
40033@item -quiet
40034@itemx -q
40035``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
40036messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
40037
40038@item -batch
40039Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
40040files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
40041Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
40042commands in the command files.
40043
40044Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
40045download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
40046more useful, the message
40047
40048@smallexample
40049Program exited normally.
40050@end smallexample
40051
40052@noindent
40053(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
40054terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
40055
40056@item -cd=@var{directory}
40057Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
40058instead of the current directory.
40059
40060@item -fullname
40061@itemx -f
40062Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
40063@value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
40064recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
40065includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
40066like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
40067and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
40068Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
40069characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
40070
40071@item -b @var{bps}
40072Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
40073interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
40074
40075@item -tty=@var{device}
40076Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
40077@end table
40078@c man end
40079
40080@c man begin SEEALSO gdb
40081@ifset man
40082The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40083If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40084documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40085
40086@smallexample
40087info gdb
40088@end smallexample
40089
40090@noindent
40091should give you access to the complete manual.
40092
40093@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40094Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40095@end ifset
40096@c man end
40097
40098@node gdbserver man
40099@heading gdbserver man
40100
40101@c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
40102@format
40103@c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
40104gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
40105
40106gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40107
40108gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40109@c man end
40110@end format
40111
40112@c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
40113@command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
40114than the one which is running the program being debugged.
40115
40116@ifclear man
40117@subheading Usage (server (target) side)
40118@end ifclear
40119@ifset man
40120Usage (server (target) side):
40121@end ifset
40122
40123First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
40124the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
40125@command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
40126the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
40127
40128To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
40129program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
40130your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
40131
40132@smallexample
40133target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
40134@end smallexample
40135
40136For example, using a serial port, you might say:
40137
40138@smallexample
40139@ifset man
40140@c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
40141target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
40142@end ifset
40143@ifclear man
40144target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
40145@end ifclear
40146@end smallexample
40147
40148This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
40149to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
40150waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
40151
40152To use a TCP connection, you could say:
40153
40154@smallexample
40155target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
40156@end smallexample
40157
40158This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
40159going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
40160that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
401612345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
40162want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
40163ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
40164@value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
40165you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
40166print an error message and exit.
40167
40168@command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
40169This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
40170
40171@smallexample
40172target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40173@end smallexample
40174
40175@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
40176necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
40177
40178To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
40179or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
40180In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
40181the program you want to debug.
40182
40183@smallexample
40184target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40185@end smallexample
40186
40187@ifclear man
40188@subheading Usage (host side)
40189@end ifclear
40190@ifset man
40191Usage (host side):
40192@end ifset
40193
40194You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
40195@value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
40196would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
40197@option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
40198That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
40199new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
40200(or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
40201a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
40202descriptor. For example:
40203
40204@smallexample
40205@ifset man
40206@c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
40207(gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
40208@end ifset
40209@ifclear man
40210(gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
40211@end ifclear
40212@end smallexample
40213
40214@noindent
40215communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
40216
40217@smallexample
40218(gdb) target remote the-target:2345
40219@end smallexample
40220
40221@noindent
40222communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
40223you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
40224TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
40225command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
40226`Connection refused'.
40227
40228@command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
40229described in
40230@ifset man
40231the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
40232-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
40233@end ifset
40234@ifclear man
40235@ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
40236@end ifclear
40237In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
40238
40239@smallexample
40240(gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
40241@end smallexample
40242
40243The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
40244case.
40245@c man end
40246
40247@c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
40248There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
40249
40250@itemize @bullet
40251
40252@item
40253Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
40254
40255@smallexample
40256gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
40257@end smallexample
40258
40259The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
40260with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
40261a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
40262stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
40263debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
40264program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
40265connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
40266
40267@item
40268Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
40269program:
40270
40271@smallexample
40272gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40273@end smallexample
40274
40275The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
40276of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
40277else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
40278@value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
40279
40280@item
40281Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
40282
40283@smallexample
40284gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40285@end smallexample
40286
40287In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
40288command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
40289close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
40290debug several processes in the same session.
40291@end itemize
40292
40293In each of the modes you may specify these options:
40294
40295@table @env
40296
40297@item --help
40298List all options, with brief explanations.
40299
40300@item --version
40301This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
40302
40303@item --attach
40304@command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
40305
40306@smallexample
40307target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
40308@end smallexample
40309
40310@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
40311necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
40312
40313@item --multi
40314To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
40315or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
40316Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
40317the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
40318
40319@smallexample
40320target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
40321@end smallexample
40322
40323@item --debug
40324Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
40325process.
40326This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
40327the developers.
40328
40329@item --remote-debug
40330Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
40331This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
40332the developers.
40333
40334@item --debug-format=option1@r{[},option2,...@r{]}
40335Instruct @code{gdbserver} to include extra information in each line
40336of debugging output.
40337@xref{Other Command-Line Arguments for gdbserver}.
40338
40339@item --wrapper
40340Specify a wrapper to launch programs
40341for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
40342wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
40343@kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
40344
40345@item --once
40346By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
40347additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
40348with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
40349connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
40350
40351@c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
40352
40353@c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
40354@c QDisableRandomization.
40355
40356@end table
40357@c man end
40358
40359@c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
40360@ifset man
40361The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40362If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40363documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40364
40365@smallexample
40366info gdb
40367@end smallexample
40368
40369should give you access to the complete manual.
40370
40371@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40372Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40373@end ifset
40374@c man end
40375
40376@node gcore man
40377@heading gcore
40378
40379@c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
40380
40381@format
40382@c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
40383gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
40384@c man end
40385@end format
40386
40387@c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
40388Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
40389Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
40390crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
40391limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
40392running without any change.
40393@c man end
40394
40395@c man begin OPTIONS gcore
40396@table @env
40397@item -o @var{filename}
40398The optional argument
40399@var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
40400If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
40401where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
40402@end table
40403@c man end
40404
40405@c man begin SEEALSO gcore
40406@ifset man
40407The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40408If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40409documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40410
40411@smallexample
40412info gdb
40413@end smallexample
40414
40415@noindent
40416should give you access to the complete manual.
40417
40418@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40419Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40420@end ifset
40421@c man end
40422
40423@node gdbinit man
40424@heading gdbinit
40425
40426@c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
40427
40428@format
40429@c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
40430@ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
40431@value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
40432@end ifset
40433
40434~/.gdbinit
40435
40436./.gdbinit
40437@c man end
40438@end format
40439
40440@c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
40441These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
40442@value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
40443described in
40444@ifset man
40445the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
40446-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
40447@end ifset
40448@ifclear man
40449@ref{Sequences}.
40450@end ifclear
40451
40452Please read more in
40453@ifset man
40454the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
40455-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
40456@end ifset
40457@ifclear man
40458@ref{Startup}.
40459@end ifclear
40460
40461@table @env
40462@ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
40463@item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
40464@end ifset
40465@ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
40466@item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
40467@end ifclear
40468System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
40469@value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
40470See more in
40471@ifset man
40472the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
40473-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
40474@end ifset
40475@ifclear man
40476@ref{System-wide configuration}.
40477@end ifclear
40478
40479@item ~/.gdbinit
40480User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
40481@value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
40482
40483@item ./.gdbinit
40484Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
40485@value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
40486See more in
40487@ifset man
40488the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
40489-- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
40490@end ifset
40491@ifclear man
40492@ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
40493@end ifclear
40494@end table
40495@c man end
40496
40497@c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
40498@ifset man
40499gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
40500
40501The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
40502If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
40503documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
40504
40505@smallexample
40506info gdb
40507@end smallexample
40508
40509should give you access to the complete manual.
40510
40511@cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
40512Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
40513@end ifset
40514@c man end
40515
40516@include gpl.texi
40517
40518@node GNU Free Documentation License
40519@appendix GNU Free Documentation License
40520@include fdl.texi
40521
40522@node Concept Index
40523@unnumbered Concept Index
40524
40525@printindex cp
40526
40527@node Command and Variable Index
40528@unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
40529
40530@printindex fn
40531
40532@tex
40533% I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
40534% meantime:
40535\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
40536\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
40537\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
40538\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
40539\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
40540\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
40541\centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
40542\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
40543\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
40544\page\colophon
40545% Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
40546@end tex
40547
40548@bye
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