* defs.h: Adjust comment.
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
... / ...
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1\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2@c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3@c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4@c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5@c
6@c %**start of header
7@c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8@c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9@setfilename gdb.info
10@c
11@include gdb-cfg.texi
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@syncodeindex ky cp
24@syncodeindex tp cp
25
26@c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27@c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28@syncodeindex vr cp
29@syncodeindex fn cp
30
31@c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32@c This is updated by GNU Press.
33@set EDITION Ninth
34
35@c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36@set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38@c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40@c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41@c manuals to an info tree.
42@dircategory Software development
43@direntry
44* Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45@end direntry
46
47@copying
48Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
491998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62@end copying
63
64@ifnottex
65This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68@value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70@value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71@end ifset
72Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74@insertcopying
75@end ifnottex
76
77@titlepage
78@title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79@subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80@sp 1
81@subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82@ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83@sp 1
84@subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85@end ifset
86@author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87@page
88@tex
89{\parskip=0pt
90\hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91\hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92\hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93}
94@end tex
95
96@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
9851 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102@insertcopying
103@page
104This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106software in general. We will miss him.
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) 1988-2010 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
164* GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166* Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167* Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168* Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169* Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170* Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171* Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172* Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173* Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175* Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177* Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178* Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180* GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
181* Index:: Index
182@end menu
183
184@end ifnottex
185
186@contents
187
188@node Summary
189@unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
190
191The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193program was doing at the moment it crashed.
194
195@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
197
198@itemize @bullet
199@item
200Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
201
202@item
203Make your program stop on specified conditions.
204
205@item
206Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
207
208@item
209Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
211@end itemize
212
213You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
216
217@cindex Modula-2
218Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
219@ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
220
221@cindex Pascal
222Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
223nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
224entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
225syntax.
226
227@cindex Fortran
228@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
229it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
230underscore.
231
232@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
233using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
234
235@menu
236* Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
237* Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
238@end menu
239
240@node Free Software
241@unnumberedsec Free Software
242
243@value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
244General Public License
245(GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
246program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
247freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
248the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
249Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
250Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
251
252Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
253you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
254from anyone else.
255
256@unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
257
258The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
259the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
260include with the free software. Many of our most important
261programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
262texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
263when an important free software package does not come with a free
264manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
265gaps today.
266
267Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
268normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
269authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
270copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
271them from the free software world.
272
273That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
274from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
275manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
276only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
277contract to make it non-free.
278
279Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
280price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
281charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
282Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
283problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
284are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
285modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
286
287The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
288free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
289commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
290accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
291
292Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
293When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
294are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
295provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
296manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
297a changed version of the program is not really available to our
298community.
299
300Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
301acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
302author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
303authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
304to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
305may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
306with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
307are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
308of the manual.
309
310However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
311content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
312media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
313obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
314manual to replace it.
315
316Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
317lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
318free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
319the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
320realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
321the free software community.
322
323If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
324the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
325license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
326don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
327will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
328option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
329what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
330try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
331is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
332
333You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
334manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
335copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
336improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
337at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
338and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
339Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
340have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
341
342The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
343published by other publishers, at
344@url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
345
346@node Contributors
347@unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
348
349Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
350other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
351development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
352of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
353to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
354file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
355blow-by-blow account.
356
357Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
358
359@quotation
360@emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
361or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
362omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
363@end quotation
364
365So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
366particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
367releases:
368Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
369Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
370Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
371Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
372Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
373Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
374John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
375Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
376and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
377
378Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
379Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
380
381Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
382in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
383Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
384demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
385much general update work leading to release 3.0).
386
387@value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
388object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
389Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
390
391David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
392the original support for encapsulated COFF.
393
394Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
395
396Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
397Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
398support.
399Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
400Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
401Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
402David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
403Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
404Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
405Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
406Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
407Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
408Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
409Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
410Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
411Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
412Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
413Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
414Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
415
416Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
417
418Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
419libraries.
420
421Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
422about several machine instruction sets.
423
424Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
425remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
426contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
427and RDI targets, respectively.
428
429Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
430command-line editing and command history.
431
432Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
433Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
434
435Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
436He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
437symbols.
438
439Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
440H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
441
442NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
443
444Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
445processors.
446
447Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
448
449Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
450
451Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
452
453Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
454watchpoints.
455
456Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
457
458Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
459
460Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
461nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
462
463The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
464support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
465(narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
466compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
467Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
468Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
469provided HP-specific information in this manual.
470
471DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
472Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
473
474Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
475development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
476fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
477Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
478Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
479Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
480Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
481addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
482JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
483Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
484Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
485Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
486Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
487Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
488Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
489
490Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
491Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
492
493Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
494Hat.
495
496Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
497people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
498Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
499Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
500Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
501with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
502
503Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
504unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
505frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
506Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
507libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
508trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
509complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
510Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
511Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
512Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
513Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
514Weigand.
515
516Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
517Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
518who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
519Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
520
521Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
522Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
523
524@node Sample Session
525@chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
526
527You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
528However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
529debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
530
531@iftex
532In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
533to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
534@end iftex
535
536@c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
537@c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
538
539One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
540processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
541quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
542definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
543session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
544then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
545same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
546@code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
547procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
548
549@smallexample
550$ @b{cd gnu/m4}
551$ @b{./m4}
552@b{define(foo,0000)}
553
554@b{foo}
5550000
556@b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
557
558@b{bar}
5590000
560@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
561
562@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
563@b{baz}
564@b{Ctrl-d}
565m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
566@end smallexample
567
568@noindent
569Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
570
571@smallexample
572$ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
573@c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
574@c FIXME... format to come out better.
575@value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
576 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
577 the conditions.
578There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
579 for details.
580
581@value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
582(@value{GDBP})
583@end smallexample
584
585@noindent
586@value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
587rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
588We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
589that examples fit in this manual.
590
591@smallexample
592(@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
593@end smallexample
594
595@noindent
596We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
597Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
598@code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
599@code{break} command.
600
601@smallexample
602(@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
603Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
604@end smallexample
605
606@noindent
607Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
608control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
609subroutine, the program runs as usual:
610
611@smallexample
612(@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
613Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
614@b{define(foo,0000)}
615
616@b{foo}
6170000
618@end smallexample
619
620@noindent
621To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
622suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
623context where it stops.
624
625@smallexample
626@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
627
628Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
629 at builtin.c:879
630879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
631@end smallexample
632
633@noindent
634Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
635the next line of the current function.
636
637@smallexample
638(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
639882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
640 : nil,
641@end smallexample
642
643@noindent
644@code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
645by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
646@code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
647subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
648
649@smallexample
650(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
651set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
652 at input.c:530
653530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
654@end smallexample
655
656@noindent
657The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
658suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
659shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
660command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
661in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
662stack frame for each active subroutine.
663
664@smallexample
665(@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
666#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
667 at input.c:530
668#1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
669 at builtin.c:882
670#2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
671#3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
672 at macro.c:71
673#4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
674#5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
675@end smallexample
676
677@noindent
678We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
679times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
680falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
681
682@smallexample
683(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
6840x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
685(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
6860x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
687def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
688(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
689536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
690 : xstrdup(rq);
691(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
692538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
693@end smallexample
694
695@noindent
696The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
697@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
698and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
699(@code{print}) to see their values.
700
701@smallexample
702(@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
703$1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
704(@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
705$2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
706@end smallexample
707
708@noindent
709@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
710To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
711surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
712
713@smallexample
714(@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
715533 xfree(rquote);
716534
717535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
718 : xstrdup (lq);
719536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
720 : xstrdup (rq);
721537
722538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
723539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
724540 @}
725541
726542 void
727@end smallexample
728
729@noindent
730Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
731@code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
732
733@smallexample
734(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
735539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
737540 @}
738(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
739$3 = 9
740(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
741$4 = 7
742@end smallexample
743
744@noindent
745That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
746@code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
747@code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
748the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
749any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
750assignments.
751
752@smallexample
753(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
754$5 = 7
755(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
756$6 = 9
757@end smallexample
758
759@noindent
760Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
761@code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
762executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
763example that caused trouble initially:
764
765@smallexample
766(@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
767Continuing.
768
769@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
770
771baz
7720000
773@end smallexample
774
775@noindent
776Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
777problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
778lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
779
780@smallexample
781@b{Ctrl-d}
782Program exited normally.
783@end smallexample
784
785@noindent
786The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
787indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
788session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
789
790@smallexample
791(@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
792@end smallexample
793
794@node Invocation
795@chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
796
797This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
798The essentials are:
799@itemize @bullet
800@item
801type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
802@item
803type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
804@end itemize
805
806@menu
807* Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
808* Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
809* Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
810* Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
811@end menu
812
813@node Invoking GDB
814@section Invoking @value{GDBN}
815
816Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
817@value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
818
819You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
820to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
821
822The command-line options described here are designed
823to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
824options may effectively be unavailable.
825
826The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
827specifying an executable program:
828
829@smallexample
830@value{GDBP} @var{program}
831@end smallexample
832
833@noindent
834You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
835specified:
836
837@smallexample
838@value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
839@end smallexample
840
841You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
842to debug a running process:
843
844@smallexample
845@value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
846@end smallexample
847
848@noindent
849would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
850named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
851
852Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
853complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
854debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
855``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
856will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
857
858You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
859executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
860option processing.
861@smallexample
862@value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
863@end smallexample
864This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
865@code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
866
867You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
868@value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
869
870@smallexample
871@value{GDBP} -silent
872@end smallexample
873
874@noindent
875You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
876options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
877
878@noindent
879Type
880
881@smallexample
882@value{GDBP} -help
883@end smallexample
884
885@noindent
886to display all available options and briefly describe their use
887(@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
888
889All options and command line arguments you give are processed
890in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
891@samp{-x} option is used.
892
893
894@menu
895* File Options:: Choosing files
896* Mode Options:: Choosing modes
897* Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
898@end menu
899
900@node File Options
901@subsection Choosing Files
902
903When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
904specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
905the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
906@samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
907first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
908equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
909second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
910equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
911If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
912first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
913to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
914a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
915prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
916
917If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
918such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
919argument and ignore it.
920
921Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
922following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
923them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
924(If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
925than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
926
927@c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
928@c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
929@c it.
930
931@table @code
932@item -symbols @var{file}
933@itemx -s @var{file}
934@cindex @code{--symbols}
935@cindex @code{-s}
936Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
937
938@item -exec @var{file}
939@itemx -e @var{file}
940@cindex @code{--exec}
941@cindex @code{-e}
942Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
943and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
944
945@item -se @var{file}
946@cindex @code{--se}
947Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
948file.
949
950@item -core @var{file}
951@itemx -c @var{file}
952@cindex @code{--core}
953@cindex @code{-c}
954Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
955
956@item -pid @var{number}
957@itemx -p @var{number}
958@cindex @code{--pid}
959@cindex @code{-p}
960Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
961
962@item -command @var{file}
963@itemx -x @var{file}
964@cindex @code{--command}
965@cindex @code{-x}
966Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
967evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
968@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
969
970@item -eval-command @var{command}
971@itemx -ex @var{command}
972@cindex @code{--eval-command}
973@cindex @code{-ex}
974Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
975
976This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
977also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
978
979@smallexample
980@value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
981 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
982@end smallexample
983
984@item -directory @var{directory}
985@itemx -d @var{directory}
986@cindex @code{--directory}
987@cindex @code{-d}
988Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
989
990@item -r
991@itemx -readnow
992@cindex @code{--readnow}
993@cindex @code{-r}
994Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
995the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
996This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
997
998@end table
999
1000@node Mode Options
1001@subsection Choosing Modes
1002
1003You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1004batch mode or quiet mode.
1005
1006@table @code
1007@item -nx
1008@itemx -n
1009@cindex @code{--nx}
1010@cindex @code{-n}
1011Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1012@value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1013options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1014Files}.
1015
1016@item -quiet
1017@itemx -silent
1018@itemx -q
1019@cindex @code{--quiet}
1020@cindex @code{--silent}
1021@cindex @code{-q}
1022``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1023messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1024
1025@item -batch
1026@cindex @code{--batch}
1027Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1028command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1029initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1030nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1031in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination;
1032@pxref{Screen Size} and acts as if @kbd{set confirm off} were in
1033effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1034
1035Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1036example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1037make this more useful, the message
1038
1039@smallexample
1040Program exited normally.
1041@end smallexample
1042
1043@noindent
1044(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1045@value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1046mode.
1047
1048@item -batch-silent
1049@cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1050Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1051@value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1052unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1053for an interactive session.
1054
1055This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1056messages, for example.
1057
1058Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1059writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1060
1061@item -return-child-result
1062@cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1063The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1064process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1065
1066@itemize @bullet
1067@item
1068@value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1069internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1070without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1071@item
1072The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1073@item
1074The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1075the exit code will be -1.
1076@end itemize
1077
1078This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1079when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1080interface.
1081
1082@item -nowindows
1083@itemx -nw
1084@cindex @code{--nowindows}
1085@cindex @code{-nw}
1086``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1087(GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1088interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1089
1090@item -windows
1091@itemx -w
1092@cindex @code{--windows}
1093@cindex @code{-w}
1094If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1095used if possible.
1096
1097@item -cd @var{directory}
1098@cindex @code{--cd}
1099Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1100instead of the current directory.
1101
1102@item -fullname
1103@itemx -f
1104@cindex @code{--fullname}
1105@cindex @code{-f}
1106@sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1107subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1108number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1109displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1110recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1111the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1112and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1113@samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1114frame.
1115
1116@item -epoch
1117@cindex @code{--epoch}
1118The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1119@value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1120routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1121separate window.
1122
1123@item -annotate @var{level}
1124@cindex @code{--annotate}
1125This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1126effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1127(@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1128information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1129expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1130normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1131@sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1132that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1133
1134The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1135(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1136
1137@item --args
1138@cindex @code{--args}
1139Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1140executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1141This option stops option processing.
1142
1143@item -baud @var{bps}
1144@itemx -b @var{bps}
1145@cindex @code{--baud}
1146@cindex @code{-b}
1147Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1148interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1149
1150@item -l @var{timeout}
1151@cindex @code{-l}
1152Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1153for remote debugging.
1154
1155@item -tty @var{device}
1156@itemx -t @var{device}
1157@cindex @code{--tty}
1158@cindex @code{-t}
1159Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1160@c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1161
1162@c resolve the situation of these eventually
1163@item -tui
1164@cindex @code{--tui}
1165Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1166Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1167source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1168(@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1169Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1170@samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1171Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1172
1173@c @item -xdb
1174@c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1175@c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1176@c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1177@c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1178@c systems.
1179
1180@item -interpreter @var{interp}
1181@cindex @code{--interpreter}
1182Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1183program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1184communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1185@xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1186
1187@samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1188@value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1189The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1190previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1191selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1192@sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1193
1194@item -write
1195@cindex @code{--write}
1196Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1197is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1198(@pxref{Patching}).
1199
1200@item -statistics
1201@cindex @code{--statistics}
1202This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1203memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1204
1205@item -version
1206@cindex @code{--version}
1207This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1208no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1209
1210@end table
1211
1212@node Startup
1213@subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1214@cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1215
1216Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1217
1218@enumerate
1219@item
1220Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1221(@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1222
1223@item
1224@cindex init file
1225Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1226used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1227 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1228that file.
1229
1230@item
1231Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1232DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1233@code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1234that file.
1235
1236@item
1237Processes command line options and operands.
1238
1239@item
1240Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1241working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1242different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1243init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1244to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1245@value{GDBN}.
1246
1247@item
1248Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1249Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1250
1251@item
1252Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1253@xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1254files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1255@end enumerate
1256
1257Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1258Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1259file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1260complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1261and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1262option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1263
1264To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1265can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1266
1267@cindex init file name
1268@cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1269@cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1270The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1271The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1272the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1273ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1274@file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1275the file to the standard name.
1276
1277
1278@node Quitting GDB
1279@section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1280@cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1281@cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1282
1283@table @code
1284@kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1285@kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1286@item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1287@itemx q
1288To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1289@code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1290do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1291otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1292error code.
1293@end table
1294
1295@cindex interrupt
1296An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1297terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1298returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1299character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1300until a time when it is safe.
1301
1302If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1303device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1304(@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1305
1306@node Shell Commands
1307@section Shell Commands
1308
1309If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1310debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1311just use the @code{shell} command.
1312
1313@table @code
1314@kindex shell
1315@cindex shell escape
1316@item shell @var{command string}
1317Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1318If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1319shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1320(@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1321@end table
1322
1323The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1324You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1325@value{GDBN}:
1326
1327@table @code
1328@kindex make
1329@cindex calling make
1330@item make @var{make-args}
1331Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1332arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1333@end table
1334
1335@node Logging Output
1336@section Logging Output
1337@cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1338@cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1339
1340You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1341There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1342
1343@table @code
1344@kindex set logging
1345@item set logging on
1346Enable logging.
1347@item set logging off
1348Disable logging.
1349@cindex logging file name
1350@item set logging file @var{file}
1351Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1352@item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1353By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1354you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1355@item set logging redirect [on|off]
1356By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1357Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1358@kindex show logging
1359@item show logging
1360Show the current values of the logging settings.
1361@end table
1362
1363@node Commands
1364@chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1365
1366You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1367name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1368@value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1369key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1370show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1371
1372@menu
1373* Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1374* Completion:: Command completion
1375* Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1376@end menu
1377
1378@node Command Syntax
1379@section Command Syntax
1380
1381A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1382how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1383arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1384command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1385step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1386with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1387
1388@cindex abbreviation
1389@value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1390unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1391documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1392abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1393equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1394names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1395arguments to the @code{help} command.
1396
1397@cindex repeating commands
1398@kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1399A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1400repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1401will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1402repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1403repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1404@ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1405
1406The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1407@key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1408exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1409
1410@value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1411output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1412(@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1413@key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1414repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1415
1416@kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1417@cindex comment
1418Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1419nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1420Files,,Command Files}).
1421
1422@cindex repeating command sequences
1423@kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1424The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1425commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1426then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1427for editing.
1428
1429@node Completion
1430@section Command Completion
1431
1432@cindex completion
1433@cindex word completion
1434@value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1435only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1436are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1437commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1438
1439Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1440of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1441word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1442enter it). For example, if you type
1443
1444@c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1445@c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1446@c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1447@c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1448@smallexample
1449(@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1450@end smallexample
1451
1452@noindent
1453@value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1454the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1455
1456@smallexample
1457(@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1458@end smallexample
1459
1460@noindent
1461You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1462breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1463@samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1464were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1465might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1466to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1467
1468If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1469@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1470characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1471@value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1472example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1473begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1474just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1475function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1476example:
1477
1478@smallexample
1479(@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1480@exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1481make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1482make_abs_section make_function_type
1483make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1484make_cleanup make_reference_type
1485make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1486(@value{GDBP}) b make_
1487@end smallexample
1488
1489@noindent
1490After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1491partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1492command.
1493
1494If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1495can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1496means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1497key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1498one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1499
1500@cindex quotes in commands
1501@cindex completion of quoted strings
1502Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1503parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1504its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1505situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1506@value{GDBN} commands.
1507
1508The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1509name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1510overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1511by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1512may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1513that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1514that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1515word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1516@code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1517@value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1518when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1519
1520@smallexample
1521(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1522bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1523(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1524@end smallexample
1525
1526In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1527quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1528completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1529place:
1530
1531@smallexample
1532(@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1533@exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1534(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1535@end smallexample
1536
1537@noindent
1538In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1539you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1540completion on an overloaded symbol.
1541
1542For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1543Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1544overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1545see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1546
1547@cindex completion of structure field names
1548@cindex structure field name completion
1549@cindex completion of union field names
1550@cindex union field name completion
1551When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1552structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1553confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1554examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1555limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1556left-hand-side:
1557
1558@smallexample
1559(@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1560magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1561to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1562@end smallexample
1563
1564@noindent
1565This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1566@code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1567follows:
1568
1569@smallexample
1570struct ui_file
1571@{
1572 int *magic;
1573 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1574 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1575 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1576 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1577 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1578 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1579 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1580 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1581 void *to_data;
1582@}
1583@end smallexample
1584
1585
1586@node Help
1587@section Getting Help
1588@cindex online documentation
1589@kindex help
1590
1591You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1592using the command @code{help}.
1593
1594@table @code
1595@kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1596@item help
1597@itemx h
1598You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1599display a short list of named classes of commands:
1600
1601@smallexample
1602(@value{GDBP}) help
1603List of classes of commands:
1604
1605aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1606breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1607data -- Examining data
1608files -- Specifying and examining files
1609internals -- Maintenance commands
1610obscure -- Obscure features
1611running -- Running the program
1612stack -- Examining the stack
1613status -- Status inquiries
1614support -- Support facilities
1615tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1616 stopping the program
1617user-defined -- User-defined commands
1618
1619Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1620commands in that class.
1621Type "help" followed by command name for full
1622documentation.
1623Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1624(@value{GDBP})
1625@end smallexample
1626@c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1627
1628@item help @var{class}
1629Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1630list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1631help display for the class @code{status}:
1632
1633@smallexample
1634(@value{GDBP}) help status
1635Status inquiries.
1636
1637List of commands:
1638
1639@c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1640@c to fit in smallbook page size.
1641info -- Generic command for showing things
1642 about the program being debugged
1643show -- Generic command for showing things
1644 about the debugger
1645
1646Type "help" followed by command name for full
1647documentation.
1648Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1649(@value{GDBP})
1650@end smallexample
1651
1652@item help @var{command}
1653With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1654short paragraph on how to use that command.
1655
1656@kindex apropos
1657@item apropos @var{args}
1658The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1659commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1660@var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1661
1662@smallexample
1663apropos reload
1664@end smallexample
1665
1666@noindent
1667results in:
1668
1669@smallexample
1670@c @group
1671set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1672 multiple times in one run
1673show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1674 multiple times in one run
1675@c @end group
1676@end smallexample
1677
1678@kindex complete
1679@item complete @var{args}
1680The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1681for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1682command you want completed. For example:
1683
1684@smallexample
1685complete i
1686@end smallexample
1687
1688@noindent results in:
1689
1690@smallexample
1691@group
1692if
1693ignore
1694info
1695inspect
1696@end group
1697@end smallexample
1698
1699@noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1700@end table
1701
1702In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1703and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1704of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1705manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1706under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1707all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1708
1709@c @group
1710@table @code
1711@kindex info
1712@kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1713@item info
1714This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1715program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1716with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1717registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1718You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1719@w{@code{help info}}.
1720
1721@kindex set
1722@item set
1723You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1724@code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1725@code{set prompt $}.
1726
1727@kindex show
1728@item show
1729In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1730@value{GDBN} itself.
1731You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1732related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1733system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1734which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1735
1736@kindex info set
1737To display all the settable parameters and their current
1738values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1739@code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1740@c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1741@c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1742@c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1743@end table
1744@c @end group
1745
1746Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1747exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1748
1749@table @code
1750@kindex show version
1751@cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1752@item show version
1753Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1754information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1755@value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1756version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1757commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1758system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1759variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1760The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1761@value{GDBN}.
1762
1763@kindex show copying
1764@kindex info copying
1765@cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1766@item show copying
1767@itemx info copying
1768Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1769
1770@kindex show warranty
1771@kindex info warranty
1772@item show warranty
1773@itemx info warranty
1774Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1775if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1776
1777@end table
1778
1779@node Running
1780@chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1781
1782When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1783debugging information when you compile it.
1784
1785You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1786of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1787your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1788kill a child process.
1789
1790@menu
1791* Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1792* Starting:: Starting your program
1793* Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1794* Environment:: Your program's environment
1795
1796* Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1797* Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1798* Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1799* Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1800
1801* Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1802* Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1803* Forks:: Debugging forks
1804* Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1805@end menu
1806
1807@node Compilation
1808@section Compiling for Debugging
1809
1810In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1811debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1812is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1813variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1814and addresses in the executable code.
1815
1816To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1817the compiler.
1818
1819Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1820optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1821compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1822together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1823executables containing debugging information.
1824
1825@value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1826without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1827recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1828program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1829in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1830
1831Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1832@w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1833format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1834
1835@value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1836expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1837about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1838the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1839Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1840provides macro information if you specify the options
1841@option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1842debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1843``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1844ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1845@option{-g} alone.
1846
1847@need 2000
1848@node Starting
1849@section Starting your Program
1850@cindex starting
1851@cindex running
1852
1853@table @code
1854@kindex run
1855@kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1856@item run
1857@itemx r
1858Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1859You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1860argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1861@value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1862(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1863
1864@end table
1865
1866If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1867supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1868that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1869@code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1870like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1871message like this one:
1872
1873@smallexample
1874The "remote" target does not support "run".
1875Try "help target" or "continue".
1876@end smallexample
1877
1878@noindent
1879then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1880first (@pxref{load}).
1881
1882The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1883receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1884information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1885can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1886your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1887divided into four categories:
1888
1889@table @asis
1890@item The @emph{arguments.}
1891Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1892@code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1893is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1894(such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1895the arguments.
1896In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1897@code{SHELL} environment variable.
1898@xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1899
1900@item The @emph{environment.}
1901Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1902use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1903environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1904your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1905
1906@item The @emph{working directory.}
1907Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1908the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1909@xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1910
1911@item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1912Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1913standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1914in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1915set a different device for your program.
1916@xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1917
1918@cindex pipes
1919@emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1920pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1921program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1922wrong program.
1923@end table
1924
1925When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1926immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1927of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1928stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1929or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1930
1931If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1932time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1933table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1934your current breakpoints.
1935
1936@table @code
1937@kindex start
1938@item start
1939@cindex run to main procedure
1940The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1941With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1942other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1943main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1944execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1945procedure, depending on the language used.
1946
1947The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1948breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1949the @samp{run} command.
1950
1951@cindex elaboration phase
1952Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1953executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1954languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1955constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1956@code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1957before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1958will remain to halt execution.
1959
1960Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1961@samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1962underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1963reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1964@samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1965
1966It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1967these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1968your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1969elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1970elaboration code before running your program.
1971
1972@kindex set exec-wrapper
1973@item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1974@itemx show exec-wrapper
1975@itemx unset exec-wrapper
1976When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1977launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1978with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1979@var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1980arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1981appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1982your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1983
1984You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1985its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1986this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1987with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1988
1989For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1990the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1991environment:
1992
1993@smallexample
1994(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1995(@value{GDBP}) run
1996@end smallexample
1997
1998This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
1999@sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2000
2001@kindex set disable-randomization
2002@item set disable-randomization
2003@itemx set disable-randomization on
2004This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2005randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2006is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2007reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2008
2009This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2010behavior using
2011
2012@smallexample
2013(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2014@end smallexample
2015
2016@item set disable-randomization off
2017Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2018ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2019disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2020@value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2021as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2022disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2023
2024The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2025It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2026cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2027code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2028a code at its expected addresses.
2029
2030Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2031makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2032having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2033library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2034misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2035random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2036startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2037a randomly chosen address.
2038
2039Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2040similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2041a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2042already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2043executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2044
2045Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2046(as long as the randomization is enabled).
2047
2048@item show disable-randomization
2049Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2050the virtual address space of the started program.
2051
2052@end table
2053
2054@node Arguments
2055@section Your Program's Arguments
2056
2057@cindex arguments (to your program)
2058The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2059@code{run} command.
2060They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2061performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2062@code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2063@value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2064the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2065
2066On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2067@value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2068calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2069the program, not by the shell.
2070
2071@code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2072@code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2073
2074@table @code
2075@kindex set args
2076@item set args
2077Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2078@code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2079with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2080using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2081it again without arguments.
2082
2083@kindex show args
2084@item show args
2085Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2086@end table
2087
2088@node Environment
2089@section Your Program's Environment
2090
2091@cindex environment (of your program)
2092The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2093their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2094your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2095path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2096the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2097debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2098environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2099
2100@table @code
2101@kindex path
2102@item path @var{directory}
2103Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2104(the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2105The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2106You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2107system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2108MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2109is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2110
2111You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2112working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2113use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2114@code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2115@var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2116@var{directory} to the search path.
2117@c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2118@c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2119
2120@kindex show paths
2121@item show paths
2122Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2123environment variable).
2124
2125@kindex show environment
2126@item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2127Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2128your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2129print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2130your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2131
2132@kindex set environment
2133@item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2134Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2135changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2136be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2137any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2138parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2139null value.
2140@c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2141@c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2142
2143For example, this command:
2144
2145@smallexample
2146set env USER = foo
2147@end smallexample
2148
2149@noindent
2150tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2151@samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2152are not actually required.)
2153
2154@kindex unset environment
2155@item unset environment @var{varname}
2156Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2157program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2158@code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2159rather than assigning it an empty value.
2160@end table
2161
2162@emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2163the shell indicated
2164by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2165@code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2166that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2167@file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2168your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2169files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2170@file{.profile}.
2171
2172@node Working Directory
2173@section Your Program's Working Directory
2174
2175@cindex working directory (of your program)
2176Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2177working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2178The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2179from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2180working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2181
2182The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2183that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2184Specify Files}.
2185
2186@table @code
2187@kindex cd
2188@cindex change working directory
2189@item cd @var{directory}
2190Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2191
2192@kindex pwd
2193@item pwd
2194Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2195@end table
2196
2197It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2198the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2199during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2200configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2201proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2202current working directory of the debuggee.
2203
2204@node Input/Output
2205@section Your Program's Input and Output
2206
2207@cindex redirection
2208@cindex i/o
2209@cindex terminal
2210By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2211the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2212to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2213modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2214running your program.
2215
2216@table @code
2217@kindex info terminal
2218@item info terminal
2219Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2220program is using.
2221@end table
2222
2223You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2224redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2225
2226@smallexample
2227run > outfile
2228@end smallexample
2229
2230@noindent
2231starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2232
2233@kindex tty
2234@cindex controlling terminal
2235Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2236with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2237argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2238commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2239process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2240
2241@smallexample
2242tty /dev/ttyb
2243@end smallexample
2244
2245@noindent
2246directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2247default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2248that as their controlling terminal.
2249
2250An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2251effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2252terminal.
2253
2254When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2255command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2256for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2257for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2258
2259@cindex inferior tty
2260@cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2261You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2262display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2263program.
2264
2265@table @code
2266@item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2267@kindex set inferior-tty
2268Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2269
2270@item show inferior-tty
2271@kindex show inferior-tty
2272Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2273@end table
2274
2275@node Attach
2276@section Debugging an Already-running Process
2277@kindex attach
2278@cindex attach
2279
2280@table @code
2281@item attach @var{process-id}
2282This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2283outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2284targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2285find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2286or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2287
2288@code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2289executing the command.
2290@end table
2291
2292To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2293which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2294programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2295also have permission to send the process a signal.
2296
2297When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2298the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2299the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2300(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2301the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2302Specify Files}.
2303
2304The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2305process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2306with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2307you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2308can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2309process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2310attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2311
2312@table @code
2313@kindex detach
2314@item detach
2315When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2316@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2317the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2318that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2319are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2320@code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2321executing the command.
2322@end table
2323
2324If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2325that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2326By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2327things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2328@code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2329Messages}).
2330
2331@node Kill Process
2332@section Killing the Child Process
2333
2334@table @code
2335@kindex kill
2336@item kill
2337Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2338@end table
2339
2340This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2341running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2342is running.
2343
2344On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2345while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2346@code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2347outside the debugger.
2348
2349The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2350relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2351executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2352next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2353reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2354breakpoint settings).
2355
2356@node Inferiors and Programs
2357@section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2358
2359@value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2360session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2361several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2362before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2363multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2364from multiple executables.
2365
2366@cindex inferior
2367@value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2368object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2369a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2370have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2371may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2372identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2373inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2374embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2375of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2376threads running in it.
2377
2378To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2379inferiors}}:
2380
2381@table @code
2382@kindex info inferiors
2383@item info inferiors
2384Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2385
2386@value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2387
2388@enumerate
2389@item
2390the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2391
2392@item
2393the target system's inferior identifier
2394
2395@item
2396the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2397
2398@end enumerate
2399
2400@noindent
2401An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2402indicates the current inferior.
2403
2404For example,
2405@end table
2406@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2407
2408@smallexample
2409(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2410 Num Description Executable
2411 2 process 2307 hello
2412* 1 process 3401 goodbye
2413@end smallexample
2414
2415To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2416
2417@table @code
2418@kindex inferior @var{infno}
2419@item inferior @var{infno}
2420Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2421@var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2422in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2423@end table
2424
2425
2426You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2427@code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2428systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2429automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2430remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2431@w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2432
2433@table @code
2434@kindex add-inferior
2435@item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2436Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2437executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2438the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2439change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2440@code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2441
2442@kindex clone-inferior
2443@item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2444Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2445@var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2446number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2447want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2448
2449@smallexample
2450(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2451 Num Description Executable
2452* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2453(@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2454Added inferior 2.
24551 inferiors added.
2456(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2457 Num Description Executable
2458 2 <null> helloworld
2459* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2460@end smallexample
2461
2462You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2463
2464@kindex remove-inferior
2465@item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2466Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2467inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2468@code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2469
2470@end table
2471
2472To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2473inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2474inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2475using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2476
2477@table @code
2478@kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2479@item detach inferior @var{infno}
2480Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2481@var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2482
2483@kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2484@item kill inferior @var{infno}
2485Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2486@var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2487@end table
2488
2489After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2490@code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2491a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2492@code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2493
2494
2495To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2496control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2497
2498@table @code
2499@kindex set print inferior-events
2500@cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2501@item set print inferior-events
2502@itemx set print inferior-events on
2503@itemx set print inferior-events off
2504The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2505disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2506inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2507detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2508
2509@kindex show print inferior-events
2510@item show print inferior-events
2511Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2512inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2513@end table
2514
2515Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2516single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2517value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2518
2519
2520Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2521get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2522spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2523info program-spaces}} command.
2524
2525@table @code
2526@kindex maint info program-spaces
2527@item maint info program-spaces
2528Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2529@value{GDBN}.
2530
2531@value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2532
2533@enumerate
2534@item
2535the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2536
2537@item
2538the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2539the @code{file} command.
2540
2541@end enumerate
2542
2543@noindent
2544An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2545indicates the current program space.
2546
2547In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2548information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2549example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2550
2551@smallexample
2552(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2553 Id Executable
2554 2 goodbye
2555 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2556* 1 hello
2557@end smallexample
2558
2559Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2560while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2561some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2562same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2563the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2564
2565@smallexample
2566(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2567 Id Executable
2568* 1 vfork-test
2569 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2570@end smallexample
2571
2572Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2573space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2574@end table
2575
2576@node Threads
2577@section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2578
2579@cindex threads of execution
2580@cindex multiple threads
2581@cindex switching threads
2582In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2583may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2584of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2585the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2586that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2587modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2588registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2589
2590@value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2591programs:
2592
2593@itemize @bullet
2594@item automatic notification of new threads
2595@item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2596@item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2597@item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2598a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2599@item thread-specific breakpoints
2600@item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2601messages on thread start and exit.
2602@item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2603the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2604isn't compatible with the program.
2605@end itemize
2606
2607@quotation
2608@emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2609@value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2610If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2611effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2612from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2613like this:
2614
2615@smallexample
2616(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2617(@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2618Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2619see the IDs of currently known threads.
2620@end smallexample
2621@c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2622@c doesn't support threads"?
2623@end quotation
2624
2625@cindex focus of debugging
2626@cindex current thread
2627The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2628threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2629control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2630This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2631program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2632
2633@cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2634@cindex thread identifier (system)
2635@c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2636@c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2637@c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2638Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2639the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2640form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2641whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2642@sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2643
2644@smallexample
2645[New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2646@end smallexample
2647
2648@noindent
2649when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2650the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2651further qualifier.
2652
2653@c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2654@c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2655@c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2656@c program?
2657@c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2658@c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2659@c threads ab initio?
2660
2661@cindex thread number
2662@cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2663For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2664number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2665
2666@table @code
2667@kindex info threads
2668@item info threads
2669Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2670program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2671
2672@enumerate
2673@item
2674the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2675
2676@item
2677the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2678
2679@item
2680the current stack frame summary for that thread
2681@end enumerate
2682
2683@noindent
2684An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2685indicates the current thread.
2686
2687For example,
2688@end table
2689@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2690
2691@smallexample
2692(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2693 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2694 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2695* 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2696 at threadtest.c:68
2697@end smallexample
2698
2699On HP-UX systems:
2700
2701@cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2702@cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2703For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2704number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2705thread in your program.
2706
2707@cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2708@cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2709@c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2710@c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2711@c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2712Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2713both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2714form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2715whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2716HP-UX, you see
2717
2718@smallexample
2719[New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2720@end smallexample
2721
2722@noindent
2723when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2724
2725@table @code
2726@kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2727@item info threads
2728Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2729program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2730
2731@enumerate
2732@item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2733
2734@item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2735
2736@item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2737@end enumerate
2738
2739@noindent
2740An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2741indicates the current thread.
2742
2743For example,
2744@end table
2745@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2746
2747@smallexample
2748(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2749 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2750 at quicksort.c:137
2751 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2752 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2753 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2754 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2755@end smallexample
2756
2757On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2758Solaris-specific command:
2759
2760@table @code
2761@item maint info sol-threads
2762@kindex maint info sol-threads
2763@cindex thread info (Solaris)
2764Display info on Solaris user threads.
2765@end table
2766
2767@table @code
2768@kindex thread @var{threadno}
2769@item thread @var{threadno}
2770Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2771argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2772shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2773@value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2774you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2775
2776@smallexample
2777@c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2778(@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2779[Switching to process 35 thread 23]
27800x34e5 in sigpause ()
2781@end smallexample
2782
2783@noindent
2784As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2785@samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2786threads.
2787
2788@kindex thread apply
2789@cindex apply command to several threads
2790@item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2791The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2792@var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2793threads that you want affected with the command argument
2794@var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2795shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2796could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2797command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2798
2799@kindex set print thread-events
2800@cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2801@item set print thread-events
2802@itemx set print thread-events on
2803@itemx set print thread-events off
2804The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2805disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2806started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2807be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2808Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2809
2810@kindex show print thread-events
2811@item show print thread-events
2812Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2813have started and exited.
2814@end table
2815
2816@xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2817more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2818programs with multiple threads.
2819
2820@xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2821watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2822
2823@table @code
2824@kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2825@cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2826@item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2827If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2828directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2829If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2830an empty list.
2831
2832On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2833@code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2834inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2835to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2836with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2837from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2838
2839For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2840@value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2841If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2842mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2843will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2844If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2845@value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2846
2847Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2848only on some platforms.
2849
2850@kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2851@item show libthread-db-search-path
2852Display current libthread_db search path.
2853@end table
2854
2855@node Forks
2856@section Debugging Forks
2857
2858@cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2859@cindex multiple processes
2860@cindex processes, multiple
2861On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2862programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2863function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2864parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2865set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2866will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2867will cause it to terminate.
2868
2869However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2870which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2871the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2872only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2873so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2874on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2875get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2876@value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2877the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2878the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2879
2880On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2881create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2882Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2883only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2884
2885By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2886the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2887
2888If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2889use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2890
2891@table @code
2892@kindex set follow-fork-mode
2893@item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2894Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2895@code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2896process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2897
2898@table @code
2899@item parent
2900The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2901unimpeded. This is the default.
2902
2903@item child
2904The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2905unimpeded.
2906
2907@end table
2908
2909@kindex show follow-fork-mode
2910@item show follow-fork-mode
2911Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2912@end table
2913
2914@cindex debugging multiple processes
2915On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2916command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2917
2918@table @code
2919@kindex set detach-on-fork
2920@item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2921Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2922retain debugger control over them both.
2923
2924@table @code
2925@item on
2926The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2927@code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2928independently. This is the default.
2929
2930@item off
2931Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2932One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2933@code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2934is held suspended.
2935
2936@end table
2937
2938@kindex show detach-on-fork
2939@item show detach-on-fork
2940Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2941@end table
2942
2943If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2944will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2945You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2946using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2947to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2948Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2949
2950To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2951from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2952to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2953command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2954and Programs}.
2955
2956If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2957@code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2958breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2959@code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2960the child process's @code{main}.
2961
2962On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2963cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2964
2965If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2966call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2967process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2968as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2969@value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2970You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2971command.
2972
2973@table @code
2974@kindex set follow-exec-mode
2975@item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2976
2977Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2978@code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2979
2980@code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2981
2982@table @code
2983@item new
2984@value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2985new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2986@code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2987original inferior.
2988
2989For example:
2990
2991@smallexample
2992(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2993(gdb) info inferior
2994 Id Description Executable
2995* 1 <null> prog1
2996(@value{GDBP}) run
2997process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
2998Program exited normally.
2999(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3000 Id Description Executable
3001* 2 <null> prog2
3002 1 <null> prog1
3003@end smallexample
3004
3005@item same
3006@value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3007executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3008inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3009e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3010running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3011
3012For example:
3013
3014@smallexample
3015(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3016 Id Description Executable
3017* 1 <null> prog1
3018(@value{GDBP}) run
3019process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3020Program exited normally.
3021(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3022 Id Description Executable
3023* 1 <null> prog2
3024@end smallexample
3025
3026@end table
3027@end table
3028
3029You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3030a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3031Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3032
3033@node Checkpoint/Restart
3034@section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3035
3036@cindex checkpoint
3037@cindex restart
3038@cindex bookmark
3039@cindex snapshot of a process
3040@cindex rewind program state
3041
3042On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3043@sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3044program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3045later.
3046
3047Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3048happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3049includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3050system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3051moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3052
3053Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3054getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3055a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3056the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3057from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3058start again from there.
3059
3060This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3061steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3062
3063To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3064
3065@table @code
3066@kindex checkpoint
3067@item checkpoint
3068Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3069The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3070is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3071
3072@kindex info checkpoints
3073@item info checkpoints
3074List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3075session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3076listed:
3077
3078@table @code
3079@item Checkpoint ID
3080@item Process ID
3081@item Code Address
3082@item Source line, or label
3083@end table
3084
3085@kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3086@item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3087Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3088@var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3089etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3090was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3091in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3092
3093Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3094are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3095only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3096the debugger.
3097
3098@kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3099@item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3100Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3101
3102@end table
3103
3104Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3105of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3106(OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3107a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3108so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3109opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3110previously read data can be read again.
3111
3112Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3113external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3114from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3115but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3116be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3117been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3118
3119However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3120program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3121again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3122different execution path this time.
3123
3124@cindex checkpoints and process id
3125Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3126different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3127id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3128and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3129If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3130potentially pose a problem.
3131
3132@subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3133
3134On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3135is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3136difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3137absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3138absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3139next.
3140
3141A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3142Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3143and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3144process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3145your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3146
3147@node Stopping
3148@chapter Stopping and Continuing
3149
3150The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3151program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3152trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3153
3154Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3155such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3156@value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3157change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3158continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3159ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3160explicitly request this information at any time.
3161
3162@table @code
3163@kindex info program
3164@item info program
3165Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3166running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3167@end table
3168
3169@menu
3170* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3171* Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3172* Signals:: Signals
3173* Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3174@end menu
3175
3176@node Breakpoints
3177@section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3178
3179@cindex breakpoints
3180A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3181the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3182control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3183breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3184Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3185should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3186program.
3187
3188On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3189the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3190you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3191in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3192(for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3193call).
3194
3195@cindex watchpoints
3196@cindex data breakpoints
3197@cindex memory tracing
3198@cindex breakpoint on memory address
3199@cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3200A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3201when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3202of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3203combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3204@dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3205watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3206from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3207enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3208same commands.
3209
3210You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3211whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3212Automatic Display}.
3213
3214@cindex catchpoints
3215@cindex breakpoint on events
3216A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3217when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3218exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3219different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3220Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3221other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3222@code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3223
3224@cindex breakpoint numbers
3225@cindex numbers for breakpoints
3226@value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3227catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3228starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3229features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3230breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3231@dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3232enable it again.
3233
3234@cindex breakpoint ranges
3235@cindex ranges of breakpoints
3236Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3237operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3238@samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3239hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3240all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3241
3242@menu
3243* Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3244* Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3245* Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3246* Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3247* Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3248* Conditions:: Break conditions
3249* Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3250* Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3251* Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3252* Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3253@end menu
3254
3255@node Set Breaks
3256@subsection Setting Breakpoints
3257
3258@c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3259@c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3260@c
3261@c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3262
3263@kindex break
3264@kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3265@vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3266@cindex latest breakpoint
3267Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3268@code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3269number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3270Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3271convenience variables.
3272
3273@table @code
3274@item break @var{location}
3275Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3276function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3277(@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3278specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3279before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3280
3281When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3282C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3283@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3284that situation.
3285
3286It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3287only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3288or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3289
3290@item break
3291When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3292the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3293(@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3294innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3295returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3296@code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3297that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3298@code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3299the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3300inside loops.
3301
3302@value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3303least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3304would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3305breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3306existed when your program stopped.
3307
3308@item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3309Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3310@var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3311value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3312@samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3313above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3314,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3315
3316@kindex tbreak
3317@item tbreak @var{args}
3318Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3319same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3320way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3321program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3322
3323@kindex hbreak
3324@cindex hardware breakpoints
3325@item hbreak @var{args}
3326Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3327@code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3328breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3329have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3330debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3331changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3332provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3333will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3334address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3335breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3336example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3337@value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3338or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3339(@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3340@xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3341For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3342breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3343hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3344
3345@kindex thbreak
3346@item thbreak @var{args}
3347Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3348are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3349the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3350the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3351first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3352command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3353may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3354See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3355
3356@kindex rbreak
3357@cindex regular expression
3358@cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3359@cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3360@item rbreak @var{regex}
3361Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3362@var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3363matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3364breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3365the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3366them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3367
3368The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3369like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3370shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3371an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3372@code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3373match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3374
3375@cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3376When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3377breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3378classes.
3379
3380@cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3381The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3382@strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3383
3384@smallexample
3385(@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3386@end smallexample
3387
3388@item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3389If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3390the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3391specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3392every function in a given file:
3393
3394@smallexample
3395(@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3396@end smallexample
3397
3398The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3399optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3400
3401@kindex info breakpoints
3402@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3403@item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3404@itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3405Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3406not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3407about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3408each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3409
3410@table @emph
3411@item Breakpoint Numbers
3412@item Type
3413Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3414@item Disposition
3415Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3416@item Enabled or Disabled
3417Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3418that are not enabled.
3419@item Address
3420Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3421pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3422contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3423library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3424See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3425have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3426@item What
3427Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3428line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3429the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3430the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3431@end table
3432
3433@noindent
3434If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3435the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3436are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3437specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3438library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3439valid location.
3440
3441@noindent
3442@code{info break} with a breakpoint
3443number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3444convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3445the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3446listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3447
3448@noindent
3449@code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3450has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3451@code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3452hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3453was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3454will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3455@end table
3456
3457@value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3458your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3459the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3460(@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3461
3462@cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3463@cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3464It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3465in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3466
3467@itemize @bullet
3468@item
3469For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3470instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3471
3472@item
3473For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3474correspond to any number of instantiations.
3475
3476@item
3477For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3478several places where that function is inlined.
3479@end itemize
3480
3481In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3482the relevant locations@footnote{
3483As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3484line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3485will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3486info with line numbers for them.}.
3487
3488A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3489table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3490each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3491address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3492addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3493locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3494@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3495
3496For example:
3497
3498@smallexample
3499Num Type Disp Enb Address What
35001 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3501 stop only if i==1
3502 breakpoint already hit 1 time
35031.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
35041.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3505@end smallexample
3506
3507Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3508@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3509@code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3510delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3511entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3512the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3513the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3514the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3515that belong to that breakpoint.
3516
3517@cindex pending breakpoints
3518It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3519Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3520and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3521this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3522any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3523set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3524debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3525symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3526breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3527a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3528is not yet resolved.
3529
3530After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3531@value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3532shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3533pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3534ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3535that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3536
3537This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3538example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3539a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3540a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3541
3542Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3543differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3544enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3545
3546@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3547happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3548address specification to an address:
3549
3550@kindex set breakpoint pending
3551@kindex show breakpoint pending
3552@table @code
3553@item set breakpoint pending auto
3554This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3555location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3556
3557@item set breakpoint pending on
3558This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3559result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3560
3561@item set breakpoint pending off
3562This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3563unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3564not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3565
3566@item show breakpoint pending
3567Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3568@end table
3569
3570The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3571variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3572as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3573
3574@cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3575For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3576software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3577breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3578breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3579breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3580breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3581breakpoints.
3582
3583You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3584
3585@kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3586@kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3587@table @code
3588@item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3589This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3590will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3591breakpoint must be used.
3592
3593@item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3594This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3595type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3596trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3597@end table
3598
3599@value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3600at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3601executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3602code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3603the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3604behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3605target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3606targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3607This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3608
3609@kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3610@kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3611@table @code
3612@item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3613All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3614the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3615removed from the target when it stops.
3616
3617@item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3618Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3619the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3620breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3621removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3622
3623@cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3624@item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3625This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3626in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3627@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3628controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3629@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3630@end table
3631
3632@cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3633@cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3634@value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3635special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3636programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3637starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3638You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3639@samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3640
3641
3642@node Set Watchpoints
3643@subsection Setting Watchpoints
3644
3645@cindex setting watchpoints
3646You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3647expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3648this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3649The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3650as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3651
3652@itemize @bullet
3653@item
3654A reference to the value of a single variable.
3655
3656@item
3657An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3658@samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3659address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3660
3661@item
3662An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3663expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3664language (@pxref{Languages}).
3665@end itemize
3666
3667You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3668not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3669@samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3670@value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3671the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3672valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3673pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3674@code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3675the expression changes.
3676
3677@cindex software watchpoints
3678@cindex hardware watchpoints
3679Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3680hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3681program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3682times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3683catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3684culprit.)
3685
3686On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3687x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3688watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3689
3690@table @code
3691@kindex watch
3692@item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3693Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3694expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3695changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3696to watch the value of a single variable:
3697
3698@smallexample
3699(@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3700@end smallexample
3701
3702If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3703clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3704@var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3705change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3706that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3707with Hardware Watchpoints.
3708
3709@kindex rwatch
3710@item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3711Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3712by the program.
3713
3714@kindex awatch
3715@item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3716Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3717or written into by the program.
3718
3719@kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3720@item info watchpoints
3721This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3722@code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3723@end table
3724
3725@value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3726watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3727value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3728cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3729executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3730@emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3731
3732@cindex use only software watchpoints
3733You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3734@kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3735zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3736the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3737watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3738@code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3739mechanism of watching expression values.)
3740
3741@table @code
3742@item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3743@kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3744Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3745
3746@item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3747@kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3748Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3749@end table
3750
3751For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3752watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3753hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3754
3755When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3756
3757@smallexample
3758Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3759@end smallexample
3760
3761@noindent
3762if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3763
3764Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3765hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3766value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3767every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3768that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3769hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3770will print a message like this:
3771
3772@smallexample
3773Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3774@end smallexample
3775
3776Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3777data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3778watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3779can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3780cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3781double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3782wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3783into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3784
3785If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3786to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3787Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3788time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3789able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3790warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3791
3792@smallexample
3793Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3794@end smallexample
3795
3796@noindent
3797If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3798
3799Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3800exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3801That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3802expression with separately allocated resources.
3803
3804If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3805any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3806kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3807
3808@value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3809(automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3810they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3811which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3812being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3813and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3814rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3815way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3816@code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3817
3818@cindex watchpoints and threads
3819@cindex threads and watchpoints
3820In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3821watched expression from every thread.
3822
3823@quotation
3824@emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3825have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3826watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3827single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3828change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3829confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3830software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3831when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3832watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3833@end quotation
3834
3835@xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3836
3837@node Set Catchpoints
3838@subsection Setting Catchpoints
3839@cindex catchpoints, setting
3840@cindex exception handlers
3841@cindex event handling
3842
3843You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3844kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3845shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3846
3847@table @code
3848@kindex catch
3849@item catch @var{event}
3850Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3851@table @code
3852@item throw
3853@cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3854The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3855
3856@item catch
3857The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3858
3859@item exception
3860@cindex Ada exception catching
3861@cindex catch Ada exceptions
3862An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3863at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3864the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3865Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3866
3867When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3868name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3869fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3870@value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3871rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3872called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3873the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3874Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3875
3876@item exception unhandled
3877An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3878
3879@item assert
3880A failed Ada assertion.
3881
3882@item exec
3883@cindex break on fork/exec
3884A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3885and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3886
3887@item syscall
3888@itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3889@cindex break on a system call.
3890A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3891syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3892from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3893@value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3894debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3895argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3896will be caught.
3897
3898@var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3899underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3900GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3901names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3902
3903@c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3904@c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3905@c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3906@c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3907
3908Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3909each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3910facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3911available choices.
3912
3913You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3914number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3915identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3916name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3917into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3918may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3919list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3920behind the OS upgrades).
3921
3922The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3923arguments to it:
3924
3925@smallexample
3926(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3927Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3928(@value{GDBP}) r
3929Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3930
3931Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3932 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3933(@value{GDBP}) c
3934Continuing.
3935
3936Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3937 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3938(@value{GDBP})
3939@end smallexample
3940
3941Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3942
3943@smallexample
3944(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3945Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3946(@value{GDBP}) r
3947Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3948
3949Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3950 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3951(@value{GDBP}) c
3952Continuing.
3953
3954Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3955 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3956(@value{GDBP})
3957@end smallexample
3958
3959An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3960below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3961file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3962
3963@smallexample
3964(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3965Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3966(@value{GDBP}) r
3967Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3968
3969Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3970 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3971(@value{GDBP}) c
3972Continuing.
3973
3974Program exited normally.
3975(@value{GDBP})
3976@end smallexample
3977
3978However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
3979in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
3980a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
3981but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
3982
3983@smallexample
3984(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
3985warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
3986Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
3987(@value{GDBP})
3988@end smallexample
3989
3990If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
3991it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
3992architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
3993you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
3994notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
3995name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
3996
3997@smallexample
3998(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3999warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4000warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4001GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4002Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4003(@value{GDBP})
4004@end smallexample
4005
4006Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4007
4008Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4009number. In this case, you would see something like:
4010
4011@smallexample
4012(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4013Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4014@end smallexample
4015
4016Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4017
4018@item fork
4019A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4020and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4021
4022@item vfork
4023A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4024and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4025
4026@end table
4027
4028@item tcatch @var{event}
4029Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4030automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4031
4032@end table
4033
4034Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4035
4036There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4037(@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4038
4039@itemize @bullet
4040@item
4041If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4042control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4043raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4044returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4045simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4046that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4047you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4048disabled within interactive calls.
4049
4050@item
4051You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4052
4053@item
4054You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4055@end itemize
4056
4057@cindex raise exceptions
4058Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4059if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4060stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4061can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4062breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4063out where the exception was raised.
4064
4065To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4066knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4067raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4068which has the following ANSI C interface:
4069
4070@smallexample
4071 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4072 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4073 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4074@end smallexample
4075
4076@noindent
4077To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4078unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4079(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4080
4081With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4082that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4083a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4084breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4085raised.
4086
4087
4088@node Delete Breaks
4089@subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4090
4091@cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4092@cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4093It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4094catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4095to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4096breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4097
4098With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4099where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4100delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4101their breakpoint numbers.
4102
4103It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4104automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4105when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4106
4107@table @code
4108@kindex clear
4109@item clear
4110Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4111selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4112the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4113breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4114
4115@item clear @var{location}
4116Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4117@xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4118most useful ones are listed below:
4119
4120@table @code
4121@item clear @var{function}
4122@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4123Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4124
4125@item clear @var{linenum}
4126@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4127Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4128@var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4129@end table
4130
4131@cindex delete breakpoints
4132@kindex delete
4133@kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4134@item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4135Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4136ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4137breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4138confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4139@end table
4140
4141@node Disabling
4142@subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4143
4144@cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4145Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4146prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4147it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4148that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4149
4150You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4151the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4152one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4153print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4154do not know which numbers to use.
4155
4156Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4157affects all of its locations.
4158
4159A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4160states of enablement:
4161
4162@itemize @bullet
4163@item
4164Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4165with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4166@item
4167Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4168@item
4169Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4170disabled.
4171@item
4172Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4173immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4174set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4175@end itemize
4176
4177You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4178watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4179
4180@table @code
4181@kindex disable
4182@kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4183@item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4184Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4185listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4186options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4187case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4188@code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4189
4190@kindex enable
4191@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4192Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4193become effective once again in stopping your program.
4194
4195@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4196Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4197of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4198
4199@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4200Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4201deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4202Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4203@end table
4204
4205@c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4206@c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4207Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4208,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4209subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4210the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4211breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4212breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4213Stepping}.)
4214
4215@node Conditions
4216@subsection Break Conditions
4217@cindex conditional breakpoints
4218@cindex breakpoint conditions
4219
4220@c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4221@c in particular for a watchpoint?
4222The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4223specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4224breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4225programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4226a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4227and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4228
4229This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4230situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4231when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4232by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4233@samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4234
4235Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4236since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4237it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4238and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4239one.
4240
4241Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4242your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4243that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4244format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4245unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4246that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4247program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4248breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4249conditions for the
4250purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4251(@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4252
4253Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4254@samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4255Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4256with the @code{condition} command.
4257
4258You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4259The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4260@code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4261catchpoint.
4262
4263@table @code
4264@kindex condition
4265@item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4266Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4267watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4268breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4269@var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4270@code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4271syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4272referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4273symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4274prints an error message:
4275
4276@smallexample
4277No symbol "foo" in current context.
4278@end smallexample
4279
4280@noindent
4281@value{GDBN} does
4282not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4283command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4284@code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4285
4286@item condition @var{bnum}
4287Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4288an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4289@end table
4290
4291@cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4292A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4293breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4294useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4295count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4296is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4297therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4298ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4299the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4300value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4301your program reaches it.
4302
4303@table @code
4304@kindex ignore
4305@item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4306Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4307The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4308execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4309takes no action.
4310
4311To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4312a count of zero.
4313
4314When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4315breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4316@code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4317Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4318
4319If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4320condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4321@value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4322
4323You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4324as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4325is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4326Variables}.
4327@end table
4328
4329Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4330
4331
4332@node Break Commands
4333@subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4334
4335@cindex breakpoint commands
4336You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4337commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4338example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4339enable other breakpoints.
4340
4341@table @code
4342@kindex commands
4343@kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4344@item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4345@itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4346@itemx end
4347Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4348themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4349@code{end} to terminate the commands.
4350
4351To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4352follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4353
4354With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4355watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4356encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4357command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4358set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4359@code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4360creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4361Expressions}).
4362@end table
4363
4364Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4365disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4366
4367You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4368use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4369that resumes execution.
4370
4371Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4372execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4373(even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4374another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4375ambiguities about which list to execute.
4376
4377@kindex silent
4378If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4379usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4380be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4381then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4382see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4383meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4384
4385The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4386print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4387breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4388
4389For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4390value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4391
4392@smallexample
4393break foo if x>0
4394commands
4395silent
4396printf "x is %d\n",x
4397cont
4398end
4399@end smallexample
4400
4401One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4402you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4403of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4404erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4405to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4406so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4407command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4408
4409@smallexample
4410break 403
4411commands
4412silent
4413set x = y + 4
4414cont
4415end
4416@end smallexample
4417
4418@node Save Breakpoints
4419@subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4420
4421To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4422breakpoints}} command.
4423
4424@table @code
4425@kindex save breakpoints
4426@cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4427@item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4428This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4429their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4430suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4431types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4432tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4433@code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4434with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4435because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4436watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4437are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4438breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4439and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4440that can no longer be recreated.
4441@end table
4442
4443@c @ifclear BARETARGET
4444@node Error in Breakpoints
4445@subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4446
4447If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4448watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4449
4450@c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4451@c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4452@smallexample
4453Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4454You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4455@end smallexample
4456
4457@noindent
4458This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4459only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4460watchpoints it needs to insert.
4461
4462When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4463hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4464
4465@node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4466@subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4467@cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4468
4469Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4470which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4471@value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4472with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4473
4474One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4475a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4476bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4477constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4478bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4479honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4480first in the bundle.
4481
4482It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4483instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4484a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4485another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4486breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4487printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4488is hit.
4489
4490A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4491that's been subject to address adjustment:
4492
4493@smallexample
4494warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4495@end smallexample
4496
4497Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4498internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4499verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4500desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4501other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4502E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4503instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4504cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4505
4506@value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4507adjusted breakpoints:
4508
4509@smallexample
4510warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4511to 0x00010410.
4512@end smallexample
4513
4514When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4515action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4516frequently than expected.
4517
4518@node Continuing and Stepping
4519@section Continuing and Stepping
4520
4521@cindex stepping
4522@cindex continuing
4523@cindex resuming execution
4524@dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4525completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4526one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4527line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4528particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4529your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4530it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4531@samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4532
4533@table @code
4534@kindex continue
4535@kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4536@kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4537@item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4538@itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4539@itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4540Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4541any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4542@var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4543ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4544@code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4545
4546The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4547stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4548@code{continue} is ignored.
4549
4550The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4551debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4552purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4553@code{continue}.
4554@end table
4555
4556To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4557(@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4558calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4559Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4560
4561A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4562(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4563beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4564is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4565and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4566interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4567
4568@table @code
4569@kindex step
4570@kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4571@item step
4572Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4573line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4574abbreviated @code{s}.
4575
4576@quotation
4577@c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4578@c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4579@c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4580@c distinction here.
4581@emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4582within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4583execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4584debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4585is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4586without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4587below.
4588@end quotation
4589
4590The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4591line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4592@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4593to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4594the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4595called within the line.
4596
4597Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4598number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4599@code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4600on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4601was any debugging information about the routine.
4602
4603@item step @var{count}
4604Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4605breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4606@var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4607
4608@kindex next
4609@kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4610@item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4611Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4612This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4613the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4614control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4615that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4616is abbreviated @code{n}.
4617
4618An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4619
4620
4621@c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4622@c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4623@c
4624@c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4625@c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4626@c function are executed without stopping.
4627
4628The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4629source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4630@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4631
4632@kindex set step-mode
4633@item set step-mode
4634@cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4635@cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4636@itemx set step-mode on
4637The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4638stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4639information rather than stepping over it.
4640
4641This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4642machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4643want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4644
4645@item set step-mode off
4646Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4647debug information. This is the default.
4648
4649@item show step-mode
4650Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4651source line debug information.
4652
4653@kindex finish
4654@kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4655@item finish
4656Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4657returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4658abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4659
4660Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4661,Returning from a Function}).
4662
4663@kindex until
4664@kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4665@cindex run until specified location
4666@item until
4667@itemx u
4668Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4669current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4670stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4671command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4672automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4673than the address of the jump.
4674
4675This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4676though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4677exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4678simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4679through the next iteration.
4680
4681@code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4682stack frame.
4683
4684@code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4685of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4686example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4687(@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4688@code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4689
4690@smallexample
4691(@value{GDBP}) f
4692#0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4693206 expand_input();
4694(@value{GDBP}) until
4695195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4696@end smallexample
4697
4698This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4699generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4700start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4701written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4702to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4703expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4704statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4705
4706@code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4707instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4708argument.
4709
4710@item until @var{location}
4711@itemx u @var{location}
4712Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4713reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4714the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4715This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4716hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4717location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4718implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4719invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4720line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4721line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4722invocations have returned.
4723
4724@smallexample
472594 int factorial (int value)
472695 @{
472796 if (value > 1) @{
472897 value *= factorial (value - 1);
472998 @}
473099 return (value);
4731100 @}
4732@end smallexample
4733
4734
4735@kindex advance @var{location}
4736@itemx advance @var{location}
4737Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4738required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4739@ref{Specify Location}.
4740Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4741frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4742not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4743have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4744
4745
4746@kindex stepi
4747@kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4748@item stepi
4749@itemx stepi @var{arg}
4750@itemx si
4751Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4752
4753It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4754instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4755instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4756Display,, Automatic Display}.
4757
4758An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4759
4760@need 750
4761@kindex nexti
4762@kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4763@item nexti
4764@itemx nexti @var{arg}
4765@itemx ni
4766Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4767proceed until the function returns.
4768
4769An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4770@end table
4771
4772@node Signals
4773@section Signals
4774@cindex signals
4775
4776A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4777operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4778kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4779signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4780@code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4781memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4782the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4783requested an alarm).
4784
4785@cindex fatal signals
4786Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4787functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4788errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4789program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4790@code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4791fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4792
4793@value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4794program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4795signal.
4796
4797@cindex handling signals
4798Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4799@code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4800(so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4801but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4802You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4803
4804@table @code
4805@kindex info signals
4806@kindex info handle
4807@item info signals
4808@itemx info handle
4809Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4810handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4811the defined types of signals.
4812
4813@item info signals @var{sig}
4814Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4815
4816@code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4817
4818@kindex handle
4819@item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4820Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4821can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4822@samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4823@samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4824known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4825say what change to make.
4826@end table
4827
4828@c @group
4829The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4830Their full names are:
4831
4832@table @code
4833@item nostop
4834@value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4835still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4836
4837@item stop
4838@value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4839the @code{print} keyword as well.
4840
4841@item print
4842@value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4843
4844@item noprint
4845@value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4846implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4847
4848@item pass
4849@itemx noignore
4850@value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4851can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4852and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4853
4854@item nopass
4855@itemx ignore
4856@value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4857@code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4858@end table
4859@c @end group
4860
4861When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4862program until you
4863continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4864effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4865after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4866command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4867program sees that signal when you continue.
4868
4869The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4870non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4871@code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4872erroneous signals.
4873
4874You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4875seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4876or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4877due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4878values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4879execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4880a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4881you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4882Program a Signal}.
4883
4884@cindex extra signal information
4885@anchor{extra signal information}
4886
4887On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4888associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4889delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4890by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4891that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4892receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4893target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4894$_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4895standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4896system header.
4897
4898Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4899referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4900
4901@smallexample
4902@group
4903(@value{GDBP}) continue
4904Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
49050x0000000000400766 in main ()
490669 *(int *)p = 0;
4907(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4908type = struct @{
4909 int si_signo;
4910 int si_errno;
4911 int si_code;
4912 union @{
4913 int _pad[28];
4914 struct @{...@} _kill;
4915 struct @{...@} _timer;
4916 struct @{...@} _rt;
4917 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4918 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4919 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4920 @} _sifields;
4921@}
4922(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4923type = struct @{
4924 void *si_addr;
4925@}
4926(@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4927$1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4928@end group
4929@end smallexample
4930
4931Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4932
4933@node Thread Stops
4934@section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4935
4936@cindex stopped threads
4937@cindex threads, stopped
4938
4939@cindex continuing threads
4940@cindex threads, continuing
4941
4942@value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4943(@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4944are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4945debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4946when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4947or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4948@value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4949@dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4950you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4951
4952@menu
4953* All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4954* Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4955* Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4956* Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4957* Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4958@end menu
4959
4960@node All-Stop Mode
4961@subsection All-Stop Mode
4962
4963@cindex all-stop mode
4964
4965In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4966@emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4967allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4968switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4969underfoot.
4970
4971Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4972executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4973like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4974
4975In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4976Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4977system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4978execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4979single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4980statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4981stops.
4982
4983You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4984continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4985thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4986first thread completes whatever you requested.
4987
4988@cindex automatic thread selection
4989@cindex switching threads automatically
4990@cindex threads, automatic switching
4991Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4992signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4993signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4994message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4995thread.
4996
4997On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4998locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4999
5000@table @code
5001@item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5002@cindex scheduler locking mode
5003@cindex lock scheduler
5004Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5005locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5006current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5007mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5008from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5009the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5010Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5011when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5012function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5013like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5014thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5015the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5016
5017@item show scheduler-locking
5018Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5019@end table
5020
5021@cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5022By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5023@code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5024threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5025is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5026@code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5027inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5028forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5029it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5030situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5031of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5032to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5033you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5034inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5035
5036@table @code
5037@kindex set schedule-multiple
5038@item set schedule-multiple
5039Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5040when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5041all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5042of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5043@code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5044or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5045
5046@item show schedule-multiple
5047Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5048multiple processes.
5049@end table
5050
5051@node Non-Stop Mode
5052@subsection Non-Stop Mode
5053
5054@cindex non-stop mode
5055
5056@c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5057@c with more details.
5058
5059For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5060mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5061the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5062minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5063where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5064respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5065
5066In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5067@emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5068threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5069execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5070only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5071in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5072ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5073one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5074one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5075independently and simultaneously.
5076
5077To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5078or attach to your program:
5079
5080@smallexample
5081# Enable the async interface.
5082set target-async 1
5083
5084# If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5085set pagination off
5086
5087# Finally, turn it on!
5088set non-stop on
5089@end smallexample
5090
5091You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5092
5093@table @code
5094@kindex set non-stop
5095@item set non-stop on
5096Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5097@item set non-stop off
5098Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5099@kindex show non-stop
5100@item show non-stop
5101Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5102@end table
5103
5104Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5105not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5106In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5107@value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5108not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5109since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5110non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5111default.
5112
5113In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5114by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5115To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5116
5117You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5118(@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5119while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5120The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5121always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5122
5123Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5124running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5125In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5126but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5127To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5128
5129Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5130
5131In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5132that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5133thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5134command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5135changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5136previously current thread.
5137
5138@node Background Execution
5139@subsection Background Execution
5140
5141@cindex foreground execution
5142@cindex background execution
5143@cindex asynchronous execution
5144@cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5145
5146@value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5147foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5148(asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5149the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5150another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5151a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5152
5153You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5154background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5155manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5156
5157@table @code
5158@kindex set target-async
5159@item set target-async on
5160Enable asynchronous mode.
5161@item set target-async off
5162Disable asynchronous mode.
5163@kindex show target-async
5164@item show target-async
5165Show the current target-async setting.
5166@end table
5167
5168If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5169message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5170
5171To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5172the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5173just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5174are:
5175
5176@table @code
5177@kindex run&
5178@item run
5179@xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5180
5181@item attach
5182@kindex attach&
5183@xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5184
5185@item step
5186@kindex step&
5187@xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5188
5189@item stepi
5190@kindex stepi&
5191@xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5192
5193@item next
5194@kindex next&
5195@xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5196
5197@item nexti
5198@kindex nexti&
5199@xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5200
5201@item continue
5202@kindex continue&
5203@xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5204
5205@item finish
5206@kindex finish&
5207@xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5208
5209@item until
5210@kindex until&
5211@xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5212
5213@end table
5214
5215Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5216mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5217However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5218the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5219previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5220mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5221
5222You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5223using the @code{interrupt} command.
5224
5225@table @code
5226@kindex interrupt
5227@item interrupt
5228@itemx interrupt -a
5229
5230Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5231@code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5232only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5233use @code{interrupt -a}.
5234@end table
5235
5236@node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5237@subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5238
5239When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5240Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5241breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5242
5243@table @code
5244@cindex breakpoints and threads
5245@cindex thread breakpoints
5246@kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5247@item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5248@itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5249@var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5250writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5251specify some source line.
5252
5253Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5254to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5255particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5256numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5257column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5258
5259If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5260breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5261program.
5262
5263You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5264well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5265after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5266
5267@smallexample
5268(@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5269@end smallexample
5270
5271@end table
5272
5273@node Interrupted System Calls
5274@subsection Interrupted System Calls
5275
5276@cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5277@cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5278@cindex premature return from system calls
5279There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5280multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5281breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5282system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5283consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5284that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5285stop execution.
5286
5287To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5288each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5289style anyways.
5290
5291For example, do not write code like this:
5292
5293@smallexample
5294 sleep (10);
5295@end smallexample
5296
5297The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5298at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5299
5300Instead, write this:
5301
5302@smallexample
5303 int unslept = 10;
5304 while (unslept > 0)
5305 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5306@end smallexample
5307
5308A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5309conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5310multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5311@value{GDBN}.
5312
5313Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5314monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5315When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5316prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5317
5318
5319@node Reverse Execution
5320@chapter Running programs backward
5321@cindex reverse execution
5322@cindex running programs backward
5323
5324When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5325you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5326If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5327``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5328
5329A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5330to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5331program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5332revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5333deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5334all target environments can support reverse execution.
5335
5336When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5337have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5338order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5339thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5340the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5341instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5342a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5343should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5344prior values@footnote{
5345Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5346memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5347targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5348
5349The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5350requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5351@value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5352results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5353@value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5354assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5355consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5356}.
5357
5358If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5359reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5360
5361@table @code
5362@kindex reverse-continue
5363@kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5364@item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5365@itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5366Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5367in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5368exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5369asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5370
5371@kindex reverse-step
5372@kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5373@item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5374Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5375different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5376
5377Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5378at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5379executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5380debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5381the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5382statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5383
5384Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5385called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5386
5387@kindex reverse-stepi
5388@kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5389@item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5390Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5391to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5392counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5393if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5394back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5395
5396@kindex reverse-next
5397@kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5398@item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5399Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5400the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5401calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5402the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5403to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5404just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5405line of a function back to its return to its caller
5406@footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5407
5408@kindex reverse-nexti
5409@kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5410@item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5411Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5412in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5413That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5414another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5415in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5416frame) is reached.
5417
5418@kindex reverse-finish
5419@item reverse-finish
5420Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5421current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5422where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5423function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5424
5425@kindex set exec-direction
5426@item set exec-direction
5427Set the direction of target execution.
5428@itemx set exec-direction reverse
5429@cindex execute forward or backward in time
5430@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5431exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5432@code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5433command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5434@item set exec-direction forward
5435@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5436This is the default.
5437@end table
5438
5439
5440@node Process Record and Replay
5441@chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5442@cindex process record and replay
5443@cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5444
5445On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5446and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5447replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5448
5449@cindex replay mode
5450When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5451for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5452mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5453instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5454code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5455really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5456program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5457changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5458execution log.
5459
5460@cindex record mode
5461If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5462@value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5463inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5464for future replay.
5465
5466The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5467(@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5468inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5469this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5470log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5471support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5472
5473When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5474replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5475previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5476platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5477
5478For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5479@value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5480
5481@table @code
5482@kindex target record
5483@kindex record
5484@kindex rec
5485@item target record
5486This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5487record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5488running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5489@kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5490the @kbd{target record} command.
5491
5492Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5493
5494@cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5495Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5496will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5497is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5498doesn't support displaced stepping.
5499
5500@cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5501@cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5502If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5503the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5504process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5505support these two modes.
5506
5507@kindex record stop
5508@kindex rec s
5509@item record stop
5510Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5511replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5512inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5513
5514When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5515the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5516next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5517you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5518will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5519
5520On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5521while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5522but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5523at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5524usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5525
5526When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5527process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5528
5529@kindex set record insn-number-max
5530@item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5531Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5532
5533If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5534deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5535instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5536instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5537instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5538(Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5539lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5540the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5541
5542If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5543instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5544instructions is unlimited in this case.
5545
5546@kindex show record insn-number-max
5547@item show record insn-number-max
5548Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5549
5550@kindex set record stop-at-limit
5551@item set record stop-at-limit
5552Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5553the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5554is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5555inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5556you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5557cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5558
5559If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5560oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5561
5562@kindex show record stop-at-limit
5563@item show record stop-at-limit
5564Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5565
5566@kindex info record
5567@item info record
5568Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5569in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5570
5571@itemize @bullet
5572@item
5573Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5574@item
5575Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5576@item
5577Highest recorded instruction number.
5578@item
5579Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5580@item
5581Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5582@item
5583Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5584@end itemize
5585
5586@kindex record delete
5587@kindex rec del
5588@item record delete
5589When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5590subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5591from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5592recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5593@end table
5594
5595
5596@node Stack
5597@chapter Examining the Stack
5598
5599When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5600stopped and how it got there.
5601
5602@cindex call stack
5603Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5604is generated.
5605That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5606the arguments of the call,
5607and the local variables of the function being called.
5608The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5609The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5610stack}.
5611
5612When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5613stack allow you to see all of this information.
5614
5615@cindex selected frame
5616One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5617@value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5618particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5619your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5620special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5621interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5622
5623When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5624currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5625@code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5626
5627@menu
5628* Frames:: Stack frames
5629* Backtrace:: Backtraces
5630* Selection:: Selecting a frame
5631* Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5632
5633@end menu
5634
5635@node Frames
5636@section Stack Frames
5637
5638@cindex frame, definition
5639@cindex stack frame
5640The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5641frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5642with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5643to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5644which the function is executing.
5645
5646@cindex initial frame
5647@cindex outermost frame
5648@cindex innermost frame
5649When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5650function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5651@dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5652made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5653is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5654the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5655actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5656recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5657
5658@cindex frame pointer
5659Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5660stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5661kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5662address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5663in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5664(@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5665
5666@cindex frame number
5667@value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5668zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5669and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5670they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5671frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5672
5673@c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5674@c underflow problems.
5675@cindex frameless execution
5676Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5677without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5678@smallexample
5679@samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5680@end smallexample
5681generates functions without a frame.)
5682This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5683the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5684with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5685has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5686it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5687correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5688no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5689
5690@table @code
5691@kindex frame@r{, command}
5692@cindex current stack frame
5693@item frame @var{args}
5694The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5695and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5696address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5697@code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5698
5699@kindex select-frame
5700@cindex selecting frame silently
5701@item select-frame
5702The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5703to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5704@code{frame}.
5705@end table
5706
5707@node Backtrace
5708@section Backtraces
5709
5710@cindex traceback
5711@cindex call stack traces
5712A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5713line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5714frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5715stack.
5716
5717@table @code
5718@kindex backtrace
5719@kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5720@item backtrace
5721@itemx bt
5722Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5723frames in the stack.
5724
5725You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5726character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5727
5728@item backtrace @var{n}
5729@itemx bt @var{n}
5730Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5731
5732@item backtrace -@var{n}
5733@itemx bt -@var{n}
5734Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5735
5736@item backtrace full
5737@itemx bt full
5738@itemx bt full @var{n}
5739@itemx bt full -@var{n}
5740Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5741number of frames to print, as described above.
5742@end table
5743
5744@kindex where
5745@kindex info stack
5746The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5747are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5748
5749@cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5750In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5751backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5752several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5753(@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5754apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5755the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5756multi-threaded program.
5757
5758Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5759The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5760print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5761line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5762counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5763line number.
5764
5765Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5766@samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5767
5768@smallexample
5769@group
5770#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5771 at builtin.c:993
5772#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5773#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5774 at macro.c:71
5775(More stack frames follow...)
5776@end group
5777@end smallexample
5778
5779@noindent
5780The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5781value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5782code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5783
5784@noindent
5785The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5786@code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5787only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5788@kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5789on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5790
5791@cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5792@cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5793If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5794optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5795never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5796passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5797in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5798arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5799such a backtrace might look like:
5800
5801@smallexample
5802@group
5803#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5804 at builtin.c:993
5805#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5806#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5807 at macro.c:71
5808(More stack frames follow...)
5809@end group
5810@end smallexample
5811
5812@noindent
5813The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5814shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5815
5816If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5817either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5818you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5819
5820@cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5821@cindex program entry point
5822@cindex startup code, and backtrace
5823Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5824libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5825@code{main}@footnote{
5826Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5827environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5828entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5829When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5830it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5831system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5832
5833If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5834in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5835
5836@table @code
5837@item set backtrace past-main
5838@itemx set backtrace past-main on
5839@kindex set backtrace
5840Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5841
5842@item set backtrace past-main off
5843Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5844default.
5845
5846@item show backtrace past-main
5847@kindex show backtrace
5848Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5849
5850@item set backtrace past-entry
5851@itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5852Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5853This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5854and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5855
5856@item set backtrace past-entry off
5857Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5858application. This is the default.
5859
5860@item show backtrace past-entry
5861Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5862
5863@item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5864@itemx set backtrace limit 0
5865@cindex backtrace limit
5866Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5867unlimited.
5868
5869@item show backtrace limit
5870Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5871@end table
5872
5873@node Selection
5874@section Selecting a Frame
5875
5876Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5877whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5878selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5879of the stack frame just selected.
5880
5881@table @code
5882@kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5883@kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5884@item frame @var{n}
5885@itemx f @var{n}
5886Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5887(currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5888innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5889@code{main}.
5890
5891@item frame @var{addr}
5892@itemx f @var{addr}
5893Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5894chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5895impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5896addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5897switches between them.
5898
5899On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5900select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5901
5902On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5903pointer and a program counter.
5904
5905On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5906pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5907
5908@kindex up
5909@item up @var{n}
5910Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5911advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5912that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5913
5914@kindex down
5915@kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5916@item down @var{n}
5917Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5918advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5919that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5920abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5921@end table
5922
5923All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5924frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5925arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5926frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5927
5928@need 1000
5929For example:
5930
5931@smallexample
5932@group
5933(@value{GDBP}) up
5934#1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5935 at env.c:10
593610 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5937@end group
5938@end smallexample
5939
5940After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5941prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5942You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5943editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5944@xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5945for details.
5946
5947@table @code
5948@kindex down-silently
5949@kindex up-silently
5950@item up-silently @var{n}
5951@itemx down-silently @var{n}
5952These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5953respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5954causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5955in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5956distracting.
5957@end table
5958
5959@node Frame Info
5960@section Information About a Frame
5961
5962There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5963stack frame.
5964
5965@table @code
5966@item frame
5967@itemx f
5968When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5969frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5970selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5971argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5972@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5973
5974@kindex info frame
5975@kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5976@item info frame
5977@itemx info f
5978This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5979including:
5980
5981@itemize @bullet
5982@item
5983the address of the frame
5984@item
5985the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5986@item
5987the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5988@item
5989the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5990@item
5991the address of the frame's arguments
5992@item
5993the address of the frame's local variables
5994@item
5995the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5996@item
5997which registers were saved in the frame
5998@end itemize
5999
6000@noindent The verbose description is useful when
6001something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6002the usual conventions.
6003
6004@item info frame @var{addr}
6005@itemx info f @var{addr}
6006Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6007selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6008command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6009architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6010@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6011
6012@kindex info args
6013@item info args
6014Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6015
6016@item info locals
6017@kindex info locals
6018Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6019line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6020accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6021
6022@kindex info catch
6023@cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6024@cindex exception handlers, how to list
6025@item info catch
6026Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6027current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6028exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6029@code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6030@xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6031
6032@end table
6033
6034
6035@node Source
6036@chapter Examining Source Files
6037
6038@value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6039information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6040used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6041the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6042(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6043execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6044source files by explicit command.
6045
6046If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6047prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6048@value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6049
6050@menu
6051* List:: Printing source lines
6052* Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6053* Edit:: Editing source files
6054* Search:: Searching source files
6055* Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6056* Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6057@end menu
6058
6059@node List
6060@section Printing Source Lines
6061
6062@kindex list
6063@kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6064To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6065(abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6066There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6067print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6068
6069Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6070
6071@table @code
6072@item list @var{linenum}
6073Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6074current source file.
6075
6076@item list @var{function}
6077Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6078@var{function}.
6079
6080@item list
6081Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6082@code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6083printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6084as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6085Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6086
6087@item list -
6088Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6089@end table
6090
6091@cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6092By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6093the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6094
6095@table @code
6096@kindex set listsize
6097@item set listsize @var{count}
6098Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6099the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6100
6101@kindex show listsize
6102@item show listsize
6103Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6104@end table
6105
6106Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6107so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6108than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6109argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6110each repetition moves up in the source file.
6111
6112In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6113@dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6114of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6115to specify some source line.
6116
6117Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6118
6119@table @code
6120@item list @var{linespec}
6121Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6122
6123@item list @var{first},@var{last}
6124Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6125linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6126source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6127the same source file as the first linespec.
6128
6129@item list ,@var{last}
6130Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6131
6132@item list @var{first},
6133Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6134
6135@item list +
6136Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6137
6138@item list -
6139Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6140
6141@item list
6142As described in the preceding table.
6143@end table
6144
6145@node Specify Location
6146@section Specifying a Location
6147@cindex specifying location
6148@cindex linespec
6149
6150Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6151of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6152debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6153for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6154
6155Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6156@value{GDBN} understands:
6157
6158@table @code
6159@item @var{linenum}
6160Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6161
6162@item -@var{offset}
6163@itemx +@var{offset}
6164Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6165line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6166printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6167execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6168(@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6169used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6170this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6171linespec.
6172
6173@item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6174Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6175
6176@item @var{function}
6177Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6178For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6179
6180@item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6181Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6182in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6183function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6184functions in different source files.
6185
6186@item *@var{address}
6187Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6188commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6189line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6190breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6191parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6192source files.
6193
6194Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6195language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6196address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6197semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6198that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6199of @var{address}:
6200
6201@table @code
6202@item @var{expression}
6203Any expression valid in the current working language.
6204
6205@item @var{funcaddr}
6206An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6207C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6208simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6209of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6210@code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6211(although the Pascal form also works).
6212
6213This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6214before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6215
6216@item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6217Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6218file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6219specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6220functions with identical names in different source files.
6221@end table
6222
6223@end table
6224
6225
6226@node Edit
6227@section Editing Source Files
6228@cindex editing source files
6229
6230@kindex edit
6231@kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6232To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6233The editing program of your choice
6234is invoked with the current line set to
6235the active line in the program.
6236Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6237want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6238
6239@table @code
6240@item edit @var{location}
6241Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6242that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6243specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6244of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6245command most commonly used:
6246
6247@table @code
6248@item edit @var{number}
6249Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6250
6251@item edit @var{function}
6252Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6253@end table
6254
6255@end table
6256
6257@subsection Choosing your Editor
6258You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6259@footnote{
6260The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6261following command-line syntax:
6262@smallexample
6263ex +@var{number} file
6264@end smallexample
6265The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6266the file where to start editing.}.
6267By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6268by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6269@value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6270@code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6271@smallexample
6272EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6273export EDITOR
6274gdb @dots{}
6275@end smallexample
6276or in the @code{csh} shell,
6277@smallexample
6278setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6279gdb @dots{}
6280@end smallexample
6281
6282@node Search
6283@section Searching Source Files
6284@cindex searching source files
6285
6286There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6287regular expression.
6288
6289@table @code
6290@kindex search
6291@kindex forward-search
6292@item forward-search @var{regexp}
6293@itemx search @var{regexp}
6294The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6295starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6296@var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6297synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6298@code{fo}.
6299
6300@kindex reverse-search
6301@item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6302The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6303with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6304for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6305this command as @code{rev}.
6306@end table
6307
6308@node Source Path
6309@section Specifying Source Directories
6310
6311@cindex source path
6312@cindex directories for source files
6313Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6314files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6315the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6316session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6317this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6318it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6319in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6320
6321For example, suppose an executable references the file
6322@file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6323@file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6324fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6325fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6326message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6327source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6328Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6329the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6330@file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6331@file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6332
6333Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6334names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6335instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6336is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6337@file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6338that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6339
6340Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6341source files.
6342
6343Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6344any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6345each line is in the file.
6346
6347@kindex directory
6348@kindex dir
6349When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6350and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6351To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6352
6353The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6354script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6355
6356In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6357that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6358rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6359debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6360directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6361two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6362the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6363In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6364@var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6365of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6366source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6367name to look up the sources.
6368
6369Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6370moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6371@value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6372@file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6373@file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6374of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6375substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6376(@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6377
6378To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6379@var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6380For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6381@file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6382not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6383is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6384not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6385
6386In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6387command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6388the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6389subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6390subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6391preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6392allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6393command.
6394
6395@code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6396The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6397longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6398the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6399for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6400located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6401method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6402
6403@cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6404@cindex default source path substitution
6405You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6406configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6407@samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6408should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6409prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6410directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6411automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6412location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6413with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6414together.
6415
6416@table @code
6417@item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6418@item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6419Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6420directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6421(@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6422part of absolute file names) or
6423whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6424path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6425
6426@kindex cdir
6427@kindex cwd
6428@vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6429@vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6430@cindex compilation directory
6431@cindex current directory
6432@cindex working directory
6433@cindex directory, current
6434@cindex directory, compilation
6435You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6436directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6437working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6438tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6439session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6440directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6441
6442@item directory
6443Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6444
6445@c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6446@c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6447
6448@item show directories
6449@kindex show directories
6450Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6451
6452@anchor{set substitute-path}
6453@item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6454@kindex set substitute-path
6455Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6456current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6457@var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6458
6459For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6460@file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6461
6462@smallexample
6463(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6464@end smallexample
6465
6466@noindent
6467will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6468@samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6469@file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6470
6471In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6472the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6473defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6474the substitution.
6475
6476For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6477
6478@smallexample
6479(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6480(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6481@end smallexample
6482
6483@noindent
6484@value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6485@file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6486use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6487@file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6488
6489
6490@item unset substitute-path [path]
6491@kindex unset substitute-path
6492If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6493for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6494A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6495
6496If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6497
6498@item show substitute-path [path]
6499@kindex show substitute-path
6500If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6501which would rewrite that path, if any.
6502
6503If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6504rules.
6505
6506@end table
6507
6508If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6509interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6510versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6511
6512@enumerate
6513@item
6514Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6515
6516@item
6517Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6518directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6519directories in one command.
6520@end enumerate
6521
6522@node Machine Code
6523@section Source and Machine Code
6524@cindex source line and its code address
6525
6526You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6527addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6528a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6529@code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6530source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6531mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6532line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6533well as hex.
6534
6535@table @code
6536@kindex info line
6537@item info line @var{linespec}
6538Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6539source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6540the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6541@end table
6542
6543For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6544the object code for the first line of function
6545@code{m4_changequote}:
6546
6547@c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6548@c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6549@smallexample
6550(@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6551Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6552@end smallexample
6553
6554@noindent
6555@cindex code address and its source line
6556We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6557@var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6558@smallexample
6559(@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6560Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6561@end smallexample
6562
6563@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6564@cindex @code{x} command, default address
6565@kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6566After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6567is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6568sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6569,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6570convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6571Variables}).
6572
6573@table @code
6574@kindex disassemble
6575@cindex assembly instructions
6576@cindex instructions, assembly
6577@cindex machine instructions
6578@cindex listing machine instructions
6579@item disassemble
6580@itemx disassemble /m
6581@itemx disassemble /r
6582This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6583instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6584the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6585in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6586The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6587program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6588command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6589surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6590be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6591arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6592to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6593there could be several functions in the given range).
6594
6595The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6596@samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6597
6598If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6599the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6600@end table
6601
6602The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6603HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6604
6605@smallexample
6606(@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6607Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6608 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6609 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6610 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6611 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6612 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6613 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6614 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6615 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6616End of assembler dump.
6617@end smallexample
6618
6619Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6620program is stopped just after function prologue:
6621
6622@smallexample
6623(@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6624Dump of assembler code for function main:
66255 @{
6626 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6627 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6628 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6629 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6630 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6631
66326 printf ("Hello.\n");
6633=> 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6634 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6635
66367 return 0;
66378 @}
6638 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6639 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6640 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6641
6642End of assembler dump.
6643@end smallexample
6644
6645Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6646mnemonics or other syntax.
6647
6648For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6649instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6650libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6651location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6652might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6653
6654@table @code
6655@kindex set disassembly-flavor
6656@cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6657@cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6658@item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6659Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6660program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6661
6662Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6663can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6664The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6665assemblers for x86-based targets.
6666
6667@kindex show disassembly-flavor
6668@item show disassembly-flavor
6669Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6670@end table
6671
6672@table @code
6673@kindex set disassemble-next-line
6674@kindex show disassemble-next-line
6675@item set disassemble-next-line
6676@itemx show disassemble-next-line
6677Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6678line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6679display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6680program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6681displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6682possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6683(e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6684info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6685next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6686AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6687if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6688@value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6689with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6690OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6691instruction.
6692@end table
6693
6694
6695@node Data
6696@chapter Examining Data
6697
6698@cindex printing data
6699@cindex examining data
6700@kindex print
6701@kindex inspect
6702@c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6703@c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6704@c different window or something like that.
6705The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6706command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6707evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6708program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6709Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6710Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6711
6712@table @code
6713@item print @var{expr}
6714@itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6715@var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6716value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6717you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6718@var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6719Formats}.
6720
6721@item print
6722@itemx print /@var{f}
6723@cindex reprint the last value
6724If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6725@dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6726conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6727@end table
6728
6729A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6730It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6731specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6732
6733If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6734fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6735command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6736Table}.
6737
6738@menu
6739* Expressions:: Expressions
6740* Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6741* Variables:: Program variables
6742* Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6743* Output Formats:: Output formats
6744* Memory:: Examining memory
6745* Auto Display:: Automatic display
6746* Print Settings:: Print settings
6747* Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6748* Value History:: Value history
6749* Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6750* Registers:: Registers
6751* Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6752* Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6753* OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6754* Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6755* Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6756* Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6757* Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6758 character set than GDB does
6759* Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6760* Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6761@end menu
6762
6763@node Expressions
6764@section Expressions
6765
6766@cindex expressions
6767@code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6768compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6769by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6770@value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6771casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6772you compiled your program to include this information; see
6773@ref{Compilation}.
6774
6775@cindex arrays in expressions
6776@value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6777the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6778you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6779of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6780to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6781is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6782
6783Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6784this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6785Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6786languages.
6787
6788In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6789expressions regardless of your programming language.
6790
6791@cindex casts, in expressions
6792Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6793useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6794at that address in memory.
6795@c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6796
6797@value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6798to programming languages:
6799
6800@table @code
6801@item @@
6802@samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6803@xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6804
6805@item ::
6806@samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6807function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6808
6809@cindex @{@var{type}@}
6810@cindex type casting memory
6811@cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6812@cindex casts, to view memory
6813@item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6814Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6815memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6816pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6817a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6818normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6819@end table
6820
6821@node Ambiguous Expressions
6822@section Ambiguous Expressions
6823@cindex ambiguous expressions
6824
6825Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6826some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6827a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6828different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6829involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6830templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6831the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6832
6833In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6834the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6835can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6836@kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6837qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6838as well.
6839
6840When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6841has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6842possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6843The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6844aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6845used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6846menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6847choices.
6848
6849For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6850breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6851We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6852
6853@c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6854@smallexample
6855@group
6856(@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6857[0] cancel
6858[1] all
6859[2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6860[3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6861[4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6862[5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6863[6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6864[7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6865> 2 4 6
6866Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6867Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6868Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6869Multiple breakpoints were set.
6870Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6871 breakpoints.
6872(@value{GDBP})
6873@end group
6874@end smallexample
6875
6876@table @code
6877@kindex set multiple-symbols
6878@item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6879@cindex multiple-symbols menu
6880
6881This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6882is ambiguous.
6883
6884By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6885the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6886automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6887a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6888inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6889then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6890For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6891in the use of the menu.
6892
6893When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6894when an ambiguity is detected.
6895
6896Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6897an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6898
6899@kindex show multiple-symbols
6900@item show multiple-symbols
6901Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6902@end table
6903
6904@node Variables
6905@section Program Variables
6906
6907The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6908in your program.
6909
6910Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6911(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6912
6913@itemize @bullet
6914@item
6915global (or file-static)
6916@end itemize
6917
6918@noindent or
6919
6920@itemize @bullet
6921@item
6922visible according to the scope rules of the
6923programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6924@end itemize
6925
6926@noindent This means that in the function
6927
6928@smallexample
6929foo (a)
6930 int a;
6931@{
6932 bar (a);
6933 @{
6934 int b = test ();
6935 bar (b);
6936 @}
6937@}
6938@end smallexample
6939
6940@noindent
6941you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6942executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6943examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6944the block where @code{b} is declared.
6945
6946@cindex variable name conflict
6947There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6948scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6949in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6950function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6951happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6952you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6953using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6954
6955@cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6956@ifnotinfo
6957@c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6958@cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6959@end ifnotinfo
6960@smallexample
6961@var{file}::@var{variable}
6962@var{function}::@var{variable}
6963@end smallexample
6964
6965@noindent
6966Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6967static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6968make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6969to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6970
6971@smallexample
6972(@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6973@end smallexample
6974
6975@cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6976This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6977use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6978scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6979@c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6980@c conflict?? --mew
6981
6982@cindex wrong values
6983@cindex variable values, wrong
6984@cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6985@cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6986@quotation
6987@emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6988wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6989scope, and just before exit.
6990@end quotation
6991You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6992This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6993set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6994stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6995values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6996also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6997after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6998variable definitions may be gone.
6999
7000This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7001To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7002when compiling.
7003
7004@cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7005Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7006unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7007opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7008offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7009might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7010happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7011
7012@smallexample
7013No symbol "foo" in current context.
7014@end smallexample
7015
7016To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7017different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7018formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7019usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7020produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7021COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7022an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7023for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7024Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7025@xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7026that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7027
7028If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7029@value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7030by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7031type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7032
7033Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7034signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7035printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7036@code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7037defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7038For program code
7039
7040@smallexample
7041char var0[] = "A";
7042signed char var1[] = "A";
7043@end smallexample
7044
7045You get during debugging
7046@smallexample
7047(gdb) print var0
7048$1 = "A"
7049(gdb) print var1
7050$2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7051@end smallexample
7052
7053@node Arrays
7054@section Artificial Arrays
7055
7056@cindex artificial array
7057@cindex arrays
7058@kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7059It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7060same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7061dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7062program.
7063
7064You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7065@dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7066operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7067and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7068of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7069the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7070argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7071following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7072example. If a program says
7073
7074@smallexample
7075int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7076@end smallexample
7077
7078@noindent
7079you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7080
7081@smallexample
7082p *array@@len
7083@end smallexample
7084
7085The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7086with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7087subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7088Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7089(@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7090
7091Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7092This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7093The value need not be in memory:
7094@smallexample
7095(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7096$1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7097@end smallexample
7098
7099As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7100@samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7101the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7102@smallexample
7103(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7104$2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7105@end smallexample
7106
7107Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7108moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7109actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7110of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7111to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7112Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7113interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7114instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7115structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7116in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7117
7118@smallexample
7119set $i = 0
7120p dtab[$i++]->fv
7121@key{RET}
7122@key{RET}
7123@dots{}
7124@end smallexample
7125
7126@node Output Formats
7127@section Output Formats
7128
7129@cindex formatted output
7130@cindex output formats
7131By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7132this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7133in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7134at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7135these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7136
7137The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7138already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7139@code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7140letters supported are:
7141
7142@table @code
7143@item x
7144Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7145hexadecimal.
7146
7147@item d
7148Print as integer in signed decimal.
7149
7150@item u
7151Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7152
7153@item o
7154Print as integer in octal.
7155
7156@item t
7157Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7158@footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7159used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7160see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7161
7162@item a
7163@cindex unknown address, locating
7164@cindex locate address
7165Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7166the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7167where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7168
7169@smallexample
7170(@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7171$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7172@end smallexample
7173
7174@noindent
7175The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7176@xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7177
7178@item c
7179Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7180prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7181character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7182for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7183
7184Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7185@w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7186constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7187data.
7188
7189@item f
7190Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7191using typical floating point syntax.
7192
7193@item s
7194@cindex printing strings
7195@cindex printing byte arrays
7196Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7197data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7198are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7199natural types.
7200
7201Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7202@code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7203strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7204array.
7205
7206@item r
7207@cindex raw printing
7208Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7209use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7210Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7211value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7212pretty-printer which might exist.
7213@end table
7214
7215For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7216
7217@smallexample
7218p/x $pc
7219@end smallexample
7220
7221@noindent
7222Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7223names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7224
7225To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7226you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7227expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7228
7229@node Memory
7230@section Examining Memory
7231
7232You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7233any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7234
7235@cindex examining memory
7236@table @code
7237@kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7238@item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7239@itemx x @var{addr}
7240@itemx x
7241Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7242@end table
7243
7244@var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7245much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7246expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7247If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7248Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7249
7250@table @r
7251@item @var{n}, the repeat count
7252The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7253how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7254@c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7255@c 4.1.2.
7256
7257@item @var{f}, the display format
7258The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7259(@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7260@samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7261The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7262each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7263
7264@item @var{u}, the unit size
7265The unit size is any of
7266
7267@table @code
7268@item b
7269Bytes.
7270@item h
7271Halfwords (two bytes).
7272@item w
7273Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7274@item g
7275Giant words (eight bytes).
7276@end table
7277
7278Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7279default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7280the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7281the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7282Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
728332-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7284Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7285current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7286modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7287UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7288be altered.
7289
7290@item @var{addr}, starting display address
7291@var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7292memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7293it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7294@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7295@var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7296other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7297the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7298starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7299a value from memory).
7300@end table
7301
7302For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7303(@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7304starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7305words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7306@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7307
7308Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7309letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7310unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7311specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7312(However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7313
7314Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7315and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7316@samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7317including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7318the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7319slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7320follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7321@code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7322instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7323
7324All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7325easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7326you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7327instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7328with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7329the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7330for successive uses of @code{x}.
7331
7332When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7333counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7334
7335@smallexample
7336(@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7337 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7338 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7339 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7340=> 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7341 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7342@end smallexample
7343
7344@cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7345The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7346in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7347would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7348subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7349@code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7350examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7351@code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7352the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7353
7354If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7355are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7356address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7357
7358@cindex remote memory comparison
7359@cindex verify remote memory image
7360When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7361(@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7362remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7363the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7364situations.
7365
7366@table @code
7367@kindex compare-sections
7368@item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7369Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7370executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7371the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7372arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7373availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7374remote request.
7375@end table
7376
7377@node Auto Display
7378@section Automatic Display
7379@cindex automatic display
7380@cindex display of expressions
7381
7382If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7383(to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7384display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7385Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7386to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7387The automatic display looks like this:
7388
7389@smallexample
73902: foo = 38
73913: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7392@end smallexample
7393
7394@noindent
7395This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7396displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7397specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7398whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7399specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7400or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7401
7402@table @code
7403@kindex display
7404@item display @var{expr}
7405Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7406each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7407
7408@code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7409
7410@item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7411For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7412count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7413arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7414@xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7415
7416@item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7417For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7418number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7419be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7420doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7421@end table
7422
7423For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7424instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7425is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7426
7427@table @code
7428@kindex delete display
7429@kindex undisplay
7430@item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7431@itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7432Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7433
7434@code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7435(Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7436
7437@kindex disable display
7438@item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7439Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7440item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7441enabled again later.
7442
7443@kindex enable display
7444@item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7445Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7446again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7447
7448@item display
7449Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7450done when your program stops.
7451
7452@kindex info display
7453@item info display
7454Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7455automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7456values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7457It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7458because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7459@end table
7460
7461@cindex display disabled out of scope
7462If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7463sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7464expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7465variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7466@code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7467@code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7468continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7469there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7470automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7471is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7472
7473@node Print Settings
7474@section Print Settings
7475
7476@cindex format options
7477@cindex print settings
7478@value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7479and symbols are printed.
7480
7481@noindent
7482These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7483
7484@table @code
7485@kindex set print
7486@item set print address
7487@itemx set print address on
7488@cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7489@value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7490traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7491even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7492is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7493@code{set print address on}:
7494
7495@smallexample
7496@group
7497(@value{GDBP}) f
7498#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7499 at input.c:530
7500530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7501@end group
7502@end smallexample
7503
7504@item set print address off
7505Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7506this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7507
7508@smallexample
7509@group
7510(@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7511(@value{GDBP}) f
7512#0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7513530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7514@end group
7515@end smallexample
7516
7517You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7518dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7519@code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7520all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7521
7522@kindex show print
7523@item show print address
7524Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7525@end table
7526
7527When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7528closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7529identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7530source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7531@code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7532you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7533it prints a symbolic address:
7534
7535@table @code
7536@item set print symbol-filename on
7537@cindex source file and line of a symbol
7538@cindex symbol, source file and line
7539Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7540symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7541
7542@item set print symbol-filename off
7543Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7544default.
7545
7546@item show print symbol-filename
7547Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7548line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7549@end table
7550
7551Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7552numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7553number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7554
7555Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7556printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7557
7558@table @code
7559@item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7560@cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7561Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7562offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7563@var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7564to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7565
7566@item show print max-symbolic-offset
7567Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7568symbolic address.
7569@end table
7570
7571@cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7572@cindex pointer, finding referent
7573If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7574@samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7575and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7576@samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7577For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7578at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7579
7580@smallexample
7581(@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7582(@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7583$4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7584@end smallexample
7585
7586@quotation
7587@emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7588does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7589the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7590@end quotation
7591
7592Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7593
7594@table @code
7595@item set print array
7596@itemx set print array on
7597@cindex pretty print arrays
7598Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7599but uses more space. The default is off.
7600
7601@item set print array off
7602Return to compressed format for arrays.
7603
7604@item show print array
7605Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7606arrays.
7607
7608@cindex print array indexes
7609@item set print array-indexes
7610@itemx set print array-indexes on
7611Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7612convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7613index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7614
7615@item set print array-indexes off
7616Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7617
7618@item show print array-indexes
7619Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7620arrays.
7621
7622@item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7623@cindex number of array elements to print
7624@cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7625Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7626If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7627printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7628This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7629When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7630Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7631
7632@item show print elements
7633Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7634If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7635
7636@item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7637@kindex set print frame-arguments
7638@cindex printing frame argument values
7639@cindex print all frame argument values
7640@cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7641@cindex do not print frame argument values
7642This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7643when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7644values are:
7645
7646@table @code
7647@item all
7648The values of all arguments are printed.
7649
7650@item scalars
7651Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7652complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7653by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7654only scalar arguments are shown:
7655
7656@smallexample
7657#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7658 at frame-args.c:23
7659@end smallexample
7660
7661@item none
7662None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7663is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7664
7665@smallexample
7666#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7667 at frame-args.c:23
7668@end smallexample
7669@end table
7670
7671By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7672to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7673of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7674of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7675information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7676Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7677the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7678especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7679to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7680thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7681
7682@item show print frame-arguments
7683Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7684
7685@item set print repeats
7686@cindex repeated array elements
7687Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7688elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7689array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7690@code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7691identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7692themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7693be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7694
7695@item show print repeats
7696Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7697elements.
7698
7699@item set print null-stop
7700@cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7701Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7702@sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7703contain only short strings.
7704The default is off.
7705
7706@item show print null-stop
7707Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7708@sc{null} character.
7709
7710@item set print pretty on
7711@cindex print structures in indented form
7712@cindex indentation in structure display
7713Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7714per line, like this:
7715
7716@smallexample
7717@group
7718$1 = @{
7719 next = 0x0,
7720 flags = @{
7721 sweet = 1,
7722 sour = 1
7723 @},
7724 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7725@}
7726@end group
7727@end smallexample
7728
7729@item set print pretty off
7730Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7731
7732@smallexample
7733@group
7734$1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7735meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7736@end group
7737@end smallexample
7738
7739@noindent
7740This is the default format.
7741
7742@item show print pretty
7743Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7744
7745@item set print sevenbit-strings on
7746@cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7747@cindex octal escapes in strings
7748Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7749@value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7750character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7751best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7752high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7753
7754@item set print sevenbit-strings off
7755Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7756international character sets, and is the default.
7757
7758@item show print sevenbit-strings
7759Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7760
7761@item set print union on
7762@cindex unions in structures, printing
7763Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7764and other unions. This is the default setting.
7765
7766@item set print union off
7767Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7768structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7769instead.
7770
7771@item show print union
7772Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7773structures and other unions.
7774
7775For example, given the declarations
7776
7777@smallexample
7778typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7779typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7780typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7781 Bug_forms;
7782
7783struct thing @{
7784 Species it;
7785 union @{
7786 Tree_forms tree;
7787 Bug_forms bug;
7788 @} form;
7789@};
7790
7791struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7792@end smallexample
7793
7794@noindent
7795with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7796
7797@smallexample
7798$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7799@end smallexample
7800
7801@noindent
7802and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7803
7804@smallexample
7805$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7806@end smallexample
7807
7808@noindent
7809@code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7810and in Pascal.
7811@end table
7812
7813@need 1000
7814@noindent
7815These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7816
7817@table @code
7818@cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7819@item set print demangle
7820@itemx set print demangle on
7821Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7822(``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7823linkage. The default is on.
7824
7825@item show print demangle
7826Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7827
7828@item set print asm-demangle
7829@itemx set print asm-demangle on
7830Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7831in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7832The default is off.
7833
7834@item show print asm-demangle
7835Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7836or demangled form.
7837
7838@cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7839@cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7840@kindex set demangle-style
7841@item set demangle-style @var{style}
7842Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7843represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7844
7845@table @code
7846@item auto
7847Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7848
7849@item gnu
7850Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7851This is the default.
7852
7853@item hp
7854Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7855
7856@item lucid
7857Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7858
7859@item arm
7860Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7861@strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7862debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7863require further enhancement to permit that.
7864
7865@end table
7866If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7867
7868@item show demangle-style
7869Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7870
7871@item set print object
7872@itemx set print object on
7873@cindex derived type of an object, printing
7874@cindex display derived types
7875When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7876(derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7877the virtual function table.
7878
7879@item set print object off
7880Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7881virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7882
7883@item show print object
7884Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7885
7886@item set print static-members
7887@itemx set print static-members on
7888@cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7889Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7890
7891@item set print static-members off
7892Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7893
7894@item show print static-members
7895Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7896
7897@item set print pascal_static-members
7898@itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7899@cindex static members of Pascal objects
7900@cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7901Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7902
7903@item set print pascal_static-members off
7904Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7905
7906@item show print pascal_static-members
7907Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7908
7909@c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7910@item set print vtbl
7911@itemx set print vtbl on
7912@cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7913@cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7914@cindex VTBL display
7915Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7916(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7917ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7918
7919@item set print vtbl off
7920Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7921
7922@item show print vtbl
7923Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7924@end table
7925
7926@node Pretty Printing
7927@section Pretty Printing
7928
7929@value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
7930Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
7931mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
7932
7933For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
7934pretty-printer:
7935
7936@smallexample
7937(@value{GDBP}) print s
7938$1 = @{
7939 static npos = 4294967295,
7940 _M_dataplus = @{
7941 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
7942 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
7943 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
7944 @},
7945 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
7946 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
7947 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
7948 @}
7949@}
7950@end smallexample
7951
7952With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
7953
7954@smallexample
7955(@value{GDBP}) print s
7956$2 = "abcd"
7957@end smallexample
7958
7959For implementing pretty printers for new types you should read the Python API
7960details (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
7961
7962@node Value History
7963@section Value History
7964
7965@cindex value history
7966@cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7967Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7968@dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7969Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7970(for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7971When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7972since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7973symbol table.
7974
7975@cindex @code{$}
7976@cindex @code{$$}
7977@cindex history number
7978The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7979refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7980@code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7981printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7982history number.
7983
7984To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7985history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7986remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7987the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7988@code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7989is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7990@code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7991
7992For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7993want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7994
7995@smallexample
7996p *$
7997@end smallexample
7998
7999If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8000to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8001
8002@smallexample
8003p *$.next
8004@end smallexample
8005
8006@noindent
8007You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8008command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8009
8010Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8011@code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8012
8013@smallexample
8014print x
8015set x=5
8016@end smallexample
8017
8018@noindent
8019then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8020remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8021
8022@table @code
8023@kindex show values
8024@item show values
8025Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8026This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8027values} does not change the history.
8028
8029@item show values @var{n}
8030Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8031
8032@item show values +
8033Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8034values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8035@end table
8036
8037Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8038same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8039
8040@node Convenience Vars
8041@section Convenience Variables
8042
8043@cindex convenience variables
8044@cindex user-defined variables
8045@value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8046@value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8047exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8048setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8049of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8050
8051Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8052@samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8053the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8054(Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8055by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8056
8057You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8058expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8059For example:
8060
8061@smallexample
8062set $foo = *object_ptr
8063@end smallexample
8064
8065@noindent
8066would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8067@code{object_ptr}.
8068
8069Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8070value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8071value with another assignment at any time.
8072
8073Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8074variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8075that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8076variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8077
8078@table @code
8079@kindex show convenience
8080@cindex show all user variables
8081@item show convenience
8082Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8083Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8084
8085@kindex init-if-undefined
8086@cindex convenience variables, initializing
8087@item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8088Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8089for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8090to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8091convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8092override default values used in a command script.
8093
8094If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8095any side-effects do not occur.
8096@end table
8097
8098One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8099incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8100a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8101
8102@smallexample
8103set $i = 0
8104print bar[$i++]->contents
8105@end smallexample
8106
8107@noindent
8108Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8109
8110Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8111values likely to be useful.
8112
8113@table @code
8114@vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8115@item $_
8116The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8117the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8118commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8119set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8120and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8121except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8122to the type of @code{$__}.
8123
8124@vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8125@item $__
8126The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8127to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8128to match the format in which the data was printed.
8129
8130@item $_exitcode
8131@vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8132The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8133the program being debugged terminates.
8134
8135@item $_siginfo
8136@vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8137The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8138(@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8139could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8140For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8141
8142@item $_tlb
8143@vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8144The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8145applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8146gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8147@xref{General Query Packets}.
8148This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8149
8150@end table
8151
8152On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8153begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8154name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8155
8156@cindex convenience functions
8157@value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8158have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8159function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8160however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8161@value{GDBN}.
8162
8163@table @code
8164@item help function
8165@kindex help function
8166@cindex show all convenience functions
8167Print a list of all convenience functions.
8168@end table
8169
8170@node Registers
8171@section Registers
8172
8173@cindex registers
8174You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8175with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8176for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8177your machine.
8178
8179@table @code
8180@kindex info registers
8181@item info registers
8182Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8183and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8184
8185@kindex info all-registers
8186@cindex floating point registers
8187@item info all-registers
8188Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8189and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8190
8191@item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8192Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8193As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8194the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8195the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8196@end table
8197
8198@cindex stack pointer register
8199@cindex program counter register
8200@cindex process status register
8201@cindex frame pointer register
8202@cindex standard registers
8203@value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8204expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8205architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8206@code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8207the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8208pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8209register that contains the processor status. For example,
8210you could print the program counter in hex with
8211
8212@smallexample
8213p/x $pc
8214@end smallexample
8215
8216@noindent
8217or print the instruction to be executed next with
8218
8219@smallexample
8220x/i $pc
8221@end smallexample
8222
8223@noindent
8224or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8225one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8226memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8227stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8228stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8229regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8230see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8231
8232@smallexample
8233set $sp += 4
8234@end smallexample
8235
8236Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8237your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8238so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8239shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8240registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8241can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8242is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8243
8244@value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8245integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8246special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8247registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8248to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8249(although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8250@samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8251
8252Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8253means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8254the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8255sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8256coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8257programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8258cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8259that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8260prints the data in both formats.
8261
8262@cindex SSE registers (x86)
8263@cindex MMX registers (x86)
8264Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8265in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8266have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8267together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8268registers in @code{struct} notation:
8269
8270@smallexample
8271(@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8272$1 = @{
8273 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8274 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8275 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8276 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8277 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8278 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8279 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8280@}
8281@end smallexample
8282
8283@noindent
8284To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8285view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8286value to a @code{struct} member:
8287
8288@smallexample
8289 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8290@end smallexample
8291
8292Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8293(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8294value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8295were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8296true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8297frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8298
8299However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8300code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8301@value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8302frame makes no difference.
8303
8304@node Floating Point Hardware
8305@section Floating Point Hardware
8306@cindex floating point
8307
8308Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8309you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8310
8311@table @code
8312@kindex info float
8313@item info float
8314Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8315point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8316floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8317the ARM and x86 machines.
8318@end table
8319
8320@node Vector Unit
8321@section Vector Unit
8322@cindex vector unit
8323
8324Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8325more information about the status of the vector unit.
8326
8327@table @code
8328@kindex info vector
8329@item info vector
8330Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8331layout vary depending on the hardware.
8332@end table
8333
8334@node OS Information
8335@section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8336@cindex OS information
8337
8338@value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8339you debug your program.
8340
8341@cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8342@cindex @code{struct user} contents
8343When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8344machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8345system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8346called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8347command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8348structure.
8349
8350@table @code
8351@item info udot
8352@kindex info udot
8353Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8354kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8355contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8356the @code{examine} command.
8357@end table
8358
8359@cindex auxiliary vector
8360@cindex vector, auxiliary
8361Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8362startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8363specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8364binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8365hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8366identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8367Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8368@value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8369targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8370support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8371@ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8372
8373@table @code
8374@kindex info auxv
8375@item info auxv
8376Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8377live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8378numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8379tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8380pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8381most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8382an unrecognized tag.
8383@end table
8384
8385On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8386and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8387this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8388@samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8389
8390@table @code
8391@kindex info os processes
8392@item info os processes
8393Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8394@value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8395the command corresponding to the process.
8396@end table
8397
8398@node Memory Region Attributes
8399@section Memory Region Attributes
8400@cindex memory region attributes
8401
8402@dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8403required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8404attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8405accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8406target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8407fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8408user can override the fetched regions.
8409
8410Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8411memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8412accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8413been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8414all memory.
8415
8416When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8417to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8418
8419@table @code
8420@kindex mem
8421@item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8422Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8423attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8424monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8425case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8426(0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8427
8428@item mem auto
8429Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8430regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8431
8432@kindex delete mem
8433@item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8434Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8435monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8436
8437@kindex disable mem
8438@item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8439Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8440A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8441It may be enabled again later.
8442
8443@kindex enable mem
8444@item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8445Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8446
8447@kindex info mem
8448@item info mem
8449Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8450for each region:
8451
8452@table @emph
8453@item Memory Region Number
8454@item Enabled or Disabled.
8455Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8456Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8457
8458@item Lo Address
8459The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8460
8461@item Hi Address
8462The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8463
8464@item Attributes
8465The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8466@end table
8467@end table
8468
8469
8470@subsection Attributes
8471
8472@subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8473The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8474write accesses to a memory region.
8475
8476While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8477memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8478etc.@: from accessing memory.
8479
8480@table @code
8481@item ro
8482Memory is read only.
8483@item wo
8484Memory is write only.
8485@item rw
8486Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8487@end table
8488
8489@subsubsection Memory Access Size
8490The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8491accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8492require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8493specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8494
8495@table @code
8496@item 8
8497Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8498@item 16
8499Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8500@item 32
8501Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8502@item 64
8503Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8504@end table
8505
8506@c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8507@c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8508@c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8509@c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8510@c
8511@c @table @code
8512@c @item hwbreak
8513@c Always use hardware breakpoints
8514@c @item swbreak (default)
8515@c @end table
8516
8517@subsubsection Data Cache
8518The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8519memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8520protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8521does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8522registers.
8523
8524@table @code
8525@item cache
8526Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8527@item nocache
8528Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8529@end table
8530
8531@subsection Memory Access Checking
8532@value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8533not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8534regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8535better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8536
8537@table @code
8538@kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8539@item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8540If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8541explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8542to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8543memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8544treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8545The default value is @code{on}.
8546@kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8547@item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8548Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8549@end table
8550
8551
8552@c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8553@c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8554@c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8555@c
8556@c @table @code
8557@c @item verify
8558@c @item noverify (default)
8559@c @end table
8560
8561@node Dump/Restore Files
8562@section Copy Between Memory and a File
8563@cindex dump/restore files
8564@cindex append data to a file
8565@cindex dump data to a file
8566@cindex restore data from a file
8567
8568You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8569@code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8570@code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8571@code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8572memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8573Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8574files.
8575
8576@table @code
8577
8578@kindex dump
8579@item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8580@itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8581Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8582or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8583
8584The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8585@table @code
8586@item binary
8587Raw binary form.
8588@item ihex
8589Intel hex format.
8590@item srec
8591Motorola S-record format.
8592@item tekhex
8593Tektronix Hex format.
8594@end table
8595
8596@value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8597@sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8598@var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8599form.
8600
8601@kindex append
8602@item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8603@itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8604Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8605or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8606(@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8607
8608@kindex restore
8609@item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8610Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8611@code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8612file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8613must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8614
8615If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8616contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8617they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8618a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8619from that location.
8620
8621If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8622file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8623These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8624the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8625
8626@end table
8627
8628@node Core File Generation
8629@section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8630@cindex dump core from inferior
8631
8632A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8633image of a running process and its process status (register values
8634etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8635crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8636automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8637the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8638the post-mortem debugging mode.
8639
8640Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8641are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8642@value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8643
8644@table @code
8645@kindex gcore
8646@kindex generate-core-file
8647@item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8648@itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8649Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8650@var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8651specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8652@var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8653
8654Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8655this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8656@end table
8657
8658@node Character Sets
8659@section Character Sets
8660@cindex character sets
8661@cindex charset
8662@cindex translating between character sets
8663@cindex host character set
8664@cindex target character set
8665
8666If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8667represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8668@value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8669you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8670character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8671@dfn{target character set}.
8672
8673For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8674uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8675remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8676running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8677then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8678@sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8679target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8680@sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8681character and string literals in expressions.
8682
8683@value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8684the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8685target-charset} command, described below.
8686
8687Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8688support:
8689
8690@table @code
8691@item set target-charset @var{charset}
8692@kindex set target-charset
8693Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8694list of supported target character sets, type
8695@kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8696
8697@item set host-charset @var{charset}
8698@kindex set host-charset
8699Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8700
8701By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8702system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8703@code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8704automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8705case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8706
8707@value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8708set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8709@value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8710
8711@item set charset @var{charset}
8712@kindex set charset
8713Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8714above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8715@value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8716for both host and target.
8717
8718@item show charset
8719@kindex show charset
8720Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8721
8722@item show host-charset
8723@kindex show host-charset
8724Show the name of the current host character set.
8725
8726@item show target-charset
8727@kindex show target-charset
8728Show the name of the current target character set.
8729
8730@item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8731@kindex set target-wide-charset
8732Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8733the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8734display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8735@kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8736
8737@item show target-wide-charset
8738@kindex show target-wide-charset
8739Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8740@end table
8741
8742Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8743Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8744@file{charset-test.c}:
8745
8746@smallexample
8747#include <stdio.h>
8748
8749char ascii_hello[]
8750 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8751 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8752char ibm1047_hello[]
8753 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8754 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8755
8756main ()
8757@{
8758 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8759@}
8760@end smallexample
8761
8762In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8763containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8764encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8765
8766We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8767
8768@smallexample
8769$ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8770$ gdb -nw charset-test
8771GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8772Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8773@dots{}
8774(@value{GDBP})
8775@end smallexample
8776
8777We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8778@value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8779strings:
8780
8781@smallexample
8782(@value{GDBP}) show charset
8783The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8784(@value{GDBP})
8785@end smallexample
8786
8787For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8788initial character set:
8789@smallexample
8790(@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8791(@value{GDBP}) show charset
8792The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8793(@value{GDBP})
8794@end smallexample
8795
8796Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8797host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8798characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8799them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8800@sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8801
8802@smallexample
8803(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8804$1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8805(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8806$2 = 72 'H'
8807(@value{GDBP})
8808@end smallexample
8809
8810@value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8811literals you use in expressions:
8812
8813@smallexample
8814(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8815$3 = 43 '+'
8816(@value{GDBP})
8817@end smallexample
8818
8819The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8820character.
8821
8822@value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8823target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8824character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8825
8826@smallexample
8827(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8828$4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8829(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8830$5 = 200 '\310'
8831(@value{GDBP})
8832@end smallexample
8833
8834If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8835@value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8836
8837@smallexample
8838(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8839ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8840(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8841@end smallexample
8842
8843We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8844program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8845@value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8846target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8847@sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8848
8849@smallexample
8850(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8851(@value{GDBP}) show charset
8852The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8853The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8854(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8855$6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8856(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8857$7 = 72 '\110'
8858(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8859$8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8860(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8861$9 = 200 'H'
8862(@value{GDBP})
8863@end smallexample
8864
8865As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8866string literals you use in expressions:
8867
8868@smallexample
8869(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8870$10 = 78 '+'
8871(@value{GDBP})
8872@end smallexample
8873
8874The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8875character.
8876
8877@node Caching Remote Data
8878@section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8879@cindex caching data of remote targets
8880
8881@value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
8882remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8883performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8884bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
8885caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
8886does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
8887addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
8888memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
8889Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
8890known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
8891rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
8892in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
8893stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
8894Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
8895cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
8896
8897@table @code
8898@kindex set remotecache
8899@item set remotecache on
8900@itemx set remotecache off
8901This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
8902with old scripts.
8903
8904@kindex show remotecache
8905@item show remotecache
8906Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
8907
8908@kindex set stack-cache
8909@item set stack-cache on
8910@itemx set stack-cache off
8911Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
8912caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
8913
8914@kindex show stack-cache
8915@item show stack-cache
8916Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
8917
8918@kindex info dcache
8919@item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
8920Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8921information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
8922each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
8923referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
8924operation.
8925
8926If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
8927printed in hex.
8928@end table
8929
8930@node Searching Memory
8931@section Search Memory
8932@cindex searching memory
8933
8934Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8935@code{find} command.
8936
8937@table @code
8938@kindex find
8939@item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8940@itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8941Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8942etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8943@var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8944@end table
8945
8946@var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8947They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8948
8949@table @r
8950@item @var{s}, search query size
8951The size of each search query value.
8952
8953@table @code
8954@item b
8955bytes
8956@item h
8957halfwords (two bytes)
8958@item w
8959words (four bytes)
8960@item g
8961giant words (eight bytes)
8962@end table
8963
8964All values are interpreted in the current language.
8965This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8966then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8967
8968If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8969value's type in the current language.
8970This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8971pattern as a mixture of types.
8972Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8973a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8974which is typically four bytes.
8975
8976@item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8977The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8978@end table
8979
8980You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8981 (@code{"}).
8982The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8983regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8984
8985The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8986number of matches found.
8987
8988The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8989@samp{$_}.
8990A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8991
8992For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8993
8994@smallexample
8995void
8996hello ()
8997@{
8998 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8999 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9000 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9001 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9002 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9003@}
9004@end smallexample
9005
9006@noindent
9007you get during debugging:
9008
9009@smallexample
9010(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
90110x804956d <hello.1620+6>
90121 pattern found
9013(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
90140x8049567 <hello.1620>
90150x804956d <hello.1620+6>
90162 patterns found
9017(gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
90180x8049567 <hello.1620>
90191 pattern found
9020(gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
90210x8049560 <mixed.1625>
90221 pattern found
9023(gdb) print $numfound
9024$1 = 1
9025(gdb) print $_
9026$2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9027@end smallexample
9028
9029@node Optimized Code
9030@chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9031@cindex optimized code, debugging
9032@cindex debugging optimized code
9033
9034Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9035disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9036directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9037applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9038diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9039information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9040the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9041
9042@value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9043can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9044progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9045where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9046
9047When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9048optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9049really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9050exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9051variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9052variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9053
9054Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9055@samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9056doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9057please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9058@xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9059
9060@menu
9061* Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9062@end menu
9063
9064@node Inline Functions
9065@section Inline Functions
9066@cindex inline functions, debugging
9067
9068@dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9069body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9070routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9071non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9072arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9073them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9074You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9075@code{info frame} command.
9076
9077For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9078record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9079@value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9080other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9081when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9082do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9083@samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9084function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9085displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9086local variables in the caller.
9087
9088The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9089unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9090the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9091start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9092the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9093the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9094instructions are executed.
9095
9096This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9097context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9098a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9099this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9100
9101There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9102function calls are the same as normal calls:
9103
9104@itemize @bullet
9105@item
9106You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9107either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9108breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9109will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9110set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9111function instead.
9112
9113@item
9114Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9115work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9116may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9117function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9118version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9119or inside the inlined function instead.
9120
9121@item
9122@value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9123using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9124debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9125and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9126
9127@end itemize
9128
9129
9130@node Macros
9131@chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9132
9133Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9134``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9135@value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9136the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9137where it was defined.
9138
9139You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9140with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9141include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9142with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9143
9144A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9145and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9146points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9147no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9148uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9149@value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9150see @ref{List}.
9151
9152Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9153macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9154the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9155
9156@table @code
9157
9158@kindex macro expand
9159@cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9160@cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9161@cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9162@item macro expand @var{expression}
9163@itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9164Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9165@var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9166not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9167it can be any string of tokens.
9168
9169@kindex macro exp1
9170@item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9171@itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9172@cindex expand macro once
9173@i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9174expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9175@var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9176left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9177particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9178expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9179parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9180can be any string of tokens.
9181
9182@kindex info macro
9183@cindex macro definition, showing
9184@cindex definition, showing a macro's
9185@item info macro @var{macro}
9186Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9187source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9188
9189@kindex macro define
9190@cindex user-defined macros
9191@cindex defining macros interactively
9192@cindex macros, user-defined
9193@item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9194@itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9195Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9196invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9197@var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9198``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9199defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9200@var{arglist}.
9201
9202A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9203expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9204@code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9205all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9206as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9207
9208@kindex macro undef
9209@item macro undef @var{macro}
9210Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9211This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9212define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9213in the program being debugged.
9214
9215@kindex macro list
9216@item macro list
9217List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9218@end table
9219
9220@cindex macros, example of debugging with
9221Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9222show our source files:
9223
9224@smallexample
9225$ cat sample.c
9226#include <stdio.h>
9227#include "sample.h"
9228
9229#define M 42
9230#define ADD(x) (M + x)
9231
9232main ()
9233@{
9234#define N 28
9235 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9236#undef N
9237 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9238#define N 1729
9239 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9240@}
9241$ cat sample.h
9242#define Q <
9243$
9244@end smallexample
9245
9246Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9247We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9248compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9249information.
9250
9251@smallexample
9252$ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9253$
9254@end smallexample
9255
9256Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9257
9258@smallexample
9259$ gdb -nw sample
9260GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9261Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9262GDB is free software, @dots{}
9263(@value{GDBP})
9264@end smallexample
9265
9266We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9267program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9268to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9269
9270@smallexample
9271(@value{GDBP}) list main
92723
92734 #define M 42
92745 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
92756
92767 main ()
92778 @{
92789 #define N 28
927910 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
928011 #undef N
928112 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9282(@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9283Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9284#define ADD(x) (M + x)
9285(@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9286Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9287 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9288#define Q <
9289(@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9290expands to: (42 + 1)
9291(@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9292expands to: once (M + 1)
9293(@value{GDBP})
9294@end smallexample
9295
9296In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9297the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9298@code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9299which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9300
9301Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9302force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9303
9304@smallexample
9305(@value{GDBP}) break main
9306Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9307(@value{GDBP}) run
9308Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9309
9310Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
931110 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9312(@value{GDBP})
9313@end smallexample
9314
9315At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9316
9317@smallexample
9318(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9319Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9320#define N 28
9321(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9322expands to: 28 < 42
9323(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9324$1 = 1
9325(@value{GDBP})
9326@end smallexample
9327
9328As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9329give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9330thereof) in force at each point:
9331
9332@smallexample
9333(@value{GDBP}) next
9334Hello, world!
933512 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9336(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9337The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9338at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9339(@value{GDBP}) next
9340We're so creative.
934114 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9342(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9343Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9344#define N 1729
9345(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9346expands to: 1729 < 42
9347(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9348$2 = 0
9349(@value{GDBP})
9350@end smallexample
9351
9352In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9353line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9354such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9355of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9356
9357@smallexample
9358(@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9359Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9360-D__STDC__=1
9361(@value{GDBP})
9362@end smallexample
9363
9364
9365@node Tracepoints
9366@chapter Tracepoints
9367@c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9368@c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9369
9370@cindex tracepoints
9371In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9372the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9373anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9374depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9375might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9376fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9377to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9378
9379Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9380specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9381arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9382Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9383those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9384expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9385for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9386a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9387in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9388values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9389unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9390
9391The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9392targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9393how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9394remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9395support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9396packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9397Packets}.
9398
9399It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9400of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9401through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9402
9403This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9404
9405@menu
9406* Set Tracepoints::
9407* Analyze Collected Data::
9408* Tracepoint Variables::
9409* Trace Files::
9410@end menu
9411
9412@node Set Tracepoints
9413@section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9414
9415Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9416tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9417breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9418standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9419tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9420of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9421as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9422
9423For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9424of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9425it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9426local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9427commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9428tracepoint was hit.
9429
9430Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9431tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9432commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9433either.
9434
9435@cindex fast tracepoints
9436Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9437a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9438faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9439
9440This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9441conditions and actions.
9442
9443@menu
9444* Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9445* Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9446* Tracepoint Passcounts::
9447* Tracepoint Conditions::
9448* Trace State Variables::
9449* Tracepoint Actions::
9450* Listing Tracepoints::
9451* Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9452* Tracepoint Restrictions::
9453@end menu
9454
9455@node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9456@subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9457
9458@table @code
9459@cindex set tracepoint
9460@kindex trace
9461@item trace @var{location}
9462The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9463Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9464an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9465@code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9466target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9467data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9468changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9469command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9470not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9471
9472Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9473
9474@smallexample
9475(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9476
9477(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9478
9479(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9480
9481(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9482
9483(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9484@end smallexample
9485
9486@noindent
9487You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9488
9489@item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9490Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9491@var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9492if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9493@xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9494information on tracepoint conditions.
9495
9496@item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9497@cindex set fast tracepoint
9498@kindex ftrace
9499The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9500support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9501less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9502instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9503may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9504location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9505message.
9506
9507@value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9508@code{trace}.
9509
9510@vindex $tpnum
9511@cindex last tracepoint number
9512@cindex recent tracepoint number
9513@cindex tracepoint number
9514The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9515of the most recently set tracepoint.
9516
9517@kindex delete tracepoint
9518@cindex tracepoint deletion
9519@item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9520Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9521default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9522@code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9523
9524Examples:
9525
9526@smallexample
9527(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9528
9529(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9530@end smallexample
9531
9532@noindent
9533You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9534@end table
9535
9536@node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9537@subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9538
9539These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9540
9541@table @code
9542@kindex disable tracepoint
9543@item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9544Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9545@var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9546the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9547a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9548
9549@kindex enable tracepoint
9550@item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9551Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9552tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9553run.
9554@end table
9555
9556@node Tracepoint Passcounts
9557@subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9558
9559@table @code
9560@kindex passcount
9561@cindex tracepoint pass count
9562@item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9563Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9564automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9565@var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9566the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9567@var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9568passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9569given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9570user.
9571
9572Examples:
9573
9574@smallexample
9575(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9576@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9577
9578(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9579@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9580(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9581(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9582(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9583(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9584(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9585(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9586@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9587@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9588@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9589@end smallexample
9590@end table
9591
9592@node Tracepoint Conditions
9593@subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9594@cindex conditional tracepoints
9595@cindex tracepoint conditions
9596
9597The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9598reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9599a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9600programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9601tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9602program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9603is true.
9604
9605Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9606using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9607@xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9608also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9609just as with breakpoints.
9610
9611Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9612the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9613expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9614suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9615Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9616accesses, and so forth.
9617
9618For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9619frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9620could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9621of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9622through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9623collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9624search through.
9625
9626@smallexample
9627(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9628@end smallexample
9629
9630@node Trace State Variables
9631@subsection Trace State Variables
9632@cindex trace state variables
9633
9634A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9635created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9636that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9637but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9638using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9639integers.
9640
9641Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9642to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9643experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9644trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9645
9646@cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9647Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9648them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9649variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9650while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9651the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9652cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9653@code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9654variable with the same name.
9655
9656@table @code
9657
9658@item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9659@kindex tvariable
9660The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9661@code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9662@var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9663entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9664otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9665@code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9666variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9667existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9668value. The default initial value is 0.
9669
9670@item info tvariables
9671@kindex info tvariables
9672List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9673Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9674currently running.
9675
9676@item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9677@kindex delete tvariable
9678Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9679are specified.
9680
9681@end table
9682
9683@node Tracepoint Actions
9684@subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9685
9686@table @code
9687@kindex actions
9688@cindex tracepoint actions
9689@item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9690This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9691tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9692specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9693recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9694@code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9695actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9696terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9697far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
9698@code{while-stepping}.
9699
9700@code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
9701Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
9702actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
9703
9704@cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9705To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9706and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9707
9708@smallexample
9709(@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9710
9711(@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9712
9713(@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9714@end smallexample
9715
9716In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9717commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9718hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9719following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9720followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
9721sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9722terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
9723list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
9724
9725@smallexample
9726(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9727(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9728Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9729> collect bar,baz
9730> collect $regs
9731> while-stepping 12
9732 > collect $pc, arr[i]
9733 > end
9734end
9735@end smallexample
9736
9737@kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9738@item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9739Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9740This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9741In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9742special arguments are supported:
9743
9744@table @code
9745@item $regs
9746collect all registers
9747
9748@item $args
9749collect all function arguments
9750
9751@item $locals
9752collect all local variables.
9753@end table
9754
9755You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9756with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9757arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
9758
9759The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9760particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9761
9762@kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
9763@item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9764Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
9765command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
9766are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
9767state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
9768values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
9769action were used.
9770
9771@kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9772@item while-stepping @var{n}
9773Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
9774collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
9775command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
9776(followed by its own @code{end} command):
9777
9778@smallexample
9779> while-stepping 12
9780 > collect $regs, myglobal
9781 > end
9782>
9783@end smallexample
9784
9785@noindent
9786Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
9787@code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
9788you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9789@code{stepping}.
9790
9791@item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9792@kindex set default-collect
9793@cindex default collection action
9794This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
9795hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
9796to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
9797individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
9798@code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
9799local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
9800
9801@item show default-collect
9802@kindex show default-collect
9803Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
9804tracepoint hit.
9805
9806@end table
9807
9808@node Listing Tracepoints
9809@subsection Listing Tracepoints
9810
9811@table @code
9812@kindex info tracepoints
9813@kindex info tp
9814@cindex information about tracepoints
9815@item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9816Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9817specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9818tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9819@code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9820command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9821
9822A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9823tracing:
9824
9825@itemize @bullet
9826@item
9827its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9828@end itemize
9829
9830@smallexample
9831(@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9832Num Type Disp Enb Address What
98331 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9834 while-stepping 20
9835 collect globfoo, $regs
9836 end
9837 collect globfoo2
9838 end
9839 pass count 1200
9840(@value{GDBP})
9841@end smallexample
9842
9843@noindent
9844This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9845@end table
9846
9847@node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9848@subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9849
9850@table @code
9851@kindex tstart
9852@cindex start a new trace experiment
9853@cindex collected data discarded
9854@item tstart
9855This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9856begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9857the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9858experiment.
9859
9860@kindex tstop
9861@cindex stop a running trace experiment
9862@item tstop
9863This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9864stops collecting data.
9865
9866@strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9867automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9868(@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9869
9870@kindex tstatus
9871@cindex status of trace data collection
9872@cindex trace experiment, status of
9873@item tstatus
9874This command displays the status of the current trace data
9875collection.
9876@end table
9877
9878Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9879
9880@smallexample
9881(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9882(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9883Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9884> collect $regs,$locals,$args
9885> while-stepping 11
9886 > collect $regs
9887 > end
9888> end
9889(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9890 [time passes @dots{}]
9891(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9892@end smallexample
9893
9894@cindex disconnected tracing
9895You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
9896@value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
9897involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
9898ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
9899terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
9900unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
9901@code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
9902continue running without @value{GDBN}.
9903
9904@table @code
9905@item set disconnected-tracing on
9906@itemx set disconnected-tracing off
9907@kindex set disconnected-tracing
9908Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
9909has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
9910@code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
9911matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
9912for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
9913
9914@item show disconnected-tracing
9915@kindex show disconnected-tracing
9916Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
9917
9918@end table
9919
9920When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
9921still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
9922meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
9923it will continue after reconnection.
9924
9925Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
9926tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
9927information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
9928to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
9929have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
9930the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
9931debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
9932which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
9933necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
9934created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
9935
9936@cindex circular trace buffer
9937If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
9938can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
9939buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
9940frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
9941collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
9942hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
9943buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
9944@samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
9945including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
9946buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
9947the next run.
9948
9949@table @code
9950@item set circular-trace-buffer on
9951@itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
9952@kindex set circular-trace-buffer
9953Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
9954for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
9955fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
9956data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
9957
9958@item show circular-trace-buffer
9959@kindex show circular-trace-buffer
9960Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
9961match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
9962match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
9963for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
9964
9965@end table
9966
9967@node Tracepoint Restrictions
9968@subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
9969
9970@cindex tracepoint restrictions
9971There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
9972described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
9973without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
9974the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
9975examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
9976collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
9977is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
9978mentioned here.
9979
9980@itemize @bullet
9981
9982@item
9983Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
9984the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
9985You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
9986convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
9987state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
9988functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
9989cannot be collected either.
9990
9991@item
9992Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
9993@code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
9994behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
9995instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
9996may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
9997tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
9998variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
9999tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10000where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10001program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10002
10003@item
10004Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10005may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10006in a misleading way.
10007
10008@item
10009When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10010dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10011being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10012not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10013dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10014collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10015@code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10016by @code{ptr}.
10017
10018@item
10019It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10020tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10021bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10022(adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10023target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10024Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10025using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10026depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10027if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10028stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10029invalid address.
10030
10031@item
10032If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10033infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10034the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10035for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10036multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10037inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10038@value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10039it to zero.
10040
10041@end itemize
10042
10043@node Analyze Collected Data
10044@section Using the Collected Data
10045
10046After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10047for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10048collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10049snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10050consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10051examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10052specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10053snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10054registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10055rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10056debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10057(@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10058behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10059when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10060the buffer will fail.
10061
10062@menu
10063* tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10064* tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10065* save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10066@end menu
10067
10068@node tfind
10069@subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10070
10071@kindex tfind
10072@cindex select trace snapshot
10073@cindex find trace snapshot
10074The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10075@code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10076counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10077snapshot is selected.
10078
10079Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10080
10081@table @code
10082@item tfind start
10083Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10084@code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10085
10086@item tfind none
10087Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10088
10089@item tfind end
10090Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10091
10092@item tfind
10093No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10094
10095@item tfind -
10096Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10097retracing earlier steps.
10098
10099@item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10100Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10101proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10102argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10103for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10104
10105@item tfind pc @var{addr}
10106Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10107program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10108snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10109snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10110
10111@item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10112Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10113addresses (exclusive).
10114
10115@item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10116Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10117@var{addr2} (inclusive).
10118
10119@item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10120Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10121the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10122that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10123trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10124next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10125@code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10126stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10127@end table
10128
10129The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10130designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10131instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10132snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10133trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10134simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10135snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10136@key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10137The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10138for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10139no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10140(PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10141no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10142tracepoint as the current one.
10143
10144In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10145these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10146scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10147you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10148registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10149
10150@smallexample
10151(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10152(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10153> printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10154 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10155> tfind
10156> end
10157
10158Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10159Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10160Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10161Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10162Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10163Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10164Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10165Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10166Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10167Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10168Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10169@end smallexample
10170
10171Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10172the buffer:
10173
10174@smallexample
10175(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10176(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10177> printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10178> tfind line
10179> end
10180
10181Frame 0, X = 1
10182Frame 7, X = 2
10183Frame 13, X = 255
10184@end smallexample
10185
10186@node tdump
10187@subsection @code{tdump}
10188@kindex tdump
10189@cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10190@cindex tracepoint data, display
10191
10192This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10193the current trace snapshot.
10194
10195@smallexample
10196(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10197(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10198Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10199> collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10200> end
10201
10202(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10203
10204(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10205#0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10206at gdb_test.c:444
10207444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10208
10209(@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10210Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10211d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10212d1 0x18 24
10213d2 0x80 128
10214d3 0x33 51
10215d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10216d5 0x22 34
10217d6 0xe0 224
10218d7 0x380035 3670069
10219a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10220a1 0x3000668 50333288
10221a2 0x100 256
10222a3 0x322000 3284992
10223a4 0x3000698 50333336
10224a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10225fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10226sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10227ps 0x0 0
10228pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10229fpcontrol 0x0 0
10230fpstatus 0x0 0
10231fpiaddr 0x0 0
10232p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10233p1 = (void *) 0x11
10234p2 = (void *) 0x22
10235p3 = (void *) 0x33
10236p4 = (void *) 0x44
10237p5 = (void *) 0x55
10238p6 = (void *) 0x66
10239gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10240
10241(@value{GDBP})
10242@end smallexample
10243
10244@code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10245actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10246@code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10247actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10248
10249Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10250uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10251frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10252collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10253to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10254body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10255then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10256list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10257same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10258@c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10259
10260@node save tracepoints
10261@subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10262@kindex save tracepoints
10263@kindex save-tracepoints
10264@cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10265
10266This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10267their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10268suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10269tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10270Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10271alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10272
10273@node Tracepoint Variables
10274@section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10275@cindex tracepoint variables
10276@cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10277
10278@table @code
10279@vindex $trace_frame
10280@item (int) $trace_frame
10281The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10282snapshot is selected.
10283
10284@vindex $tracepoint
10285@item (int) $tracepoint
10286The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10287
10288@vindex $trace_line
10289@item (int) $trace_line
10290The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10291
10292@vindex $trace_file
10293@item (char []) $trace_file
10294The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10295
10296@vindex $trace_func
10297@item (char []) $trace_func
10298The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10299@end table
10300
10301Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10302use @code{output} instead.
10303
10304Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10305stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10306data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10307which are managed by the target.
10308
10309@smallexample
10310(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10311
10312(@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10313> output $trace_file
10314> printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10315> tfind
10316> end
10317@end smallexample
10318
10319@node Trace Files
10320@section Using Trace Files
10321@cindex trace files
10322
10323In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10324longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10325for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10326dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10327of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10328
10329@table @code
10330
10331@kindex tsave
10332@item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10333Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10334assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10335necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10336then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10337optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10338the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10339more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10340@code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10341
10342@kindex target tfile
10343@kindex tfile
10344@item target tfile @var{filename}
10345Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10346that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10347possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10348the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10349as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10350on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10351
10352@end table
10353
10354@node Overlays
10355@chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10356@cindex overlays
10357
10358If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10359memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10360problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10361use overlays.
10362
10363@menu
10364* How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10365* Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10366* Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10367 mapped by asking the inferior.
10368* Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10369@end menu
10370
10371@node How Overlays Work
10372@section How Overlays Work
10373@cindex mapped overlays
10374@cindex unmapped overlays
10375@cindex load address, overlay's
10376@cindex mapped address
10377@cindex overlay area
10378
10379Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10380kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10381other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10382management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10383adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10384
10385One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10386independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10387@dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10388their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10389instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10390largest overlay as well.
10391
10392Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10393overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10394for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10395there.
10396
10397@c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10398@c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10399@c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10400
10401@smallexample
10402@group
10403 Data Instruction Larger
10404Address Space Address Space Address Space
10405+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10406| | | | | |
10407+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10408| program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10409| variables | | program | | +-----------+
10410| and heap | | | | | |
10411+-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10412| | +-----------+ | | | load address
10413+-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10414 | | | | | |
10415 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10416 address | | | | | |
10417 | overlay | <-' | | |
10418 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10419 | | <---. | | load address
10420 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10421 | | | |
10422 +-----------+ | |
10423 +-----------+
10424 | |
10425 +-----------+
10426
10427 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10428@end group
10429@end smallexample
10430
10431The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10432and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10433its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10434Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10435may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10436data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10437program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10438program and the overlay area.
10439
10440An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10441@dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10442instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10443in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10444is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10445the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10446called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10447
10448Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10449program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10450global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10451
10452@itemize @bullet
10453
10454@item
10455Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10456must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10457return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10458overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10459
10460@item
10461If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10462will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10463your program's performance.
10464
10465@item
10466The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10467overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10468mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10469and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10470You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10471addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10472ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10473
10474@item
10475The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10476to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10477instruction and data spaces.
10478
10479@end itemize
10480
10481The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10482improved in many ways:
10483
10484@itemize @bullet
10485
10486@item
10487If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10488hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10489contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10490This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10491area in the usual way.
10492
10493@item
10494If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10495overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10496
10497@item
10498You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10499general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10500code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10501return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10502the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10503must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10504different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10505
10506@end itemize
10507
10508
10509@node Overlay Commands
10510@section Overlay Commands
10511
10512To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10513correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10514virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10515mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10516@value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10517variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10518
10519@value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10520you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10521
10522@table @code
10523@item overlay off
10524@kindex overlay
10525Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10526disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10527always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10528overlay support is disabled.
10529
10530@item overlay manual
10531@cindex manual overlay debugging
10532Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10533relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10534using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10535commands described below.
10536
10537@item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10538@itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10539@cindex map an overlay
10540Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10541be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10542overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10543functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10544that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10545@var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10546
10547@item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10548@itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10549@cindex unmap an overlay
10550Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10551must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10552When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10553overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10554
10555@item overlay auto
10556Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10557consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10558to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10559Overlay Debugging}.
10560
10561@item overlay load-target
10562@itemx overlay load
10563@cindex reloading the overlay table
10564Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10565re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10566stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10567overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10568useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10569
10570@item overlay list-overlays
10571@itemx overlay list
10572@cindex listing mapped overlays
10573Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10574addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10575
10576@end table
10577
10578Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10579of the function the address falls in:
10580
10581@smallexample
10582(@value{GDBP}) print main
10583$3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10584@end smallexample
10585@noindent
10586When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10587unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10588asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10589unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10590
10591@smallexample
10592(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10593No sections are mapped.
10594(@value{GDBP}) print foo
10595$5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10596@end smallexample
10597@noindent
10598When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10599name normally:
10600
10601@smallexample
10602(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10603Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10604 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10605(@value{GDBP}) print foo
10606$6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10607@end smallexample
10608
10609When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10610address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10611overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10612@code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10613code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10614
10615@itemize @bullet
10616@item
10617@cindex breakpoints in overlays
10618@cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10619You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10620@value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10621@item
10622@value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10623unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10624overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10625you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10626breakpoints properly.
10627@end itemize
10628
10629
10630@node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10631@section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10632@cindex automatic overlay debugging
10633
10634@value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10635are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10636inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10637@code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10638looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10639current state of the overlays.
10640
10641Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10642@value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10643
10644@table @asis
10645
10646@item @code{_ovly_table}:
10647This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10648
10649@smallexample
10650struct
10651@{
10652 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10653 unsigned long vma;
10654
10655 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10656 unsigned long size;
10657
10658 /* The overlay's load address. */
10659 unsigned long lma;
10660
10661 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10662 zero otherwise. */
10663 unsigned long mapped;
10664@}
10665@end smallexample
10666
10667@item @code{_novlys}:
10668This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10669number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10670
10671@end table
10672
10673To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
10674looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
10675@code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
10676executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
10677the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
10678currently mapped.
10679
10680In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
10681@code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
10682will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
10683calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
10684will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
10685are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
10686in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
10687overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
10688are not being executed.
10689
10690@node Overlay Sample Program
10691@section Overlay Sample Program
10692@cindex overlay example program
10693
10694When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
10695at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
10696addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
10697Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
10698since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
10699architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
10700portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
10701
10702However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
10703program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
10704suite. The program consists of the following files from
10705@file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
10706
10707@table @file
10708@item overlays.c
10709The main program file.
10710@item ovlymgr.c
10711A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
10712@item foo.c
10713@itemx bar.c
10714@itemx baz.c
10715@itemx grbx.c
10716Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
10717@item d10v.ld
10718@itemx m32r.ld
10719Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
10720and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
10721@end table
10722
10723You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
10724cross-compiler like this:
10725
10726@smallexample
10727$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
10728$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
10729$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
10730$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
10731$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
10732$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
10733$ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
10734 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
10735@end smallexample
10736
10737The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
10738you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
10739target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
10740
10741
10742@node Languages
10743@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
10744@cindex languages
10745
10746Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
10747rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
10748dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
10749Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
10750represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
10751@samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
10752
10753@cindex working language
10754Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
10755allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
10756native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
10757consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
10758language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
10759language}.
10760
10761@menu
10762* Setting:: Switching between source languages
10763* Show:: Displaying the language
10764* Checks:: Type and range checks
10765* Supported Languages:: Supported languages
10766* Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
10767@end menu
10768
10769@node Setting
10770@section Switching Between Source Languages
10771
10772There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10773set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10774@code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10775defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10776used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10777are printed, etc.
10778
10779In addition to the working language, every source file that
10780@value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10781file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10782source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10783language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10784controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10785show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10786set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10787set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10788Displaying the Language}.
10789
10790This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10791as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10792another language. In that case, make the
10793program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10794@value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10795program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10796
10797@menu
10798* Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10799* Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10800* Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10801@end menu
10802
10803@node Filenames
10804@subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10805
10806If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10807@value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10808
10809@table @file
10810@item .ada
10811@itemx .ads
10812@itemx .adb
10813@itemx .a
10814Ada source file.
10815
10816@item .c
10817C source file
10818
10819@item .C
10820@itemx .cc
10821@itemx .cp
10822@itemx .cpp
10823@itemx .cxx
10824@itemx .c++
10825C@t{++} source file
10826
10827@item .m
10828Objective-C source file
10829
10830@item .f
10831@itemx .F
10832Fortran source file
10833
10834@item .mod
10835Modula-2 source file
10836
10837@item .s
10838@itemx .S
10839Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10840@value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10841@end table
10842
10843In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10844extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10845
10846@node Manually
10847@subsection Setting the Working Language
10848
10849If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10850expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10851your program.
10852
10853@kindex set language
10854If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10855command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10856a language, such as
10857@code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
10858For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
10859
10860Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
10861language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
10862to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
10863source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
10864languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
10865source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
10866command such as:
10867
10868@smallexample
10869print a = b + c
10870@end smallexample
10871
10872@noindent
10873might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
10874@code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
10875printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
10876@code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
10877
10878@node Automatically
10879@subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
10880
10881To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
10882@samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
10883then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
10884frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
10885working language to the language recorded for the function in that
10886frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
10887or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
10888does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
10889not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
10890
10891This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
10892entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
10893written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
10894a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
10895case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
10896
10897@node Show
10898@section Displaying the Language
10899
10900The following commands help you find out which language is the
10901working language, and also what language source files were written in.
10902
10903@table @code
10904@item show language
10905@kindex show language
10906Display the current working language. This is the
10907language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
10908build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
10909
10910@item info frame
10911@kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
10912Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
10913working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
10914@xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
10915information listed here.
10916
10917@item info source
10918@kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
10919Display the source language of this source file.
10920@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
10921information listed here.
10922@end table
10923
10924In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
10925not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
10926with a language explicitly:
10927
10928@table @code
10929@item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
10930@kindex set extension-language
10931Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
10932assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
10933
10934@item info extensions
10935@kindex info extensions
10936List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
10937@end table
10938
10939@node Checks
10940@section Type and Range Checking
10941
10942@quotation
10943@emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
10944checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
10945section documents the intended facilities.
10946@end quotation
10947@c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
10948
10949Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
10950errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
10951checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
10952sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
10953these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
10954by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
10955errors when your program is running.
10956
10957@value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
10958Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
10959it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
10960evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
10961working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
10962automatically based on your program's source language.
10963@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
10964settings of supported languages.
10965
10966@menu
10967* Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
10968* Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
10969@end menu
10970
10971@cindex type checking
10972@cindex checks, type
10973@node Type Checking
10974@subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10975
10976Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10977arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10978otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10979errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10980
10981@smallexample
109821 + 2 @result{} 3
10983@exdent but
10984@error{} 1 + 2.3
10985@end smallexample
10986
10987The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10988type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10989
10990For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10991@value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10992to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10993or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10994but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10995these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10996also issues a warning.
10997
10998Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10999related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11000For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11001a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11002with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11003the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11004
11005Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11006instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11007operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11008represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11009operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11010details on specific languages.
11011
11012@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11013
11014@kindex set check type
11015@kindex show check type
11016@table @code
11017@item set check type auto
11018Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11019@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11020each language.
11021
11022@item set check type on
11023@itemx set check type off
11024Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11025current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11026match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11027evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11028message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11029
11030@item set check type warn
11031Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11032evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11033be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11034numbers and structures.
11035
11036@item show type
11037Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11038is setting it automatically.
11039@end table
11040
11041@cindex range checking
11042@cindex checks, range
11043@node Range Checking
11044@subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11045
11046In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11047bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11048checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11049computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11050not exceed the bounds of the array.
11051
11052For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11053@value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11054always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11055warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11056
11057A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11058array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11059of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11060error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11061result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11062the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11063
11064@smallexample
11065@var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11066@end smallexample
11067
11068This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11069specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11070Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11071
11072@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11073
11074@kindex set check range
11075@kindex show check range
11076@table @code
11077@item set check range auto
11078Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11079@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11080each language.
11081
11082@item set check range on
11083@itemx set check range off
11084Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11085current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11086match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11087then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11088
11089@item set check range warn
11090Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11091but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11092expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11093memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11094systems).
11095
11096@item show range
11097Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11098being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11099@end table
11100
11101@node Supported Languages
11102@section Supported Languages
11103
11104@value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
11105assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11106@c This is false ...
11107Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11108language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11109and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11110,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11111language.
11112
11113The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11114supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11115tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11116@value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11117formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11118books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11119language reference or tutorial.
11120
11121@menu
11122* C:: C and C@t{++}
11123* Objective-C:: Objective-C
11124* Fortran:: Fortran
11125* Pascal:: Pascal
11126* Modula-2:: Modula-2
11127* Ada:: Ada
11128@end menu
11129
11130@node C
11131@subsection C and C@t{++}
11132
11133@cindex C and C@t{++}
11134@cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11135
11136Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11137to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11138together.
11139
11140@cindex C@t{++}
11141@cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11142@cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11143The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11144compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11145effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11146C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11147compiler (@code{aCC}).
11148
11149For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11150format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11151format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11152command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11153@xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11154gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11155
11156@menu
11157* C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11158* C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11159* C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11160* C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11161* C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11162* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11163* Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11164* Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11165@end menu
11166
11167@node C Operators
11168@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11169
11170@cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11171
11172Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11173@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11174often defined on groups of types.
11175
11176For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11177
11178@itemize @bullet
11179
11180@item
11181@emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11182specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11183
11184@item
11185@emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11186@code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11187
11188@item
11189@emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11190
11191@item
11192@emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11193
11194@end itemize
11195
11196@noindent
11197The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11198in order of increasing precedence:
11199
11200@table @code
11201@item ,
11202The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11203are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11204expression being the last expression evaluated.
11205
11206@item =
11207Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11208assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11209
11210@item @var{op}=
11211Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11212and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11213@w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11214@var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11215@code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11216
11217@item ?:
11218The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11219of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11220integral type.
11221
11222@item ||
11223Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11224
11225@item &&
11226Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11227
11228@item |
11229Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11230
11231@item ^
11232Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11233
11234@item &
11235Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11236
11237@item ==@r{, }!=
11238Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11239expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11240
11241@item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11242Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11243Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11244and non-zero for true.
11245
11246@item <<@r{, }>>
11247left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11248
11249@item @@
11250The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11251
11252@item +@r{, }-
11253Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11254pointer types.
11255
11256@item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11257Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11258defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11259integral types.
11260
11261@item ++@r{, }--
11262Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11263operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11264when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11265operation takes place.
11266
11267@item *
11268Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11269@code{++}.
11270
11271@item &
11272Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11273
11274For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11275allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11276to examine the address
11277where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11278stored.
11279
11280@item -
11281Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11282precedence as @code{++}.
11283
11284@item !
11285Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11286@code{++}.
11287
11288@item ~
11289Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11290@code{++}.
11291
11292
11293@item .@r{, }->
11294Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11295@value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11296pointer based on the stored type information.
11297Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11298
11299@item .*@r{, }->*
11300Dereferences of pointers to members.
11301
11302@item []
11303Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11304@code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11305
11306@item ()
11307Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11308
11309@item ::
11310C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11311and @code{class} types.
11312
11313@item ::
11314Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11315(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11316above.
11317@end table
11318
11319If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11320attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11321predefined meaning.
11322
11323@node C Constants
11324@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11325
11326@cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11327
11328@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11329following ways:
11330
11331@itemize @bullet
11332@item
11333Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11334specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11335by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11336@samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11337@code{long} value.
11338
11339@item
11340Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11341point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11342exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11343@samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11344sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11345A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11346@samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11347the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11348a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11349constant.
11350
11351@item
11352Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11353integral equivalents.
11354
11355@item
11356Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11357(@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11358(usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11359be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11360the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11361of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11362@samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11363@samp{\n} for newline.
11364
11365@item
11366String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11367double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11368above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11369a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11370characters.
11371
11372@item
11373Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11374to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11375
11376@item
11377Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11378and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11379integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11380and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11381@end itemize
11382
11383@node C Plus Plus Expressions
11384@subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11385
11386@cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11387@value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11388
11389@cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11390@cindex C@t{++} compilers
11391@cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11392@cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11393@quotation
11394@emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11395proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11396works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11397@value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11398@option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11399stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11400stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11401specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11402are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11403C@t{++} code.
11404@end quotation
11405
11406@enumerate
11407
11408@cindex member functions
11409@item
11410Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11411
11412@smallexample
11413count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11414@end smallexample
11415
11416@vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11417@cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11418@item
11419While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11420expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11421that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11422pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11423
11424@cindex call overloaded functions
11425@cindex overloaded functions, calling
11426@cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11427@item
11428You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11429call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11430perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11431calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11432in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11433default arguments.
11434
11435It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11436promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11437class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11438functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11439number of function arguments.
11440
11441Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11442@code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11443,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11444
11445You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11446explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11447@smallexample
11448p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11449@end smallexample
11450
11451The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11452see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11453
11454@cindex reference declarations
11455@item
11456@value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11457them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11458dereferenced.
11459
11460In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11461reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11462avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11463The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11464you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11465
11466@item
11467@value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11468expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11469one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11470necessary, for example in an expression like
11471@samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11472resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11473debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11474@end enumerate
11475
11476In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11477calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11478objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11479invoking user-defined operators.
11480
11481@node C Defaults
11482@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11483
11484@cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11485
11486If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11487both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11488C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11489selects the working language.
11490
11491If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11492recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11493@file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11494these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11495@xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11496for further details.
11497
11498@c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11499@c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11500@c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11501
11502@node C Checks
11503@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11504
11505@cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11506
11507By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11508is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11509considers two variables type equivalent if:
11510
11511@itemize @bullet
11512@item
11513The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11514enumerated tag.
11515
11516@item
11517The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11518declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11519
11520@ignore
11521@c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11522@c FIXME--beers?
11523@item
11524The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11525declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11526compilers.)
11527@end ignore
11528@end itemize
11529
11530Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11531indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11532that is not itself an array.
11533
11534@node Debugging C
11535@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11536
11537The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11538the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11539inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11540appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11541
11542The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11543with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11544,Expressions}.
11545
11546@node Debugging C Plus Plus
11547@subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11548
11549@cindex commands for C@t{++}
11550
11551Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11552designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11553
11554@table @code
11555@cindex break in overloaded functions
11556@item @r{breakpoint menus}
11557When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11558@value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11559locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11560@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11561
11562@cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11563@item rbreak @var{regex}
11564Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11565breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11566classes.
11567@xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11568
11569@cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11570@item catch throw
11571@itemx catch catch
11572Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11573Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11574
11575@cindex inheritance
11576@item ptype @var{typename}
11577Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11578@var{typename}.
11579@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11580
11581@cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11582@item set print demangle
11583@itemx show print demangle
11584@itemx set print asm-demangle
11585@itemx show print asm-demangle
11586Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11587displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11588@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11589
11590@item set print object
11591@itemx show print object
11592Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11593@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11594
11595@item set print vtbl
11596@itemx show print vtbl
11597Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11598@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11599(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11600ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11601
11602@kindex set overload-resolution
11603@cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11604@item set overload-resolution on
11605Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11606is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11607and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11608using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11609Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11610If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11611
11612@item set overload-resolution off
11613Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11614overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11615chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11616symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11617overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11618searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11619argument types.
11620
11621@kindex show overload-resolution
11622@item show overload-resolution
11623Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11624
11625@item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11626You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11627the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11628@code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11629also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11630available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11631@xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11632@end table
11633
11634@node Decimal Floating Point
11635@subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11636@cindex decimal floating point format
11637
11638@value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11639decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11640@code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11641specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11642
11643There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11644Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11645PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11646target.
11647
11648Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11649to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11650(using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11651
11652In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11653point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11654underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11655
11656In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11657to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11658See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11659
11660@node Objective-C
11661@subsection Objective-C
11662
11663@cindex Objective-C
11664This section provides information about some commands and command
11665options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
11666@ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
11667few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
11668
11669@menu
11670* Method Names in Commands::
11671* The Print Command with Objective-C::
11672@end menu
11673
11674@node Method Names in Commands
11675@subsubsection Method Names in Commands
11676
11677The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
11678names as line specifications:
11679
11680@kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
11681@kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
11682@kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
11683@kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
11684@kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
11685@itemize
11686@item @code{clear}
11687@item @code{break}
11688@item @code{info line}
11689@item @code{jump}
11690@item @code{list}
11691@end itemize
11692
11693A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
11694
11695@smallexample
11696-[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
11697@end smallexample
11698
11699where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
11700plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
11701name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
11702brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
11703source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
11704instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
11705debugged, enter:
11706
11707@smallexample
11708break -[Fruit create]
11709@end smallexample
11710
11711To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
11712enter:
11713
11714@smallexample
11715list +[NSText initialize]
11716@end smallexample
11717
11718In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
11719required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
11720sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
11721is also possible to specify just a method name:
11722
11723@smallexample
11724break create
11725@end smallexample
11726
11727You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
11728your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
11729you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
11730method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
11731none apply.
11732
11733As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
11734@code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
11735
11736@smallexample
11737clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
11738@end smallexample
11739
11740@node The Print Command with Objective-C
11741@subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
11742@cindex Objective-C, print objects
11743@kindex print-object
11744@kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
11745
11746The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
11747
11748@smallexample
11749print -[@var{object} hash]
11750@end smallexample
11751
11752@cindex print an Objective-C object description
11753@cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
11754@noindent
11755will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
11756and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
11757@code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
11758the description of an object. However, this command may only work
11759with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
11760function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
11761
11762@node Fortran
11763@subsection Fortran
11764@cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
11765
11766@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
11767currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
11768
11769@cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11770Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11771among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11772functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11773will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11774underscore.
11775
11776@menu
11777* Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11778* Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11779* Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11780@end menu
11781
11782@node Fortran Operators
11783@subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11784
11785@cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11786
11787Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11788@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11789arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11790
11791@table @code
11792@item **
11793The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11794of the second one.
11795
11796@item :
11797The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11798represent a section of array.
11799
11800@item %
11801The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11802types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11803this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11804union type.
11805@end table
11806
11807@node Fortran Defaults
11808@subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11809
11810@cindex Fortran Defaults
11811
11812Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11813default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11814change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11815@ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11816
11817@node Special Fortran Commands
11818@subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11819
11820@cindex Special Fortran commands
11821
11822@value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11823such as displaying common blocks.
11824
11825@table @code
11826@cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11827@kindex info common
11828@item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11829This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11830block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11831all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11832printed.
11833@end table
11834
11835@node Pascal
11836@subsection Pascal
11837
11838@cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11839Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11840nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11841entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11842syntax.
11843
11844The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11845controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11846@xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11847
11848@node Modula-2
11849@subsection Modula-2
11850
11851@cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
11852
11853The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
11854output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
11855developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
11856attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11857to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
11858table.
11859
11860@cindex expressions in Modula-2
11861@menu
11862* M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
11863* Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
11864* M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
11865* M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
11866* M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
11867* Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
11868* M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
11869* M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11870* GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11871@end menu
11872
11873@node M2 Operators
11874@subsubsection Operators
11875@cindex Modula-2 operators
11876
11877Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11878@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11879often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
11880following definitions hold:
11881
11882@itemize @bullet
11883
11884@item
11885@emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
11886their subranges.
11887
11888@item
11889@emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
11890
11891@item
11892@emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
11893
11894@item
11895@emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
11896@var{type}}.
11897
11898@item
11899@emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
11900
11901@item
11902@emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
11903
11904@item
11905@emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
11906@end itemize
11907
11908@noindent
11909The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
11910increasing precedence:
11911
11912@table @code
11913@item ,
11914Function argument or array index separator.
11915
11916@item :=
11917Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
11918@var{value}.
11919
11920@item <@r{, }>
11921Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
11922types.
11923
11924@item <=@r{, }>=
11925Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
11926on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
11927set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
11928
11929@item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
11930Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
11931Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
11932available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
11933comment character.
11934
11935@item IN
11936Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
11937Same precedence as @code{<}.
11938
11939@item OR
11940Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11941
11942@item AND@r{, }&
11943Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11944
11945@item @@
11946The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11947
11948@item +@r{, }-
11949Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
11950and difference on set types.
11951
11952@item *
11953Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
11954on set types.
11955
11956@item /
11957Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
11958types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
11959
11960@item DIV@r{, }MOD
11961Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
11962precedence as @code{*}.
11963
11964@item -
11965Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
11966
11967@item ^
11968Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
11969
11970@item NOT
11971Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11972@code{^}.
11973
11974@item .
11975@code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11976precedence as @code{^}.
11977
11978@item []
11979Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11980
11981@item ()
11982Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11983as @code{^}.
11984
11985@item ::@r{, }.
11986@value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11987@end table
11988
11989@quotation
11990@emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11991treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11992@code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11993@code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11994@end quotation
11995
11996
11997@node Built-In Func/Proc
11998@subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11999@cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12000
12001Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12002In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12003
12004@table @var
12005
12006@item a
12007represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12008
12009@item c
12010represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12011
12012@item i
12013represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12014
12015@item m
12016represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12017same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12018be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12019
12020@item n
12021represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12022
12023@item r
12024represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12025
12026@item t
12027represents a type.
12028
12029@item v
12030represents a variable.
12031
12032@item x
12033represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12034explanation of the function for details.
12035@end table
12036
12037All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12038
12039@table @code
12040@item ABS(@var{n})
12041Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12042
12043@item CAP(@var{c})
12044If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12045equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12046
12047@item CHR(@var{i})
12048Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12049
12050@item DEC(@var{v})
12051Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12052
12053@item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12054Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12055new value.
12056
12057@item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12058Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12059set.
12060
12061@item FLOAT(@var{i})
12062Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12063
12064@item HIGH(@var{a})
12065Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12066
12067@item INC(@var{v})
12068Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12069
12070@item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12071Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12072new value.
12073
12074@item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12075Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12076there. Returns the new set.
12077
12078@item MAX(@var{t})
12079Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12080
12081@item MIN(@var{t})
12082Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12083
12084@item ODD(@var{i})
12085Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12086
12087@item ORD(@var{x})
12088Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12089value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12090@sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12091integral, character and enumerated types.
12092
12093@item SIZE(@var{x})
12094Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12095
12096@item TRUNC(@var{r})
12097Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12098
12099@item TSIZE(@var{x})
12100Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12101
12102@item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12103Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12104@end table
12105
12106@quotation
12107@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12108@value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12109an error.
12110@end quotation
12111
12112@cindex Modula-2 constants
12113@node M2 Constants
12114@subsubsection Constants
12115
12116@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12117ways:
12118
12119@itemize @bullet
12120
12121@item
12122Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12123expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12124rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12125trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12126
12127@item
12128Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12129decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12130then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12131@samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12132digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12133digits.
12134
12135@item
12136Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12137like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12138also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12139followed by a @samp{C}.
12140
12141@item
12142String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12143pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12144Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12145Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12146sequences.
12147
12148@item
12149Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12150
12151@item
12152Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12153@code{FALSE}.
12154
12155@item
12156Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12157
12158@item
12159Set constants are not yet supported.
12160@end itemize
12161
12162@node M2 Types
12163@subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12164@cindex Modula-2 types
12165
12166Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12167syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12168types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12169print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12170This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12171sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12172
12173The first example contains the following section of code:
12174
12175@smallexample
12176VAR
12177 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12178 r: [20..40] ;
12179@end smallexample
12180
12181@noindent
12182and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12183@code{r} and @code{s}.
12184
12185@smallexample
12186(@value{GDBP}) print s
12187@{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12188(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12189SET OF CHAR
12190(@value{GDBP}) print r
1219121
12192(@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12193[20..40]
12194@end smallexample
12195
12196@noindent
12197Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12198
12199@smallexample
12200VAR
12201 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12202@end smallexample
12203
12204@noindent
12205then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12206
12207@smallexample
12208(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12209type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12210@end smallexample
12211
12212@noindent
12213Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12214expressions using the debugger.
12215
12216The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12217and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12218
12219@smallexample
12220VAR
12221 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12222@end smallexample
12223
12224@smallexample
12225(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12226ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12227@end smallexample
12228
12229Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12230is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12231arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12232above.
12233
12234Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12235
12236@smallexample
12237TYPE
12238 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12239 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12240VAR
12241 s: t ;
12242BEGIN
12243 s := blue ;
12244@end smallexample
12245
12246@noindent
12247The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12248and value of a variable.
12249
12250@smallexample
12251(@value{GDBP}) print s
12252$1 = blue
12253(@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12254type = [blue..yellow]
12255@end smallexample
12256
12257@noindent
12258In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12259displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12260their @code{C} counterparts.
12261
12262@smallexample
12263VAR
12264 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12265BEGIN
12266 s[1] := 1 ;
12267@end smallexample
12268
12269@smallexample
12270(@value{GDBP}) print s
12271$1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12272(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12273type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12274@end smallexample
12275
12276The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12277pointer types as shown in this example:
12278
12279@smallexample
12280VAR
12281 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12282BEGIN
12283 NEW(s) ;
12284 s^[1] := 1 ;
12285@end smallexample
12286
12287@noindent
12288and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12289
12290@smallexample
12291(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12292type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12293@end smallexample
12294
12295@value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12296Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12297types:
12298
12299@smallexample
12300TYPE
12301 foo = RECORD
12302 f1: CARDINAL ;
12303 f2: CHAR ;
12304 f3: myarray ;
12305 END ;
12306
12307 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12308 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12309VAR
12310 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12311@end smallexample
12312
12313@noindent
12314and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12315below.
12316
12317@smallexample
12318(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12319type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12320 f1 : CARDINAL;
12321 f2 : CHAR;
12322 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12323END
12324@end smallexample
12325
12326@node M2 Defaults
12327@subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12328@cindex Modula-2 defaults
12329
12330If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12331both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12332Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12333selected the working language.
12334
12335If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12336code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12337working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12338Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12339
12340@node Deviations
12341@subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12342@cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12343
12344A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12345This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12346
12347@itemize @bullet
12348@item
12349Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12350integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12351debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12352pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12353through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12354returned a pointer.)
12355
12356@item
12357C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12358non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12359escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12360printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12361
12362@item
12363The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12364argument.
12365
12366@item
12367All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12368@end itemize
12369
12370@node M2 Checks
12371@subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12372@cindex Modula-2 checks
12373
12374@quotation
12375@emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12376range checking.
12377@end quotation
12378@c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12379
12380@value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12381
12382@itemize @bullet
12383@item
12384They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12385@var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12386
12387@item
12388They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12389@sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12390@end itemize
12391
12392As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12393whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12394
12395Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12396index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12397
12398@node M2 Scope
12399@subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12400@cindex scope
12401@cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12402@cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12403@ifinfo
12404@vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12405@c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12406@end ifinfo
12407@ifnotinfo
12408@vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12409@end ifnotinfo
12410
12411There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12412(@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12413similar syntax:
12414
12415@smallexample
12416
12417@var{module} . @var{id}
12418@var{scope} :: @var{id}
12419@end smallexample
12420
12421@noindent
12422where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12423@var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12424identifier within your program, except another module.
12425
12426Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12427specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12428found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12429enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12430
12431Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12432the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12433definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12434an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12435module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12436@var{module}.
12437
12438@node GDB/M2
12439@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12440
12441Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12442Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12443specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12444@samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12445apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12446analogue in Modula-2.
12447
12448The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12449with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12450intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12451created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12452address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12453@samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12454
12455@cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12456In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12457interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12458
12459@node Ada
12460@subsection Ada
12461@cindex Ada
12462
12463The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12464output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12465Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12466attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12467to be difficult.
12468
12469
12470@cindex expressions in Ada
12471@menu
12472* Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12473 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12474 in @value{GDBN}.
12475* Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12476* Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12477* Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12478* Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12479* Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12480* Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12481@end menu
12482
12483@node Ada Mode Intro
12484@subsubsection Introduction
12485@cindex Ada mode, general
12486
12487The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12488syntax, with some extensions.
12489The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12490
12491@itemize @bullet
12492@item
12493That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12494arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12495leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12496program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12497
12498@item
12499That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12500are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12501
12502@item
12503That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12504@end itemize
12505
12506Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12507user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12508according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12509names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12510ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12511
12512The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12513As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12514was translated from an Ada source file.
12515
12516While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12517mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12518(@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12519middle (to allow based literals).
12520
12521The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12522the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12523actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12524the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12525procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12526functions to procedures elsewhere.
12527
12528@node Omissions from Ada
12529@subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12530@cindex Ada, omissions from
12531
12532Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12533
12534@itemize @bullet
12535@item
12536Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12537
12538@itemize @minus
12539@item
12540@t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12541 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12542
12543@item
12544@t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12545
12546@item
12547@t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12548
12549@item
12550@t{'Tag}.
12551
12552@item
12553@t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12554operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12555
12556@item
12557@t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12558@t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12559
12560@item
12561@t{'Address}.
12562@end itemize
12563
12564@item
12565The names in
12566@code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12567concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12568not currently available.
12569
12570@item
12571Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12572equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12573for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12574They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12575types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12576(in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12577zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12578indeterminate values.
12579
12580@item
12581The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12582@code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12583are not implemented.
12584
12585@item
12586@cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12587@cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12588@cindex aggregates (Ada)
12589There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12590permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12591
12592@smallexample
12593(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12594(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12595(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12596(@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12597(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12598(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12599@end smallexample
12600
12601Changing a
12602discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12603undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12604However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12605them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12606aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12607declared to have a type such as:
12608
12609@smallexample
12610type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12611 Id : Integer;
12612 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12613end record;
12614@end smallexample
12615
12616you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12617assignments:
12618
12619@smallexample
12620(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12621(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12622@end smallexample
12623
12624As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12625rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12626components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12627component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12628original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12629indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12630redundant component associations, although which component values are
12631assigned in such cases is not defined.
12632
12633@item
12634Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12635
12636@item
12637The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12638than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12639which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12640looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12641function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12642the proper resolution.
12643
12644@item
12645The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12646
12647@item
12648Entry calls are not implemented.
12649
12650@item
12651Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12652formats are not supported.
12653
12654@item
12655It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12656
12657@item
12658The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
12659are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
12660context.
12661Should your program
12662redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
12663you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
12664@end itemize
12665
12666@node Additions to Ada
12667@subsubsection Additions to Ada
12668@cindex Ada, deviations from
12669
12670As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
12671extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
12672
12673@itemize @bullet
12674@item
12675If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
12676a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
12677then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
12678@var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
12679Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
12680in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
12681Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
12682which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
12683
12684@item
12685@code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
12686appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
12687you must typically surround it in single quotes.
12688
12689@item
12690The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
12691@var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
12692
12693@item
12694A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
12695(@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
12696@end itemize
12697
12698In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
12699additions specific to Ada:
12700
12701@itemize @bullet
12702@item
12703The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
12704its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
12705
12706@smallexample
12707(@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
12708(@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
12709@end smallexample
12710
12711@item
12712The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
12713the value of its right-hand operand.
12714This allows, for example,
12715complex conditional breaks:
12716
12717@smallexample
12718(@value{GDBP}) break f
12719(@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
12720@end smallexample
12721
12722@item
12723Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
12724characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
12725which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
12726@samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
12727(single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
12728sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
12729in strings. For example,
12730@smallexample
12731 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
12732@end smallexample
12733@noindent
12734contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
12735after each period.
12736
12737@item
12738The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
12739@t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
12740to write
12741
12742@smallexample
12743(@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
12744@end smallexample
12745
12746@item
12747When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
12748array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
12749For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
12750of 3 might print as
12751
12752@smallexample
12753(3 => 10, 17, 1)
12754@end smallexample
12755
12756@noindent
12757That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
12758clause.
12759
12760@item
12761You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
12762multi-character subsequence of
12763their names (an exact match gets preference).
12764For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
12765in place of @t{a'length}.
12766
12767@item
12768@cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12769Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12770to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12771some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12772For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12773enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12774For example,
12775@smallexample
12776(@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12777@end smallexample
12778
12779@item
12780Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12781access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12782specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12783selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12784object.
12785
12786@end itemize
12787
12788@node Stopping Before Main Program
12789@subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12790
12791@cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12792It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12793before reaching the main procedure.
12794As defined in the Ada Reference
12795Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12796@code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12797elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12798@code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12799
12800@node Ada Tasks
12801@subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12802@cindex Ada, tasking
12803
12804Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12805@value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12806
12807@table @code
12808@kindex info tasks
12809@item info tasks
12810This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12811
12812
12813@smallexample
12814@iftex
12815@leftskip=0.5cm
12816@end iftex
12817(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12818 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12819 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12820 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12821 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12822* 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12823
12824@end smallexample
12825
12826@noindent
12827In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12828task currently being inspected.
12829
12830@table @asis
12831@item ID
12832Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12833
12834@item TID
12835The Ada task ID.
12836
12837@item P-ID
12838The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12839
12840@item Pri
12841The base priority of the task.
12842
12843@item State
12844Current state of the task.
12845
12846@table @code
12847@item Unactivated
12848The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
12849executing.
12850
12851@item Runnable
12852The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
12853for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
12854
12855@item Terminated
12856The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
12857that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
12858terminated themselves.
12859
12860@item Child Activation Wait
12861The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
12862
12863@item Accept Statement
12864The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
12865
12866@item Waiting on entry call
12867The task is waiting on an entry call.
12868
12869@item Async Select Wait
12870The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
12871select statement.
12872
12873@item Delay Sleep
12874The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
12875alternative open.
12876
12877@item Child Termination Wait
12878The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
12879waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
12880waiting on a terminate Phase.
12881
12882@item Wait Child in Term Alt
12883The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
12884finish terminating.
12885
12886@item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
12887The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
12888@end table
12889
12890@item Name
12891Name of the task in the program.
12892
12893@end table
12894
12895@kindex info task @var{taskno}
12896@item info task @var{taskno}
12897This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
12898the following example:
12899@smallexample
12900@iftex
12901@leftskip=0.5cm
12902@end iftex
12903(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12904 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12905 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12906* 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
12907(@value{GDBP}) info task 2
12908Ada Task: 0x807c468
12909Name: task_1
12910Thread: 0x807f378
12911Parent: 1 (main_task)
12912Base Priority: 15
12913State: Runnable
12914@end smallexample
12915
12916@item task
12917@kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
12918@cindex current Ada task ID
12919This command prints the ID of the current task.
12920
12921@smallexample
12922@iftex
12923@leftskip=0.5cm
12924@end iftex
12925(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12926 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12927 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12928* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12929(@value{GDBP}) task
12930[Current task is 2]
12931@end smallexample
12932
12933@item task @var{taskno}
12934@cindex Ada task switching
12935This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
12936command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
12937from the current task to the given task.
12938
12939@smallexample
12940@iftex
12941@leftskip=0.5cm
12942@end iftex
12943(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12944 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12945 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12946* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12947(@value{GDBP}) task 1
12948[Switching to task 1]
12949#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12950(@value{GDBP}) bt
12951#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12952#1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
12953#2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
12954#3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
12955#4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
12956@end smallexample
12957
12958@item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
12959@itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
12960@cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
12961@cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
12962@kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
12963These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
12964command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
12965@var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
12966in @ref{Specify Location}.
12967
12968Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
12969to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
12970particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12971numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12972column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12973
12974If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12975breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12976program.
12977
12978You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12979well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12980breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12981
12982For example,
12983
12984@smallexample
12985@iftex
12986@leftskip=0.5cm
12987@end iftex
12988(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12989 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12990 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12991 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12992 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12993* 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12994(@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12995Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12996(@value{GDBP}) cont
12997Continuing.
12998task # 1 running
12999task # 2 running
13000
13001Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
1300215 flush;
13003(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13004 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13005 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13006* 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13007 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13008 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13009@end smallexample
13010@end table
13011
13012@node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13013@subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13014@cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13015
13016When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13017tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13018the platform being used.
13019For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13020switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13021as usual.
13022
13023On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13024memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13025a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13026privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13027Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13028file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13029
13030@node Ada Glitches
13031@subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13032@cindex Ada, problems
13033
13034Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13035we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13036@value{GDBN},
13037some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13038and the GNU Ada compiler.
13039
13040@itemize @bullet
13041@item
13042Currently, the debugger
13043has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
13044pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
13045Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
13046to get it printed properly.
13047
13048@item
13049Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13050storage are invisible to the debugger.
13051
13052@item
13053Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13054argument lists are treated as positional).
13055
13056@item
13057Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13058
13059@item
13060Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13061floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13062the host machine.
13063
13064@item
13065The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13066the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13067this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13068look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13069symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13070defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13071local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13072GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13073you can usually resolve the confusion
13074by qualifying the problematic names with package
13075@code{Standard} explicitly.
13076@end itemize
13077
13078Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13079information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13080of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13081around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13082to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13083enabled.
13084
13085@kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13086@kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13087@table @code
13088
13089@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13090Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13091value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13092types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13093a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13094This is the default.
13095
13096@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13097This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13098sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13099trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13100the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13101@code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13102recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13103
13104@end table
13105
13106@node Unsupported Languages
13107@section Unsupported Languages
13108
13109@cindex unsupported languages
13110@cindex minimal language
13111In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13112@value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13113It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13114of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13115This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13116an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13117
13118If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13119select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13120language.
13121
13122@node Symbols
13123@chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13124
13125The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13126symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13127program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13128does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13129program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13130(@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13131file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13132
13133@cindex symbol names
13134@cindex names of symbols
13135@cindex quoting names
13136Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13137characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13138most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13139source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13140are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13141ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13142@samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13143@samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13144
13145@smallexample
13146p 'foo.c'::x
13147@end smallexample
13148
13149@noindent
13150looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13151
13152@table @code
13153@cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13154@cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13155@kindex set case-sensitive
13156@item set case-sensitive on
13157@itemx set case-sensitive off
13158@itemx set case-sensitive auto
13159Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13160with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13161Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13162case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13163case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13164you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13165suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13166matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13167case-insensitive matches.
13168
13169@kindex show case-sensitive
13170@item show case-sensitive
13171This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13172lookups.
13173
13174@kindex info address
13175@cindex address of a symbol
13176@item info address @var{symbol}
13177Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13178variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13179local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13180is always stored.
13181
13182Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13183at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13184the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13185
13186@kindex info symbol
13187@cindex symbol from address
13188@cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13189@item info symbol @var{addr}
13190Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13191If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13192nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13193
13194@smallexample
13195(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13196_initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13197@end smallexample
13198
13199@noindent
13200This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13201it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13202
13203For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13204library containing the symbol is also printed:
13205
13206@smallexample
13207(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13208_start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13209(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13210__read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13211@end smallexample
13212
13213@kindex whatis
13214@item whatis [@var{arg}]
13215Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13216a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13217last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13218not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13219assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13220@var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13221for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13222@samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13223@samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13224@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13225
13226@kindex ptype
13227@item ptype [@var{arg}]
13228@code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13229detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13230@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13231
13232For example, for this variable declaration:
13233
13234@smallexample
13235struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13236@end smallexample
13237
13238@noindent
13239the two commands give this output:
13240
13241@smallexample
13242@group
13243(@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13244type = struct complex
13245(@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13246type = struct complex @{
13247 double real;
13248 double imag;
13249@}
13250@end group
13251@end smallexample
13252
13253@noindent
13254As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13255the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13256
13257@cindex incomplete type
13258Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13259of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13260program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13261the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13262given these declarations:
13263
13264@smallexample
13265 struct foo;
13266 struct foo *fooptr;
13267@end smallexample
13268
13269@noindent
13270but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13271
13272@smallexample
13273 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13274 $1 = <incomplete type>
13275@end smallexample
13276
13277@noindent
13278``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13279completely specified.
13280
13281@kindex info types
13282@item info types @var{regexp}
13283@itemx info types
13284Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13285expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13286no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13287complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13288types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13289@samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13290name is @code{value}.
13291
13292This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13293@code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13294lists all source files where a type is defined.
13295
13296@kindex info scope
13297@cindex local variables
13298@item info scope @var{location}
13299List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13300accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13301an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13302to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13303details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13304
13305@smallexample
13306(@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13307Scope for command_line_handler:
13308Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13309Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13310Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13311Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13312Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13313Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13314Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13315@end smallexample
13316
13317@noindent
13318This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13319during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13320collect}.
13321
13322@kindex info source
13323@item info source
13324Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13325the function containing the current point of execution:
13326@itemize @bullet
13327@item
13328the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13329@item
13330the directory it was compiled in,
13331@item
13332its length, in lines,
13333@item
13334which programming language it is written in,
13335@item
13336whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13337if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13338@item
13339whether the debugging information includes information about
13340preprocessor macros.
13341@end itemize
13342
13343
13344@kindex info sources
13345@item info sources
13346Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13347debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13348have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13349
13350@kindex info functions
13351@item info functions
13352Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13353
13354@item info functions @var{regexp}
13355Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13356whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13357Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13358include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13359start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13360that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13361@samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13362
13363@kindex info variables
13364@item info variables
13365Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13366outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13367
13368@item info variables @var{regexp}
13369Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13370variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13371@var{regexp}.
13372
13373@kindex info classes
13374@cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13375@item info classes
13376@itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13377Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13378(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13379expression.
13380
13381@kindex info selectors
13382@item info selectors
13383@itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13384Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13385(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13386expression.
13387
13388@ignore
13389This was never implemented.
13390@kindex info methods
13391@item info methods
13392@itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13393The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13394methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13395specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13396C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13397from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13398@code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13399which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13400@end ignore
13401
13402@cindex reloading symbols
13403Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13404be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13405in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13406running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13407@value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13408
13409@table @code
13410@kindex set symbol-reloading
13411@item set symbol-reloading on
13412Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13413object file with a particular name is seen again.
13414
13415@item set symbol-reloading off
13416Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13417same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13418running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13419should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13420may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13421several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13422name.
13423
13424@kindex show symbol-reloading
13425@item show symbol-reloading
13426Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13427@end table
13428
13429@cindex opaque data types
13430@kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13431@item set opaque-type-resolution on
13432Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13433declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13434@code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13435source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13436another source file. The default is on.
13437
13438A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13439the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13440
13441@item set opaque-type-resolution off
13442Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13443is printed as follows:
13444@smallexample
13445@{<no data fields>@}
13446@end smallexample
13447
13448@kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13449@item show opaque-type-resolution
13450Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13451
13452@kindex maint print symbols
13453@cindex symbol dump
13454@kindex maint print psymbols
13455@cindex partial symbol dump
13456@item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13457@itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13458@itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13459Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13460These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13461symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13462symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13463collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13464only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13465command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13466use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13467symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13468files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13469@samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13470required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13471@xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13472@value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13473
13474@kindex maint info symtabs
13475@kindex maint info psymtabs
13476@cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13477@cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13478@cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13479@cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13480@item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13481@itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13482
13483List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13484structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13485given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13486copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13487structure in more detail. For example:
13488
13489@smallexample
13490(@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13491@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13492 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13493 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13494 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13495 readin no
13496 fullname (null)
13497 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13498 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13499 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13500 dependencies (none)
13501 @}
13502@}
13503(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13504(@value{GDBP})
13505@end smallexample
13506@noindent
13507We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13508the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13509and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13510If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13511read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13512
13513@smallexample
13514(@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13515Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13516line 1574.
13517(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13518@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13519 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13520 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13521 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13522 dirname (null)
13523 fullname (null)
13524 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13525 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13526 debugformat DWARF 2
13527 @}
13528@}
13529(@value{GDBP})
13530@end smallexample
13531@end table
13532
13533
13534@node Altering
13535@chapter Altering Execution
13536
13537Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13538find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13539correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13540experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13541program.
13542
13543For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13544locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13545address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13546
13547@menu
13548* Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13549* Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13550* Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13551* Returning:: Returning from a function
13552* Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13553* Patching:: Patching your program
13554@end menu
13555
13556@node Assignment
13557@section Assignment to Variables
13558
13559@cindex assignment
13560@cindex setting variables
13561To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13562@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13563
13564@smallexample
13565print x=4
13566@end smallexample
13567
13568@noindent
13569stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13570value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13571@xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13572information on operators in supported languages.
13573
13574@kindex set variable
13575@cindex variables, setting
13576If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13577@code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13578really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13579not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13580,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13581
13582If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13583appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13584variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13585to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13586program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13587a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13588command @code{set width}:
13589
13590@smallexample
13591(@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13592type = double
13593(@value{GDBP}) p width
13594$4 = 13
13595(@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13596Invalid syntax in expression.
13597@end smallexample
13598
13599@noindent
13600The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13601order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13602
13603@smallexample
13604(@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13605@end smallexample
13606
13607Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13608with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13609@code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13610your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13611to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13612the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13613
13614@smallexample
13615@group
13616(@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13617type = double
13618(@value{GDBP}) p g
13619$1 = 1
13620(@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13621(@value{GDBP}) p g
13622$2 = 1
13623(@value{GDBP}) r
13624The program being debugged has been started already.
13625Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13626Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13627"/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13628 Invalid bfd target.
13629(@value{GDBP}) show g
13630The current BFD target is "=4".
13631@end group
13632@end smallexample
13633
13634@noindent
13635The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13636@code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13637@code{g}, use
13638
13639@smallexample
13640(@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13641@end smallexample
13642
13643@value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13644freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13645and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13646same length or shorter.
13647@comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13648@comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13649
13650To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13651construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13652(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13653to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13654and representation in memory), and
13655
13656@smallexample
13657set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13658@end smallexample
13659
13660@noindent
13661stores the value 4 into that memory location.
13662
13663@node Jumping
13664@section Continuing at a Different Address
13665
13666Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
13667it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
13668an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
13669
13670@table @code
13671@kindex jump
13672@item jump @var{linespec}
13673@itemx jump @var{location}
13674Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
13675@var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
13676breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
13677different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
13678practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
13679@code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13680
13681The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
13682the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
13683register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
13684a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
13685be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
13686of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
13687confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
13688executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
13689well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
13690@end table
13691
13692@c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
13693On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
13694command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
13695difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
13696changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
13697example,
13698
13699@smallexample
13700set $pc = 0x485
13701@end smallexample
13702
13703@noindent
13704makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
13705address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
13706@xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
13707
13708The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
13709up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
13710that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
13711detail.
13712
13713@c @group
13714@node Signaling
13715@section Giving your Program a Signal
13716@cindex deliver a signal to a program
13717
13718@table @code
13719@kindex signal
13720@item signal @var{signal}
13721Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
13722signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
13723signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
13724SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
13725
13726Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
13727giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
13728a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
13729@code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
13730signal.
13731
13732@code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
13733after executing the command.
13734@end table
13735@c @end group
13736
13737Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
13738@code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
13739causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
13740the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
13741passes the signal directly to your program.
13742
13743
13744@node Returning
13745@section Returning from a Function
13746
13747@table @code
13748@cindex returning from a function
13749@kindex return
13750@item return
13751@itemx return @var{expression}
13752You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
13753command. If you give an
13754@var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
13755value.
13756@end table
13757
13758When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
13759(and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
13760discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
13761be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
13762
13763This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
13764Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
13765innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
13766specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
13767of functions.
13768
13769The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
13770program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
13771returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
13772and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
13773selected stack frame returns naturally.
13774
13775@value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
13776the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
13777type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
13778OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
13779CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
13780registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
13781specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
13782current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
13783assignment into the right register(s).
13784
13785Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
13786use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
13787debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
13788function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
13789int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
13790into a @code{long long int}:
13791
13792@smallexample
13793Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
1379429 return 31;
13795(@value{GDBP}) return -1
13796Make func return now? (y or n) y
13797#0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
1379843 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13799(@value{GDBP})
13800@end smallexample
13801
13802However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13803function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13804to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13805in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13806typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13807of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13808architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13809an appropriate cast explicitly:
13810
13811@smallexample
13812Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13813(@value{GDBP}) return -1
13814Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13815Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13816(@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13817Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13818#0 0x00400526 in main ()
13819(@value{GDBP})
13820@end smallexample
13821
13822@node Calling
13823@section Calling Program Functions
13824
13825@table @code
13826@cindex calling functions
13827@cindex inferior functions, calling
13828@item print @var{expr}
13829Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13830@var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13831debugged.
13832
13833@kindex call
13834@item call @var{expr}
13835Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13836returned values.
13837
13838You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13839execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13840(a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13841with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13842print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13843value history.
13844@end table
13845
13846It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13847@code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
13848the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
13849in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
13850
13851Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
13852call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
13853exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
13854frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
13855an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
13856dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
13857seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
13858in that case is controlled by the
13859@code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
13860
13861@table @code
13862@item set unwindonsignal
13863@kindex set unwindonsignal
13864@cindex unwind stack in called functions
13865@cindex call dummy stack unwinding
13866Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
13867that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
13868@value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
13869the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
13870default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
13871received.
13872
13873@item show unwindonsignal
13874@kindex show unwindonsignal
13875Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13876@value{GDBN}.
13877
13878@item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13879@kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13880@cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
13881@cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
13882Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
13883unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
13884debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
13885it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
13886the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
13887the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
13888
13889@item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13890@kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13891Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13892@value{GDBN}.
13893
13894@end table
13895
13896@cindex weak alias functions
13897Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
13898for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
13899the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
13900which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
13901As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
13902even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
13903function instead.
13904
13905@node Patching
13906@section Patching Programs
13907
13908@cindex patching binaries
13909@cindex writing into executables
13910@cindex writing into corefiles
13911
13912By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
13913executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
13914alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
13915patching your program's binary.
13916
13917If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
13918explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
13919want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
13920repairs.
13921
13922@table @code
13923@kindex set write
13924@item set write on
13925@itemx set write off
13926If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
13927core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
13928off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
13929
13930If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
13931@code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
13932write}, for your new setting to take effect.
13933
13934@item show write
13935@kindex show write
13936Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
13937as well as reading.
13938@end table
13939
13940@node GDB Files
13941@chapter @value{GDBN} Files
13942
13943@value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
13944both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
13945program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
13946@value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
13947
13948@menu
13949* Files:: Commands to specify files
13950* Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
13951* Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
13952* Data Files:: GDB data files
13953@end menu
13954
13955@node Files
13956@section Commands to Specify Files
13957
13958@cindex symbol table
13959@cindex core dump file
13960
13961You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
13962way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
13963@value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
13964Out of @value{GDBN}}).
13965
13966Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
13967@value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
13968specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
13969via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
13970Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
13971new files are useful.
13972
13973@table @code
13974@cindex executable file
13975@kindex file
13976@item file @var{filename}
13977Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
13978symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
13979executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
13980directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
13981@value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
13982directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
13983to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
13984and your program, using the @code{path} command.
13985
13986@cindex unlinked object files
13987@cindex patching object files
13988You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
13989the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
13990file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
13991if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
13992@kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
13993that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
13994case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
13995the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
13996
13997@item file
13998@code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
13999has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14000
14001@kindex exec-file
14002@item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14003Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14004in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14005if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14006discard information on the executable file.
14007
14008@kindex symbol-file
14009@item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14010Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14011searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14012table and program to run from the same file.
14013
14014@code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14015program's symbol table.
14016
14017The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14018some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14019contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14020which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14021@value{GDBN}.
14022
14023@code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14024executing it once.
14025
14026When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14027understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14028generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14029other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14030Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14031using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14032optimized code.
14033
14034For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14035using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14036symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14037quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14038details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14039
14040The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14041start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14042occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14043file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14044pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14045Warnings and Messages}.)
14046
14047We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14048symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14049symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14050still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14051in stabs format.
14052
14053@kindex readnow
14054@cindex reading symbols immediately
14055@cindex symbols, reading immediately
14056@item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14057@itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14058You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14059tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14060load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14061entire symbol table available.
14062
14063@c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14064@c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14065@c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14066@c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14067@c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14068@c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14069@c files.
14070
14071@kindex core-file
14072@item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14073@itemx core
14074Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14075of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14076address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14077executable file itself for other parts.
14078
14079@code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14080to be used.
14081
14082Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14083under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14084wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14085the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14086(@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14087
14088@kindex add-symbol-file
14089@cindex dynamic linking
14090@item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14091@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14092@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14093The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14094information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14095when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14096into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14097address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14098this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14099of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14100section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14101@var{address} as an expression.
14102
14103The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14104originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14105@code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14106thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14107instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14108
14109@cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14110@cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14111@cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14112@cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14113@cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14114Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14115executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14116relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14117information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14118
14119@itemize @bullet
14120@item
14121the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14122that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14123@item
14124every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14125been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14126@item
14127you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14128provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14129@end itemize
14130
14131@noindent
14132Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14133relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14134typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14135important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14136procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14137assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14138general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14139relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14140as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14141way.
14142
14143@code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14144
14145@kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14146@cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14147@cindex load symbols from memory
14148@item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14149Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14150object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14151For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14152process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14153some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14154evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14155For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14156@code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14157
14158@kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14159@kindex assf
14160@item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14161@itemx assf @var{library-file}
14162The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14163in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14164alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14165@value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14166@value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14167@code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14168library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14169@code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14170
14171@kindex section
14172@item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14173The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14174@var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14175exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14176@code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14177itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14178@code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14179their addresses.
14180
14181@kindex info files
14182@kindex info target
14183@item info files
14184@itemx info target
14185@code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14186current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14187including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14188use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14189command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14190current ones.
14191
14192@kindex maint info sections
14193@item maint info sections
14194Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14195is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14196displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14197offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14198@code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14199may be arbitrarily combined):
14200
14201@table @code
14202@item ALLOBJ
14203Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14204@item @var{sections}
14205Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14206@item @var{section-flags}
14207Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14208The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14209@table @code
14210@item ALLOC
14211Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14212Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14213@item LOAD
14214Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14215Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14216@item RELOC
14217Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14218@item READONLY
14219Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14220@item CODE
14221Section contains executable code only.
14222@item DATA
14223Section contains data only (no executable code).
14224@item ROM
14225Section will reside in ROM.
14226@item CONSTRUCTOR
14227Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14228@item HAS_CONTENTS
14229Section is not empty.
14230@item NEVER_LOAD
14231An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14232@item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14233A notification to the linker that the section contains
14234COFF shared library information.
14235@item IS_COMMON
14236Section contains common symbols.
14237@end table
14238@end table
14239@kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14240@cindex read-only sections
14241@item set trust-readonly-sections on
14242Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14243really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14244In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14245out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14246For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14247enhancement to debugging performance.
14248
14249The default is off.
14250
14251@item set trust-readonly-sections off
14252Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14253the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14254and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14255
14256@item show trust-readonly-sections
14257Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14258@end table
14259
14260All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14261as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14262name and remembers it that way.
14263
14264@cindex shared libraries
14265@anchor{Shared Libraries}
14266@value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14267and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14268
14269On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14270shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14271
14272@value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14273when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14274(Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14275references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14276debugging a core file).
14277
14278On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14279automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14280
14281@c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14282@c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14283@c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14284
14285There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14286symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14287particularly large or there are many of them.
14288
14289To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14290commands:
14291
14292@table @code
14293@kindex set auto-solib-add
14294@item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14295If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14296will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14297attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14298informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14299is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14300@code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14301
14302@cindex memory used for symbol tables
14303If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14304takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14305memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14306symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14307auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14308library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14309@var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14310the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14311
14312@kindex show auto-solib-add
14313@item show auto-solib-add
14314Display the current autoloading mode.
14315@end table
14316
14317@cindex load shared library
14318To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14319command:
14320
14321@table @code
14322@kindex info sharedlibrary
14323@kindex info share
14324@item info share @var{regex}
14325@itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14326Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14327that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14328all shared libraries that are loaded.
14329
14330@kindex sharedlibrary
14331@kindex share
14332@item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14333@itemx share @var{regex}
14334Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14335Unix regular expression.
14336As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14337required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14338@var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14339loaded.
14340
14341@item nosharedlibrary
14342@kindex nosharedlibrary
14343@cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14344Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14345that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14346libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14347discarded.
14348@end table
14349
14350Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14351when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14352stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14353
14354@table @code
14355@item set stop-on-solib-events
14356@kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14357This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14358when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14359The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14360shared library.
14361
14362@item show stop-on-solib-events
14363@kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14364Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14365library events happen.
14366@end table
14367
14368Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14369configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14370this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14371on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14372libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14373provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14374copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14375not.
14376
14377@cindex where to look for shared libraries
14378For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14379libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14380may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14381to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14382
14383@table @code
14384@cindex prefix for shared library file names
14385@cindex system root, alternate
14386@kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14387@kindex set sysroot
14388@item set sysroot @var{path}
14389Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14390absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14391runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14392target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14393libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14394the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14395under @var{path}.
14396
14397If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14398retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14399supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14400command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14401The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14402(if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14403@footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14404that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14405variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14406
14407For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
14408SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
14409absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
14410@value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
14411slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
14412
14413@smallexample
14414 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
14415@end smallexample
14416
14417Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
14418@var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
14419system:
14420
14421@smallexample
14422 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
14423@end smallexample
14424
14425If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
14426the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
14427for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
14428colons:
14429
14430@smallexample
14431 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
14432@end smallexample
14433
14434This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
14435with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
14436copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
14437@samp{z}):
14438
14439@smallexample
14440 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
14441 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
14442 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
14443@end smallexample
14444
14445@noindent
14446and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
14447@value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
14448@file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
14449
14450If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
14451removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
14452
14453@smallexample
14454 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
14455@end smallexample
14456
14457This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
14458if you don't want or need to.
14459
14460The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14461sysroot}.
14462
14463@cindex default system root
14464@cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14465You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14466@samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14467@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14468@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14469automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14470location.
14471
14472@kindex show sysroot
14473@item show sysroot
14474Display the current shared library prefix.
14475
14476@kindex set solib-search-path
14477@item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14478If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14479directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14480is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14481path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14482use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14483@samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14484finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14485it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14486of shared library symbols.
14487
14488@kindex show solib-search-path
14489@item show solib-search-path
14490Display the current shared library search path.
14491
14492@cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
14493@kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
14494@kindex show target-file-system-kind
14495@item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
14496Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
14497
14498Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
14499make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
14500example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
14501system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
14502@value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
14503@file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
14504drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
14505indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
14506normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
14507the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
14508as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
14509it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
14510shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
14511with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
14512@code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
14513to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
14514map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
14515semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
14516to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
14517tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
14518current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
14519Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
14520
14521@table @code
14522@item unix
14523Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
14524kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
14525are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
14526the forward slash.
14527
14528@item dos-based
14529Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
14530File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
14531followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
14532both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
14533considered directory separators.
14534
14535@item auto
14536Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
14537target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
14538This is the default.
14539@end table
14540@end table
14541
14542
14543@node Separate Debug Files
14544@section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14545@cindex separate debugging information files
14546@cindex debugging information in separate files
14547@cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14548@cindex debugging information directory, global
14549@cindex global debugging information directory
14550@cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14551@cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14552
14553@value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14554file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14555@value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14556Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14557than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14558information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14559install only when they need to debug a problem.
14560
14561@value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14562file:
14563
14564@itemize @bullet
14565@item
14566The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14567the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14568usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14569name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14570(e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14571debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14572checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14573the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14574
14575@item
14576The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14577also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14578only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14579for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14580this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14581command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14582The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14583explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14584below.
14585@end itemize
14586
14587Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14588uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14589
14590@itemize @bullet
14591@item
14592For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14593the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14594directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14595directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14596directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14597
14598@item
14599For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14600@file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14601named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14602first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14603are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14604hex characters, not 10.)
14605@end itemize
14606
14607So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14608@file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14609file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14610@code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14611@file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14612debug information files, in the indicated order:
14613
14614@itemize @minus
14615@item
14616@file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14617@item
14618@file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14619@item
14620@file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14621@item
14622@file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14623@end itemize
14624
14625You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14626name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14627
14628@table @code
14629
14630@kindex set debug-file-directory
14631@item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14632Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14633information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14634concatenating them by a directory separator.
14635
14636@kindex show debug-file-directory
14637@item show debug-file-directory
14638Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14639information files.
14640
14641@end table
14642
14643@cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14644@cindex debug link sections
14645A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14646@code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14647
14648@itemize
14649@item
14650A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14651a zero byte,
14652@item
14653zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14654boundary within the section, and
14655@item
14656a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14657executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14658information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
14659zero as the @var{crc} argument.
14660@end itemize
14661
14662Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
14663contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
14664described above.
14665
14666@cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
14667@cindex build ID sections
14668The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
14669ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
14670often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
14671It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
14672the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
14673algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
14674content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
14675value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
14676stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
14677
14678The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
14679executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
14680debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
14681should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
14682but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
14683in an ordinary executable.
14684
14685The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
14686@samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
14687the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
14688following commands:
14689
14690@smallexample
14691@kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
14692@kbd{strip -g foo}
14693@end smallexample
14694
14695@noindent
14696These commands remove the debugging
14697information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
14698@file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
14699two files:
14700
14701@itemize @bullet
14702@item
14703The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
14704behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
14705
14706@smallexample
14707@kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
14708@end smallexample
14709
14710Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
14711a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
14712foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
14713the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
14714
14715@item
14716Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
14717the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
14718compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
14719utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
14720@end itemize
14721
14722@noindent
14723
14724@cindex CRC algorithm definition
14725The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
14726IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
14727
14728@c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
14729@c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
14730@c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
14731@c different ways!
14732@ifhtml
14733@display
14734@html
14735 <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>
14736 + <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
14737@end html
14738@end display
14739@end ifhtml
14740@ifnothtml
14741@display
14742 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
14743 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
14744@end display
14745@end ifnothtml
14746
14747The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
14748significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
14749@code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
14750the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
14751CRC.
14752
14753@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
14754@dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
14755, @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
14756case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
14757significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
14758zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
14759
14760To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
14761which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
14762initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
14763this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
14764@code{0xffffffff}.
14765
14766@kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
14767@smallexample
14768unsigned long
14769gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
14770 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
14771@{
14772 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
14773 @{
14774 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
14775 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
14776 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
14777 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
14778 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
14779 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
14780 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
14781 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
14782 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
14783 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
14784 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
14785 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
14786 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
14787 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
14788 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
14789 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
14790 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
14791 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
14792 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
14793 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
14794 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
14795 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
14796 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
14797 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
14798 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
14799 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
14800 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
14801 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
14802 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
14803 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
14804 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
14805 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
14806 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
14807 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
14808 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
14809 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
14810 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
14811 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
14812 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
14813 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
14814 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
14815 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
14816 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
14817 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
14818 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
14819 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
14820 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
14821 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
14822 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
14823 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
14824 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
14825 0x2d02ef8d
14826 @};
14827 unsigned char *end;
14828
14829 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14830 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
14831 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
14832 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14833@}
14834@end smallexample
14835
14836@noindent
14837This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
14838
14839
14840@node Symbol Errors
14841@section Errors Reading Symbol Files
14842
14843While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
14844such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
14845output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
14846they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
14847debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
14848about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
14849only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
14850times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
14851to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
14852complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14853Messages}).
14854
14855The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
14856
14857@table @code
14858@item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
14859
14860The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
14861(such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
14862error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
14863in its outer scope blocks.
14864
14865@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
14866the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
14867may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
14868function.
14869
14870@item block at @var{address} out of order
14871
14872The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
14873order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
14874do so.
14875
14876@value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
14877locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
14878can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
14879@code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14880Messages}.)
14881
14882@item bad block start address patched
14883
14884The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
14885smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
14886to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
14887
14888@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
14889starting on the previous source line.
14890
14891@item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
14892
14893@cindex foo
14894Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
14895larger than the size of the string table.
14896
14897@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
14898name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
14899with this name.
14900
14901@item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
14902
14903The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
14904not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
14905uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
14906
14907@value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
14908This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
14909are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
14910debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
14911on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
14912and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
14913
14914@item stub type has NULL name
14915
14916@value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
14917
14918@item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
14919The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
14920information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
14921it.
14922
14923@item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
14924
14925@value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
14926
14927@end table
14928
14929@node Data Files
14930@section GDB Data Files
14931
14932@cindex prefix for data files
14933@value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
14934are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
14935
14936You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
14937is currently using.
14938
14939@table @code
14940@kindex set data-directory
14941@item set data-directory @var{directory}
14942Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
14943to @var{directory}.
14944
14945@kindex show data-directory
14946@item show data-directory
14947Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
14948@end table
14949
14950@cindex default data directory
14951@cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
14952You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
14953@samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
14954@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14955@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
14956automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14957location.
14958
14959@node Targets
14960@chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
14961
14962@cindex debugging target
14963A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
14964
14965Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
14966in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
14967you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
14968flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
14969host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
14970realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
14971command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
14972(@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
14973
14974@cindex target architecture
14975It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
14976architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
14977one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
14978command.
14979
14980@table @code
14981@kindex set architecture
14982@kindex show architecture
14983@item set architecture @var{arch}
14984This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
14985value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
14986supported architectures.
14987
14988@item show architecture
14989Show the current target architecture.
14990
14991@item set processor
14992@itemx processor
14993@kindex set processor
14994@kindex show processor
14995These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
14996and @code{show architecture}.
14997@end table
14998
14999@menu
15000* Active Targets:: Active targets
15001* Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15002* Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15003@end menu
15004
15005@node Active Targets
15006@section Active Targets
15007
15008@cindex stacking targets
15009@cindex active targets
15010@cindex multiple targets
15011
15012There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
15013executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
15014active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
15015start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
15016a core file.
15017
15018For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
15019@code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
15020well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
15021@value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
15022first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
15023requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
15024are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
15025read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
15026executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
15027
15028When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
15029target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
15030commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
15031an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
15032process target is active.
15033
15034Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
15035core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
15036Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
15037the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
15038Process}).
15039
15040@node Target Commands
15041@section Commands for Managing Targets
15042
15043@table @code
15044@item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15045Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15046process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15047facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15048protocol of the target machine.
15049
15050Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15051typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15052with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15053
15054The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15055after executing the command.
15056
15057@kindex help target
15058@item help target
15059Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15060currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15061(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15062
15063@item help target @var{name}
15064Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15065select it.
15066
15067@kindex set gnutarget
15068@item set gnutarget @var{args}
15069@value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15070knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15071a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15072with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15073with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15074
15075@quotation
15076@emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15077you must know the actual BFD name.
15078@end quotation
15079
15080@noindent
15081@xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15082
15083@kindex show gnutarget
15084@item show gnutarget
15085Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15086@code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15087@value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15088and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15089@end table
15090
15091@cindex common targets
15092Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15093configuration):
15094
15095@table @code
15096@kindex target
15097@item target exec @var{program}
15098@cindex executable file target
15099An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15100@samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15101
15102@item target core @var{filename}
15103@cindex core dump file target
15104A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15105@samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15106
15107@item target remote @var{medium}
15108@cindex remote target
15109A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15110connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15111protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15112
15113For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15114machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15115
15116@smallexample
15117target remote /dev/ttya
15118@end smallexample
15119
15120@code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15121useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15122system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15123clobbered by the download.
15124
15125@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15126@cindex built-in simulator target
15127Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15128In general,
15129@smallexample
15130 target sim
15131 load
15132 run
15133@end smallexample
15134@noindent
15135works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15136drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15137provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15138see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15139Processors}.
15140
15141@end table
15142
15143Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15144
15145@table @code
15146
15147@item target nrom @var{dev}
15148@cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15149NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15150
15151@end table
15152
15153Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15154your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15155
15156Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15157you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15158various aspects of this process.
15159
15160@table @code
15161
15162@item set hash
15163@kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15164@cindex hash mark while downloading
15165This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15166downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15167displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15168monitor.
15169
15170@item show hash
15171@kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15172Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15173
15174@item set debug monitor
15175@kindex set debug monitor
15176@cindex display remote monitor communications
15177Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15178@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15179
15180@item show debug monitor
15181@kindex show debug monitor
15182Show the current status of displaying communications between
15183@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15184@end table
15185
15186@table @code
15187
15188@kindex load @var{filename}
15189@item load @var{filename}
15190@anchor{load}
15191Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15192@value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15193is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15194on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15195@code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15196the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15197
15198If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15199execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15200target is @dots{}}''
15201
15202The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15203For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15204link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15205specifies a fixed address.
15206@c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15207
15208Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15209load programs into flash memory.
15210
15211@code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15212@end table
15213
15214@node Byte Order
15215@section Choosing Target Byte Order
15216
15217@cindex choosing target byte order
15218@cindex target byte order
15219
15220Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15221offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15222orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15223designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15224which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15225@value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15226
15227@table @code
15228@kindex set endian
15229@item set endian big
15230Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15231
15232@item set endian little
15233Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15234
15235@item set endian auto
15236Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15237executable.
15238
15239@item show endian
15240Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15241
15242@end table
15243
15244Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15245data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15246target system.
15247
15248
15249@node Remote Debugging
15250@chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15251@cindex remote debugging
15252
15253If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15254@value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15255For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15256or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15257powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15258
15259Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15260to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15261@value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15262but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15263write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15264communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15265
15266Other remote targets may be available in your
15267configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15268
15269@menu
15270* Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15271* File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15272* Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15273* Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15274* Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15275@end menu
15276
15277@node Connecting
15278@section Connecting to a Remote Target
15279
15280On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15281your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15282Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15283program as the first argument.
15284
15285@cindex @code{target remote}
15286@value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15287over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15288each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15289program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15290@code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15291Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15292
15293@table @code
15294
15295@item target remote @var{serial-device}
15296@cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15297Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15298to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15299
15300@smallexample
15301target remote /dev/ttyb
15302@end smallexample
15303
15304If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15305@w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15306(@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15307@code{target} command.
15308
15309@item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15310@itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15311@cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15312Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15313The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15314address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15315the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15316it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15317target.
15318
15319For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15320@code{manyfarms}:
15321
15322@smallexample
15323target remote manyfarms:2828
15324@end smallexample
15325
15326If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15327debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15328same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15329port 1234 on your local machine:
15330
15331@smallexample
15332target remote :1234
15333@end smallexample
15334@noindent
15335
15336Note that the colon is still required here.
15337
15338@item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15339@cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15340Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15341connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15342
15343@smallexample
15344target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15345@end smallexample
15346
15347When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15348keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15349can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15350cause havoc with your debugging session.
15351
15352@item target remote | @var{command}
15353@cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15354Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15355pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15356by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15357protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15358standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15359that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15360using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15361
15362If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15363@value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15364program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15365
15366@end table
15367
15368Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15369commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15370running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15371need to use @kbd{run}.
15372
15373@cindex interrupting remote programs
15374@cindex remote programs, interrupting
15375Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15376interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
15377program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
15378and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
15379interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
15380
15381@smallexample
15382Interrupted while waiting for the program.
15383Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
15384@end smallexample
15385
15386If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
15387(If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
15388remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
15389goes back to waiting.
15390
15391@table @code
15392@kindex detach (remote)
15393@item detach
15394When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
15395@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
15396Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
15397will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
15398command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
15399
15400@kindex disconnect
15401@item disconnect
15402The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
15403the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
15404(this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
15405the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
15406another target.
15407
15408@cindex send command to remote monitor
15409@cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
15410@cindex add new commands for external monitor
15411@kindex monitor
15412@item monitor @var{cmd}
15413This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
15414remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
15415sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
15416can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
15417and implement.
15418@end table
15419
15420@node File Transfer
15421@section Sending files to a remote system
15422@cindex remote target, file transfer
15423@cindex file transfer
15424@cindex sending files to remote systems
15425
15426Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
15427connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
15428for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
15429running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
15430e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
15431the only way to upload or download files.
15432
15433Not all remote targets support these commands.
15434
15435@table @code
15436@kindex remote put
15437@item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
15438Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
15439@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
15440
15441@kindex remote get
15442@item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
15443Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
15444on the host system.
15445
15446@kindex remote delete
15447@item remote delete @var{targetfile}
15448Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
15449
15450@end table
15451
15452@node Server
15453@section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
15454
15455@kindex gdbserver
15456@cindex remote connection without stubs
15457@code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
15458allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
15459@code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
15460
15461@code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
15462because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
15463that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
15464@code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
15465@value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
15466because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
15467also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
15468started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15469Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15470the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15471do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15472by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15473choice for debugging.
15474
15475@value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15476or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15477protocol.
15478
15479@quotation
15480@emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15481Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15482@value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15483target system with the same privileges as the user running
15484@code{gdbserver}.
15485@end quotation
15486
15487@subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15488@cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15489
15490Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15491program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15492@code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15493strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15494system does all the symbol handling.
15495
15496To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15497the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15498syntax is:
15499
15500@smallexample
15501target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15502@end smallexample
15503
15504@var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15505hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15506@samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15507@file{/dev/com1}:
15508
15509@smallexample
15510target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15511@end smallexample
15512
15513@code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15514with it.
15515
15516To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15517
15518@smallexample
15519target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15520@end smallexample
15521
15522The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15523specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15524TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15525expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15526(Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15527you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15528TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15529reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15530conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15531and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15532@code{target remote} command.
15533
15534@subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15535
15536On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15537This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15538
15539@smallexample
15540target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15541@end smallexample
15542
15543@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15544to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15545
15546@pindex pidof
15547@cindex attach to a program by name
15548You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15549@code{pidof} utility:
15550
15551@smallexample
15552target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15553@end smallexample
15554
15555In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15556has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15557@code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15558
15559@subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15560@cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15561@cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15562
15563When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15564@code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15565program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15566and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15567
15568If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15569enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15570detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15571though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15572commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15573The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15574remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15575arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15576redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15577
15578To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15579or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15580Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15581the program you want to debug.
15582
15583@code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15584You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15585(@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15586
15587@subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15588
15589The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15590status information about the debugging process. The
15591@option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15592remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15593@code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15594
15595The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15596for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15597wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15598@kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15599
15600@code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15601command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15602program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15603runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15604
15605You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15606its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15607this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15608with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15609
15610For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15611the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15612environment:
15613
15614@smallexample
15615$ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15616@end smallexample
15617
15618@subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15619
15620Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15621
15622First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15623your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15624@code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15625was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15626
15627The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15628and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15629system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15630are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15631during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15632files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15633programs.
15634
15635Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15636For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15637the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15638text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15639@samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15640command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15641already on the target.
15642
15643@subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15644@cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15645@anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15646
15647During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15648@code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15649Here are the available commands.
15650
15651@table @code
15652@item monitor help
15653List the available monitor commands.
15654
15655@item monitor set debug 0
15656@itemx monitor set debug 1
15657Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15658
15659@item monitor set remote-debug 0
15660@itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
15661Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
15662protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
15663
15664@item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
15665@cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
15666When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15667directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
15668libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
15669@samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
15670
15671@item monitor exit
15672Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
15673@code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
15674detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
15675Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
15676of a multi-process mode debug session.
15677
15678@end table
15679
15680@node Remote Configuration
15681@section Remote Configuration
15682
15683@kindex set remote
15684@kindex show remote
15685This section documents the configuration options available when
15686debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
15687extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
15688system-call-allowed}.
15689
15690@table @code
15691@item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
15692@cindex address size for remote targets
15693@cindex bits in remote address
15694Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
15695number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
15696that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
15697default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
15698
15699@item show remoteaddresssize
15700Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
15701
15702@item set remotebaud @var{n}
15703@cindex baud rate for remote targets
15704Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
15705value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
15706remote targets.
15707
15708@item show remotebaud
15709Show the current speed of the remote connection.
15710
15711@item set remotebreak
15712@cindex interrupt remote programs
15713@cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
15714@anchor{set remotebreak}
15715If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
15716when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
15717on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
15718character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
15719expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
15720
15721@item show remotebreak
15722Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
15723interrupt the remote program.
15724
15725@item set remoteflow on
15726@itemx set remoteflow off
15727@kindex set remoteflow
15728Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
15729on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
15730
15731@item show remoteflow
15732@kindex show remoteflow
15733Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
15734
15735@item set remotelogbase @var{base}
15736Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
15737communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
15738@code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
15739@code{ascii}.
15740
15741@item show remotelogbase
15742Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
15743protocol.
15744
15745@item set remotelogfile @var{file}
15746@cindex record serial communications on file
15747Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
15748default is not to record at all.
15749
15750@item show remotelogfile.
15751Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
15752serial communications.
15753
15754@item set remotetimeout @var{num}
15755@cindex timeout for serial communications
15756@cindex remote timeout
15757Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
15758@var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
15759
15760@item show remotetimeout
15761Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
15762responses.
15763
15764@cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
15765@cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
15766@anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
15767@anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
15768@item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
15769@itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
15770Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
15771watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
15772
15773@item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
15774@itemx show remote exec-file
15775@anchor{set remote exec-file}
15776@cindex executable file, for remote target
15777Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
15778extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
15779target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
15780filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
15781
15782@item set remote interrupt-sequence
15783@cindex interrupt remote programs
15784@cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
15785Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
15786@samp{BREAK-g} as the
15787sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
15788@samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
15789is high level of serial line for some certain time.
15790Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
15791It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
15792
15793@item show interrupt-sequence
15794Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
15795is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
15796@code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
15797also known as Magic SysRq g.
15798
15799@item set remote interrupt-on-connect
15800@cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
15801Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
15802@value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
15803Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
15804which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
15805
15806@item show interrupt-on-connect
15807Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
15808to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
15809
15810@kindex set tcp
15811@kindex show tcp
15812@item set tcp auto-retry on
15813@cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
15814Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
15815debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
15816condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
15817before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
15818enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
15819to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
15820@code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
15821
15822@item set tcp auto-retry off
15823Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
15824
15825@item show tcp auto-retry
15826Show the current auto-retry setting.
15827
15828@item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
15829@cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
15830@cindex timeout, for remote target connection
15831Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
15832@var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
15833(enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
15834that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
15835value.
15836
15837@item show tcp connect-timeout
15838Show the current connection timeout setting.
15839@end table
15840
15841@cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
15842The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
15843your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
15844can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
15845packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
15846packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
15847or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
15848all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
15849see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
15850
15851During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
15852If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
15853in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
15854@value{GDBN} developers.
15855
15856For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
15857packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
15858are:
15859
15860@multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
15861@item Command Name
15862@tab Remote Packet
15863@tab Related Features
15864
15865@item @code{fetch-register}
15866@tab @code{p}
15867@tab @code{info registers}
15868
15869@item @code{set-register}
15870@tab @code{P}
15871@tab @code{set}
15872
15873@item @code{binary-download}
15874@tab @code{X}
15875@tab @code{load}, @code{set}
15876
15877@item @code{read-aux-vector}
15878@tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
15879@tab @code{info auxv}
15880
15881@item @code{symbol-lookup}
15882@tab @code{qSymbol}
15883@tab Detecting multiple threads
15884
15885@item @code{attach}
15886@tab @code{vAttach}
15887@tab @code{attach}
15888
15889@item @code{verbose-resume}
15890@tab @code{vCont}
15891@tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
15892
15893@item @code{run}
15894@tab @code{vRun}
15895@tab @code{run}
15896
15897@item @code{software-breakpoint}
15898@tab @code{Z0}
15899@tab @code{break}
15900
15901@item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
15902@tab @code{Z1}
15903@tab @code{hbreak}
15904
15905@item @code{write-watchpoint}
15906@tab @code{Z2}
15907@tab @code{watch}
15908
15909@item @code{read-watchpoint}
15910@tab @code{Z3}
15911@tab @code{rwatch}
15912
15913@item @code{access-watchpoint}
15914@tab @code{Z4}
15915@tab @code{awatch}
15916
15917@item @code{target-features}
15918@tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
15919@tab @code{set architecture}
15920
15921@item @code{library-info}
15922@tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
15923@tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
15924
15925@item @code{memory-map}
15926@tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
15927@tab @code{info mem}
15928
15929@item @code{read-spu-object}
15930@tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
15931@tab @code{info spu}
15932
15933@item @code{write-spu-object}
15934@tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
15935@tab @code{info spu}
15936
15937@item @code{read-siginfo-object}
15938@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
15939@tab @code{print $_siginfo}
15940
15941@item @code{write-siginfo-object}
15942@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
15943@tab @code{set $_siginfo}
15944
15945@item @code{threads}
15946@tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
15947@tab @code{info threads}
15948
15949@item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
15950@tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
15951@tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
15952
15953@item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
15954@tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
15955@tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
15956
15957@item @code{search-memory}
15958@tab @code{qSearch:memory}
15959@tab @code{find}
15960
15961@item @code{supported-packets}
15962@tab @code{qSupported}
15963@tab Remote communications parameters
15964
15965@item @code{pass-signals}
15966@tab @code{QPassSignals}
15967@tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
15968
15969@item @code{hostio-close-packet}
15970@tab @code{vFile:close}
15971@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15972
15973@item @code{hostio-open-packet}
15974@tab @code{vFile:open}
15975@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15976
15977@item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
15978@tab @code{vFile:pread}
15979@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15980
15981@item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
15982@tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
15983@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15984
15985@item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
15986@tab @code{vFile:unlink}
15987@tab @code{remote delete}
15988
15989@item @code{noack-packet}
15990@tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
15991@tab Packet acknowledgment
15992
15993@item @code{osdata}
15994@tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
15995@tab @code{info os}
15996
15997@item @code{query-attached}
15998@tab @code{qAttached}
15999@tab Querying remote process attach state.
16000@end multitable
16001
16002@node Remote Stub
16003@section Implementing a Remote Stub
16004
16005@cindex debugging stub, example
16006@cindex remote stub, example
16007@cindex stub example, remote debugging
16008The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16009communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16010@value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16011these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16012implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16013with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16014organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16015
16016@cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16017To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16018@dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16019prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16020program, you need:
16021
16022@enumerate
16023@item
16024A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16025have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16026your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16027
16028@item
16029A C subroutine library to support your program's
16030subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16031
16032@item
16033A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16034download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16035manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16036documentation.
16037@end enumerate
16038
16039The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16040communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16041machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16042
16043@table @emph
16044@item On the host,
16045@value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16046else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16047(@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16048
16049@item On the target,
16050you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16051implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16052subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16053
16054On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16055@code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16056@xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16057@end table
16058
16059The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16060machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16061@sc{sparc} boards.
16062
16063@cindex remote serial stub list
16064These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16065
16066@table @code
16067
16068@item i386-stub.c
16069@cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16070@cindex Intel
16071@cindex i386
16072For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16073
16074@item m68k-stub.c
16075@cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16076@cindex Motorola 680x0
16077@cindex m680x0
16078For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16079
16080@item sh-stub.c
16081@cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16082@cindex Renesas
16083@cindex SH
16084For Renesas SH architectures.
16085
16086@item sparc-stub.c
16087@cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16088@cindex Sparc
16089For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16090
16091@item sparcl-stub.c
16092@cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16093@cindex Fujitsu
16094@cindex SparcLite
16095For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16096
16097@end table
16098
16099The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16100recently added stubs.
16101
16102@menu
16103* Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16104* Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16105* Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16106@end menu
16107
16108@node Stub Contents
16109@subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16110
16111@cindex remote serial stub
16112The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16113subroutines:
16114
16115@table @code
16116@item set_debug_traps
16117@findex set_debug_traps
16118@cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16119This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16120program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16121beginning of your program.
16122
16123@item handle_exception
16124@findex handle_exception
16125@cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16126This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16127explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16128run when a trap is triggered.
16129
16130@code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16131execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16132with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16133protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16134representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16135information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16136retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16137execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16138@code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16139machine.
16140
16141@item breakpoint
16142@cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16143Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16144breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16145way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16146machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16147pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16148@code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16149simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16150again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16151your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16152@value{GDBN} session gets control.
16153
16154Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16155to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16156start of your debugging session.
16157@end table
16158
16159@node Bootstrapping
16160@subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16161
16162@cindex remote stub, support routines
16163The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16164chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16165debugging target machine.
16166
16167First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16168serial port.
16169
16170@table @code
16171@item int getDebugChar()
16172@findex getDebugChar
16173Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16174It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16175different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16176
16177@item void putDebugChar(int)
16178@findex putDebugChar
16179Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16180It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16181different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16182@end table
16183
16184@cindex control C, and remote debugging
16185@cindex interrupting remote targets
16186If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16187running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16188for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16189character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16190remote system to stop.
16191
16192Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16193probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16194is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16195@value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16196
16197Other routines you need to supply are:
16198
16199@table @code
16200@item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16201@findex exceptionHandler
16202Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16203handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16204way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16205are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16206containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16207@var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16208its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16209might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16210exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16211@var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16212and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16213you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16214should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16215
16216For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16217gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16218should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16219@sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16220help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16221
16222@item void flush_i_cache()
16223@findex flush_i_cache
16224On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16225instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16226instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16227
16228On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16229function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16230@end table
16231
16232@noindent
16233You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16234
16235@table @code
16236@item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16237@findex memset
16238This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16239memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16240@code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16241either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16242@end table
16243
16244If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16245library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16246but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16247subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16248
16249
16250@node Debug Session
16251@subsection Putting it All Together
16252
16253@cindex remote serial debugging summary
16254In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16255steps.
16256
16257@enumerate
16258@item
16259Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16260(@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16261@display
16262@code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16263@code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16264@end display
16265
16266@item
16267Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16268
16269@smallexample
16270set_debug_traps();
16271breakpoint();
16272@end smallexample
16273
16274@item
16275For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
16276@code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
16277
16278@smallexample
16279void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
16280@end smallexample
16281
16282@noindent
16283but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
16284function in your program, that function is called when
16285@code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
16286error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
16287one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
16288
16289@item
16290Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
16291your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
16292
16293@item
16294Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
16295the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
16296
16297@item
16298@c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
16299@c document that. FIXME.
16300Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
16301whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
16302
16303@item
16304Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
16305(@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16306
16307@end enumerate
16308
16309@node Configurations
16310@chapter Configuration-Specific Information
16311
16312While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
16313cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
16314describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
16315
16316There are three major categories of configurations: native
16317configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
16318operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
16319different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
16320are quite different from each other.
16321
16322@menu
16323* Native::
16324* Embedded OS::
16325* Embedded Processors::
16326* Architectures::
16327@end menu
16328
16329@node Native
16330@section Native
16331
16332This section describes details specific to particular native
16333configurations.
16334
16335@menu
16336* HP-UX:: HP-UX
16337* BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
16338* SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
16339* DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
16340* Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
16341* Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
16342* Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
16343* Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
16344@end menu
16345
16346@node HP-UX
16347@subsection HP-UX
16348
16349On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
16350begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
16351name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
16352
16353
16354@node BSD libkvm Interface
16355@subsection BSD libkvm Interface
16356
16357@cindex libkvm
16358@cindex kernel memory image
16359@cindex kernel crash dump
16360
16361BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
16362interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
16363memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
16364uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
16365dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
16366special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
16367the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
16368@code{kvm} target:
16369
16370@smallexample
16371(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
16372@end smallexample
16373
16374For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
16375argument:
16376
16377@smallexample
16378(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
16379@end smallexample
16380
16381Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
16382available:
16383
16384@table @code
16385@kindex kvm
16386@item kvm pcb
16387Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
16388
16389@item kvm proc
16390Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
16391modern FreeBSD systems.
16392@end table
16393
16394@node SVR4 Process Information
16395@subsection SVR4 Process Information
16396@cindex /proc
16397@cindex examine process image
16398@cindex process info via @file{/proc}
16399
16400Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
16401@samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
16402process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
16403for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
16404proc} is available to report information about the process running
16405your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
16406proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
16407This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
16408Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
16409
16410@table @code
16411@kindex info proc
16412@cindex process ID
16413@item info proc
16414@itemx info proc @var{process-id}
16415Summarize available information about any running process. If a
16416process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
16417that process; otherwise display information about the program being
16418debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
16419line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
16420executable file's absolute file name.
16421
16422On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
16423@samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
16424within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
16425a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
16426needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
16427a process ID rather than a thread ID).
16428
16429@item info proc mappings
16430@cindex memory address space mappings
16431Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
16432information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
16433rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
16434includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
16435memory access rights to that range.
16436
16437@item info proc stat
16438@itemx info proc status
16439@cindex process detailed status information
16440These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
16441the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
16442how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
16443the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
16444consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
16445value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
16446(type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
16447
16448@item info proc all
16449Show all the information about the process described under all of the
16450above @code{info proc} subcommands.
16451
16452@ignore
16453@comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
16454@comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
16455@comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
16456@kindex info proc times
16457@item info proc times
16458Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
16459its children.
16460
16461@kindex info proc id
16462@item info proc id
16463Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
16464the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
16465@end ignore
16466
16467@item set procfs-trace
16468@kindex set procfs-trace
16469@cindex @code{procfs} API calls
16470This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
16471
16472@item show procfs-trace
16473@kindex show procfs-trace
16474Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
16475
16476@item set procfs-file @var{file}
16477@kindex set procfs-file
16478Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16479@var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16480contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16481standard output.
16482
16483@item show procfs-file
16484@kindex show procfs-file
16485Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16486
16487@item proc-trace-entry
16488@itemx proc-trace-exit
16489@itemx proc-untrace-entry
16490@itemx proc-untrace-exit
16491@kindex proc-trace-entry
16492@kindex proc-trace-exit
16493@kindex proc-untrace-entry
16494@kindex proc-untrace-exit
16495These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16496from the @code{syscall} interface.
16497
16498@item info pidlist
16499@kindex info pidlist
16500@cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16501For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16502processes and all the threads within each process.
16503
16504@item info meminfo
16505@kindex info meminfo
16506@cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16507For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16508@end table
16509
16510@node DJGPP Native
16511@subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16512@cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16513@cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16514@cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16515
16516@cindex DPMI
16517@sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16518MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16519that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16520top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16521
16522@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16523defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16524subsection describes those commands.
16525
16526@table @code
16527@kindex info dos
16528@item info dos
16529This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16530information about the target system and important OS structures.
16531
16532@kindex sysinfo
16533@cindex MS-DOS system info
16534@cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16535@item info dos sysinfo
16536This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16537platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16538DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16539
16540@cindex GDT
16541@cindex LDT
16542@cindex IDT
16543@cindex segment descriptor tables
16544@cindex descriptor tables display
16545@item info dos gdt
16546@itemx info dos ldt
16547@itemx info dos idt
16548These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16549and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16550tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16551that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16552descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16553descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16554rights.
16555
16556A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16557segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16558allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16559conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16560additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16561
16562@cindex garbled pointers
16563These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16564Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16565displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16566display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16567example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16568debugged program's data segment:
16569
16570@smallexample
16571@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
16572@exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
16573@end smallexample
16574
16575@noindent
16576This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
16577the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
16578
16579@cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
16580@item info dos pde
16581@itemx info dos pte
16582These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
16583Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
16584data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
16585into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
16586page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
16587may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
16588Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
16589that is currently in use.
16590
16591Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
16592Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
16593the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
16594@kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
16595Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
16596means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
16597the specified entry in the Page Directory.
16598
16599@cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
16600These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
16601Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
16602controller.
16603
16604These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
16605
16606@cindex physical address from linear address
16607@item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
16608This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
16609address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
16610already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
16611because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
16612segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
16613the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
16614
16615@smallexample
16616@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
16617@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
16618@exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
16619@end smallexample
16620
16621@noindent
16622This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
16623whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
16624attributes of that page.
16625
16626Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
16627since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
16628address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
16629be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
16630declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
16631@code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
16632
16633Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
16634transfer buffer:
16635
16636@smallexample
16637@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
16638@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
16639@exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
16640@end smallexample
16641
16642@noindent
16643(The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
166443rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
16645clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
16646memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
16647linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
16648
16649This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
16650@end table
16651
16652@cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
16653In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
16654debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
16655to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
16656
16657@table @code
16658@kindex set com1base
16659@kindex set com1irq
16660@kindex set com2base
16661@kindex set com2irq
16662@kindex set com3base
16663@kindex set com3irq
16664@kindex set com4base
16665@kindex set com4irq
16666@item set com1base @var{addr}
16667This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
16668port.
16669
16670@item set com1irq @var{irq}
16671This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
16672for the @file{COM1} serial port.
16673
16674There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
16675etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
16676other 3 COM ports.
16677
16678@kindex show com1base
16679@kindex show com1irq
16680@kindex show com2base
16681@kindex show com2irq
16682@kindex show com3base
16683@kindex show com3irq
16684@kindex show com4base
16685@kindex show com4irq
16686The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
16687display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
16688lines used by the COM ports.
16689
16690@item info serial
16691@kindex info serial
16692@cindex DOS serial port status
16693This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
16694port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
16695IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
16696counts of various errors encountered so far.
16697@end table
16698
16699
16700@node Cygwin Native
16701@subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
16702@cindex MS Windows debugging
16703@cindex native Cygwin debugging
16704@cindex Cygwin-specific commands
16705
16706@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
16707DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
16708
16709@cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
16710@cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
16711MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
16712special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
16713by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
16714supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
16715sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
16716ignores @kbd{C-c}.
16717
16718There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
16719this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
16720described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
16721
16722@table @code
16723@kindex info w32
16724@item info w32
16725This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
16726information about the target system and important OS structures.
16727
16728@item info w32 selector
16729This command displays information returned by
16730the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
16731It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
16732a long value to give the information about this given selector.
16733Without argument, this command displays information
16734about the six segment registers.
16735
16736@item info w32 thread-information-block
16737This command displays thread specific information stored in the
16738Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
16739selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
16740
16741@kindex info dll
16742@item info dll
16743This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
16744
16745@kindex dll-symbols
16746@item dll-symbols
16747This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
16748add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
16749
16750@kindex set cygwin-exceptions
16751@cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
16752@cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
16753@item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
16754If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
16755happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
16756@value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
16757exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
16758``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
16759Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
16760@value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
16761
16762@kindex show cygwin-exceptions
16763@item show cygwin-exceptions
16764Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
16765inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
16766
16767@kindex set new-console
16768@item set new-console @var{mode}
16769If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
16770be started in a new console on next start.
16771If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
16772be started in the same console as the debugger.
16773
16774@kindex show new-console
16775@item show new-console
16776Displays whether a new console is used
16777when the debuggee is started.
16778
16779@kindex set new-group
16780@item set new-group @var{mode}
16781This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
16782start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
16783This affects the way the Windows OS handles
16784@samp{Ctrl-C}.
16785
16786@kindex show new-group
16787@item show new-group
16788Displays current value of new-group boolean.
16789
16790@kindex set debugevents
16791@item set debugevents
16792This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
16793to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
16794signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
16795unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
16796Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
16797
16798@kindex set debugexec
16799@item set debugexec
16800This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
16801(such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
16802
16803@kindex set debugexceptions
16804@item set debugexceptions
16805This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
16806debuggee seen by the debugger.
16807
16808@kindex set debugmemory
16809@item set debugmemory
16810This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
16811and writes by the debugger.
16812
16813@kindex set shell
16814@item set shell
16815This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
16816via a shell or directly (default value is on).
16817
16818@kindex show shell
16819@item show shell
16820Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
16821
16822@end table
16823
16824@menu
16825* Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
16826@end menu
16827
16828@node Non-debug DLL Symbols
16829@subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
16830@cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
16831@cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
16832
16833Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
16834not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
16835@file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
16836symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
16837information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
16838describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
16839``minimal symbols''.
16840
16841Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
16842will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
16843start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
16844program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
16845@value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
16846see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
16847@code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
16848explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
16849cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
16850which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
16851
16852@subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
16853
16854In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
16855tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
16856DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
16857also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
16858sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
16859(particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
16860necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
16861contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
16862exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
16863
16864Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
16865though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
16866symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
16867some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
16868@code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
16869(@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
16870
16871@smallexample
16872(@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
16873All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
16874
16875Non-debugging symbols:
168760x77e885f4 CreateFileA
168770x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
16878@end smallexample
16879
16880@smallexample
16881(@value{GDBP}) info function !
16882All functions matching regular expression "!":
16883
16884Non-debugging symbols:
168850x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
168860x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
168870x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
16888[etc...]
16889@end smallexample
16890
16891@subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
16892
16893Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
16894type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
16895refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
16896contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
16897contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
16898means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
16899a function within a DLL without a running program.
16900
16901Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
16902automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
16903variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
16904type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
16905problem:
16906
16907@smallexample
16908(@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
16909$1 = 268572168
16910@end smallexample
16911
16912@smallexample
16913(@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
169140x10021610: "\230y\""
16915@end smallexample
16916
16917And two possible solutions:
16918
16919@smallexample
16920(@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
16921$2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16922@end smallexample
16923
16924@smallexample
16925(@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
169260x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
16927(@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
169280x10021608: 0x0022fd98
16929(@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
169300x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16931@end smallexample
16932
16933Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
16934starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
16935examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
16936function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
16937to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
16938
16939@smallexample
16940(@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
16941Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
16942@end smallexample
16943
16944The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
16945break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
16946safe.
16947
16948@node Hurd Native
16949@subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
16950@cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
16951
16952This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
16953@sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
16954
16955@table @code
16956@item set signals
16957@itemx set sigs
16958@kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
16959@kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16960This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
16961@value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
16962affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
16963@code{signals}.
16964
16965@item show signals
16966@itemx show sigs
16967@kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
16968@kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16969Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
16970
16971@item set signal-thread
16972@itemx set sigthread
16973@kindex set signal-thread
16974@kindex set sigthread
16975This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
16976thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
16977process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
16978signal-thread}.
16979
16980@item show signal-thread
16981@itemx show sigthread
16982@kindex show signal-thread
16983@kindex show sigthread
16984These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
16985delivered a signal.
16986
16987@item set stopped
16988@kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16989This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
16990as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
16991continued by delivering a signal to it.
16992
16993@item show stopped
16994@kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16995This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
16996stopped.
16997
16998@item set exceptions
16999@kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17000Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17001When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17002single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17003trapping on.
17004
17005@item show exceptions
17006@kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17007Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17008
17009@item set task pause
17010@kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17011@cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17012@cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17013This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17014Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17015whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17016effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17017to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17018thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17019
17020@item show task pause
17021@kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17022Show the current state of task suspension.
17023
17024@item set task detach-suspend-count
17025@cindex task suspend count
17026@cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17027This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17028@value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17029
17030@item show task detach-suspend-count
17031Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17032
17033@item set task exception-port
17034@itemx set task excp
17035@cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17036This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17037forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17038rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17039
17040@item set noninvasive
17041@cindex noninvasive task options
17042This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17043invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17044is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17045@code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17046
17047@item info send-rights
17048@itemx info receive-rights
17049@itemx info port-rights
17050@itemx info port-sets
17051@itemx info dead-names
17052@itemx info ports
17053@itemx info psets
17054@cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17055@cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17056@cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17057@cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17058@cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17059These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17060receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17061There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17062port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17063
17064@item set thread pause
17065@kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17066@cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17067@cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17068This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17069control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17070thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17071off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17072Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17073control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17074task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17075only the current thread.
17076
17077@item show thread pause
17078@kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17079This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17080
17081@item set thread run
17082This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17083
17084@item show thread run
17085Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17086
17087@item set thread detach-suspend-count
17088@cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17089@cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17090This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17091thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17092found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17093takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17094
17095@item show thread detach-suspend-count
17096Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17097detaching.
17098
17099@item set thread exception-port
17100@itemx set thread excp
17101Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17102overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17103@code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17104
17105@item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17106Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17107value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17108changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17109
17110@item set thread default
17111@itemx show thread default
17112@cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17113Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17114default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17115thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17116variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17117threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17118the non-default commands.
17119@end table
17120
17121
17122@node Neutrino
17123@subsection QNX Neutrino
17124@cindex QNX Neutrino
17125
17126@value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17127Neutrino target:
17128
17129@table @code
17130@item set debug nto-debug
17131@kindex set debug nto-debug
17132When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17133Neutrino support.
17134
17135@item show debug nto-debug
17136@kindex show debug nto-debug
17137Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17138@end table
17139
17140@node Darwin
17141@subsection Darwin
17142@cindex Darwin
17143
17144@value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17145
17146@table @code
17147@item set debug darwin @var{num}
17148@kindex set debug darwin
17149When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17150the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17151
17152@item show debug darwin
17153@kindex show debug darwin
17154Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17155
17156@item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17157@kindex set debug mach-o
17158When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17159@value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17160file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17161values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17162problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17163usage.
17164
17165@item show debug mach-o
17166@kindex show debug mach-o
17167Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17168
17169@item set mach-exceptions on
17170@itemx set mach-exceptions off
17171@kindex set mach-exceptions
17172On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17173mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17174Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17175better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17176
17177@item show mach-exceptions
17178@kindex show mach-exceptions
17179Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17180@end table
17181
17182
17183@node Embedded OS
17184@section Embedded Operating Systems
17185
17186This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17187embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17188architectures.
17189
17190@menu
17191* VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17192@end menu
17193
17194@value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17195various real-time operating systems.
17196
17197@node VxWorks
17198@subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17199
17200@cindex VxWorks
17201
17202@table @code
17203
17204@kindex target vxworks
17205@item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17206A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17207is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17208
17209@end table
17210
17211On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17212current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17213
17214@value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17215VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17216the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17217both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17218@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17219installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17220@value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17221
17222@table @code
17223@item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17224@kindex vxworks-timeout
17225All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17226This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17227seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17228your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17229of a thin network line.
17230@end table
17231
17232The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17233this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17234procedures.
17235
17236@findex INCLUDE_RDB
17237To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17238to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17239library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17240VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17241kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17242source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17243information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17244manual.
17245@c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17246
17247Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17248your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17249run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17250@code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17251
17252@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17253
17254@smallexample
17255(vxgdb)
17256@end smallexample
17257
17258@menu
17259* VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17260* VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17261* VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17262@end menu
17263
17264@node VxWorks Connection
17265@subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17266
17267The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17268network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17269
17270@smallexample
17271(vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17272@end smallexample
17273
17274@need 750
17275@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17276
17277@smallexample
17278Attaching remote machine across net...
17279Connected to tt.
17280@end smallexample
17281
17282@need 1000
17283@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
17284loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
17285these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
17286path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
17287to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
17288
17289@smallexample
17290prog.o: No such file or directory.
17291@end smallexample
17292
17293When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
17294the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
17295command again.
17296
17297@node VxWorks Download
17298@subsubsection VxWorks Download
17299
17300@cindex download to VxWorks
17301If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
17302object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
17303@code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
17304incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
17305command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
17306to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
17307table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
17308the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
17309filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
17310Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
17311to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
17312the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
17313@file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
17314and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
17315program, type this on VxWorks:
17316
17317@smallexample
17318-> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
17319@end smallexample
17320
17321@noindent
17322Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17323
17324@smallexample
17325(vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
17326(vxgdb) load prog.o
17327@end smallexample
17328
17329@value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
17330
17331@smallexample
17332Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
17333@end smallexample
17334
17335You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
17336after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
17337this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
17338auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
17339history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
17340debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
17341table.)
17342
17343@node VxWorks Attach
17344@subsubsection Running Tasks
17345
17346@cindex running VxWorks tasks
17347You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
17348follows:
17349
17350@smallexample
17351(vxgdb) attach @var{task}
17352@end smallexample
17353
17354@noindent
17355where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
17356or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
17357the time of attachment.
17358
17359@node Embedded Processors
17360@section Embedded Processors
17361
17362This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
17363configurations.
17364
17365@cindex send command to simulator
17366Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
17367allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
17368
17369@table @code
17370@item sim @var{command}
17371@kindex sim@r{, a command}
17372Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
17373documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
17374acceptable commands.
17375@end table
17376
17377
17378@menu
17379* ARM:: ARM RDI
17380* M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
17381* M68K:: Motorola M68K
17382* MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
17383* MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
17384* OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
17385* PA:: HP PA Embedded
17386* PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
17387* Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
17388* Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
17389* Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
17390* AVR:: Atmel AVR
17391* CRIS:: CRIS
17392* Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
17393@end menu
17394
17395@node ARM
17396@subsection ARM
17397@cindex ARM RDI
17398
17399@table @code
17400@kindex target rdi
17401@item target rdi @var{dev}
17402ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
17403use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
17404monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
17405
17406@kindex target rdp
17407@item target rdp @var{dev}
17408ARM Demon monitor.
17409
17410@end table
17411
17412@value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
17413
17414@table @code
17415@item set arm disassembler
17416@kindex set arm
17417This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
17418@code{"std"} style is the standard style.
17419
17420@item show arm disassembler
17421@kindex show arm
17422Show the current disassembly style.
17423
17424@item set arm apcs32
17425@cindex ARM 32-bit mode
17426This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
17427
17428@item show arm apcs32
17429Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
17430
17431@item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
17432This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
17433argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
17434
17435@table @code
17436@item auto
17437Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
17438@item softfpa
17439Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
17440processors.
17441@item fpa
17442GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
17443@item softvfp
17444Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
17445@item vfp
17446VFP co-processor.
17447@end table
17448
17449@item show arm fpu
17450Show the current type of the FPU.
17451
17452@item set arm abi
17453This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
17454
17455@item show arm abi
17456Show the currently used ABI.
17457
17458@item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17459@value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
17460whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
17461@value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
17462available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
17463use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
17464register).
17465
17466@item show arm fallback-mode
17467Show the current fallback instruction mode.
17468
17469@item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
17470This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
17471instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
17472causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
17473of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
17474
17475@item show arm force-mode
17476Show the current forced instruction mode.
17477
17478@item set debug arm
17479Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
17480target support subsystem.
17481
17482@item show debug arm
17483Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17484@end table
17485
17486The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17487using the RDI interface:
17488
17489@table @code
17490@item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17491@kindex rdilogfile
17492@cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17493Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17494With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17495no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17496@file{rdi.log}.
17497
17498@item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17499@kindex rdilogenable
17500Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17501enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17502no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17503ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17504are logged to a file.
17505
17506@item set rdiromatzero
17507@kindex set rdiromatzero
17508@cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17509Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17510vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17511(the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17512effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17513
17514@item show rdiromatzero
17515@kindex show rdiromatzero
17516Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17517
17518@item set rdiheartbeat
17519@kindex set rdiheartbeat
17520@cindex RDI heartbeat
17521Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17522turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17523well as the Angel monitor.
17524
17525@item show rdiheartbeat
17526@kindex show rdiheartbeat
17527Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17528@end table
17529
17530@table @code
17531@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17532The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
17533
17534@table @code
17535@item --swi-support=@var{type}
17536Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
17537@var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
17538The default value is @code{all}.
17539
17540@table @code
17541@item none
17542@item demon
17543@item angel
17544@item redboot
17545@item all
17546@end table
17547@end table
17548@end table
17549
17550@node M32R/D
17551@subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17552
17553@table @code
17554@kindex target m32r
17555@item target m32r @var{dev}
17556Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17557
17558@kindex target m32rsdi
17559@item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17560Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17561@end table
17562
17563The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17564
17565@table @code
17566@item set download-path @var{path}
17567@kindex set download-path
17568@cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17569Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17570
17571@item show download-path
17572@kindex show download-path
17573Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17574
17575@item set board-address @var{addr}
17576@kindex set board-address
17577@cindex M32-EVA target board address
17578Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
17579
17580@item show board-address
17581@kindex show board-address
17582Show the current IP address of the target board.
17583
17584@item set server-address @var{addr}
17585@kindex set server-address
17586@cindex download server address (M32R)
17587Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
17588host machine.
17589
17590@item show server-address
17591@kindex show server-address
17592Display the IP address of the download server.
17593
17594@item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17595@kindex upload@r{, M32R}
17596Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
17597upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
17598executable file is uploaded.
17599
17600@item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17601@kindex tload@r{, M32R}
17602Test the @code{upload} command.
17603@end table
17604
17605The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
17606
17607@table @code
17608@item sdireset
17609@kindex sdireset
17610@cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
17611This command resets the SDI connection.
17612
17613@item sdistatus
17614@kindex sdistatus
17615This command shows the SDI connection status.
17616
17617@item debug_chaos
17618@kindex debug_chaos
17619@cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
17620Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
17621
17622@item use_debug_dma
17623@kindex use_debug_dma
17624Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
17625
17626@item use_mon_code
17627@kindex use_mon_code
17628Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
17629
17630@item use_ib_break
17631@kindex use_ib_break
17632Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
17633
17634@item use_dbt_break
17635@kindex use_dbt_break
17636Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
17637@end table
17638
17639@node M68K
17640@subsection M68k
17641
17642The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
17643target command for the following ROM monitor.
17644
17645@table @code
17646
17647@kindex target dbug
17648@item target dbug @var{dev}
17649dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
17650
17651@end table
17652
17653@node MicroBlaze
17654@subsection MicroBlaze
17655@cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
17656@cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
17657
17658The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
17659FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
17660usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
17661Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
17662This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
17663the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
17664communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
17665presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
17666@code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
17667this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
17668commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
17669
17670Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
17671
17672@table @code
17673@item target remote :1234
17674Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
17675on the same system as @code{xmd}.
17676
17677@item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
17678Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
17679running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
17680
17681@item load
17682Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
17683
17684@item set debug microblaze @var{n}
17685Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
17686
17687@item show debug microblaze @var{n}
17688Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
17689@end table
17690
17691@node MIPS Embedded
17692@subsection MIPS Embedded
17693
17694@cindex MIPS boards
17695@value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
17696MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
17697you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
17698
17699@need 1000
17700Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
17701
17702@table @code
17703@item target mips @var{port}
17704@kindex target mips @var{port}
17705To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
17706name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
17707command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
17708the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
17709been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
17710download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
17711
17712For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
17713port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
17714debugger:
17715
17716@smallexample
17717host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
17718@value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
17719(@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
17720(@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
17721(@value{GDBP}) run
17722@end smallexample
17723
17724@item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
17725On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
17726connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
17727concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
17728@samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
17729
17730@item target pmon @var{port}
17731@kindex target pmon @var{port}
17732PMON ROM monitor.
17733
17734@item target ddb @var{port}
17735@kindex target ddb @var{port}
17736NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
17737
17738@item target lsi @var{port}
17739@kindex target lsi @var{port}
17740LSI variant of PMON.
17741
17742@kindex target r3900
17743@item target r3900 @var{dev}
17744Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
17745
17746@kindex target array
17747@item target array @var{dev}
17748Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
17749
17750@end table
17751
17752
17753@noindent
17754@value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
17755
17756@table @code
17757@item set mipsfpu double
17758@itemx set mipsfpu single
17759@itemx set mipsfpu none
17760@itemx set mipsfpu auto
17761@itemx show mipsfpu
17762@kindex set mipsfpu
17763@kindex show mipsfpu
17764@cindex MIPS remote floating point
17765@cindex floating point, MIPS remote
17766If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
17767coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
17768need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
17769file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
17770functions which return floating point values. It also allows
17771@value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
17772functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
17773with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
17774processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
17775double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
17776@samp{set mipsfpu double}.
17777
17778In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
17779floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
17780and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
17781
17782As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
17783@samp{show mipsfpu}.
17784
17785@item set timeout @var{seconds}
17786@itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
17787@itemx show timeout
17788@itemx show retransmit-timeout
17789@cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
17790@cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
17791@kindex set timeout
17792@kindex show timeout
17793@kindex set retransmit-timeout
17794@kindex show retransmit-timeout
17795You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
17796remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
17797default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
17798waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
17799retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
17800You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
17801retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
17802@value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
17803
17804The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
17805is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
17806forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
17807to run before stopping.
17808
17809@item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
17810@kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17811@cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
17812Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
17813it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
17814characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
17815
17816@item show syn-garbage-limit
17817@kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17818Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
17819trying to synchronize with the remote system.
17820
17821@item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
17822@kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17823@cindex remote monitor prompt
17824Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
17825remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
17826@table @asis
17827@item pmon target
17828@samp{PMON}
17829@item ddb target
17830@samp{NEC010}
17831@item lsi target
17832@samp{PMON>}
17833@end table
17834
17835@item show monitor-prompt
17836@kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17837Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
17838remote monitor.
17839
17840@item set monitor-warnings
17841@kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17842Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
17843has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
17844display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
17845PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
17846
17847@item show monitor-warnings
17848@kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17849Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
17850
17851@item pmon @var{command}
17852@kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
17853@cindex send PMON command
17854This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
17855monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
17856@end table
17857
17858@node OpenRISC 1000
17859@subsection OpenRISC 1000
17860@cindex OpenRISC 1000
17861
17862@cindex or1k boards
17863See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
17864about platform and commands.
17865
17866@table @code
17867
17868@kindex target jtag
17869@item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
17870
17871Connects to remote JTAG server.
17872JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
17873connected via parallel port to the board.
17874
17875Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
17876
17877@kindex or1ksim
17878@item or1ksim @var{command}
17879If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
17880Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
17881
17882@kindex info or1k spr
17883@item info or1k spr
17884Displays spr groups.
17885
17886@item info or1k spr @var{group}
17887@itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
17888Displays register names in selected group.
17889
17890@item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
17891@itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
17892@itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
17893@itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
17894Shows information about specified spr register.
17895
17896@kindex spr
17897@item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
17898@itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
17899@itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
17900@itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
17901Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
17902@end table
17903
17904Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
17905It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
17906program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
17907triggers can be set using:
17908@table @code
17909@item $LEA/$LDATA
17910Load effective address/data
17911@item $SEA/$SDATA
17912Store effective address/data
17913@item $AEA/$ADATA
17914Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
17915@item $FETCH
17916Fetch data
17917@end table
17918
17919When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
17920@code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
17921
17922@code{htrace} commands:
17923@cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
17924@table @code
17925@kindex hwatch
17926@item hwatch @var{conditional}
17927Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
17928or Data. For example:
17929
17930@code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17931
17932@code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17933
17934@kindex htrace
17935@item htrace info
17936Display information about current HW trace configuration.
17937
17938@item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
17939Set starting criteria for HW trace.
17940
17941@item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
17942Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
17943
17944@item htrace stop @var{conditional}
17945Set HW trace stopping criteria.
17946
17947@item htrace record [@var{data}]*
17948Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
17949triggered.
17950
17951@item htrace enable
17952@itemx htrace disable
17953Enables/disables the HW trace.
17954
17955@item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
17956Clears currently recorded trace data.
17957
17958If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
17959will be written there.
17960
17961@item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
17962Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
17963
17964@item htrace mode continuous
17965Set continuous trace mode.
17966
17967@item htrace mode suspend
17968Set suspend trace mode.
17969
17970@end table
17971
17972@node PowerPC Embedded
17973@subsection PowerPC Embedded
17974
17975@value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
17976
17977@table @code
17978@kindex set powerpc
17979@item set powerpc soft-float
17980@itemx show powerpc soft-float
17981Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
17982convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
17983on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17984
17985@item set powerpc vector-abi
17986@itemx show powerpc vector-abi
17987Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
17988arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
17989@samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
17990@samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
17991registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
17992based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17993
17994@kindex target dink32
17995@item target dink32 @var{dev}
17996DINK32 ROM monitor.
17997
17998@kindex target ppcbug
17999@item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18000@kindex target ppcbug1
18001@item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18002PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18003
18004@kindex target sds
18005@item target sds @var{dev}
18006SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18007@end table
18008
18009@cindex SDS protocol
18010The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18011by @value{GDBN}:
18012
18013@table @code
18014@item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18015@kindex set sdstimeout
18016Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18017default is 2 seconds.
18018
18019@item show sdstimeout
18020@kindex show sdstimeout
18021Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18022
18023@item sds @var{command}
18024@kindex sds@r{, a command}
18025Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18026@end table
18027
18028
18029@node PA
18030@subsection HP PA Embedded
18031
18032@table @code
18033
18034@kindex target op50n
18035@item target op50n @var{dev}
18036OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18037
18038@kindex target w89k
18039@item target w89k @var{dev}
18040W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18041
18042@end table
18043
18044@node Sparclet
18045@subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18046
18047@cindex Sparclet
18048
18049@value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18050Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18051@value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18052both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18053@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18054
18055@table @code
18056@item remotetimeout @var{args}
18057@kindex remotetimeout
18058@value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18059This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18060seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18061@end table
18062
18063@cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18064When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18065information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18066load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18067@samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18068
18069@smallexample
18070sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18071@end smallexample
18072
18073You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18074
18075@smallexample
18076sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18077@end smallexample
18078
18079@cindex running, on Sparclet
18080Once you have set
18081your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18082run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18083(or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18084
18085@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18086
18087@smallexample
18088(gdbslet)
18089@end smallexample
18090
18091@menu
18092* Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18093* Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18094* Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18095* Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18096@end menu
18097
18098@node Sparclet File
18099@subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18100
18101The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18102
18103@smallexample
18104(gdbslet) file prog
18105@end smallexample
18106
18107@need 1000
18108@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18109@value{GDBN} locates
18110the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18111path.
18112If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18113files will be searched as well.
18114@value{GDBN} locates
18115the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18116path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18117If it fails
18118to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18119
18120@smallexample
18121prog: No such file or directory.
18122@end smallexample
18123
18124When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18125the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18126@code{target} command again.
18127
18128@node Sparclet Connection
18129@subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18130
18131The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18132To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18133
18134@smallexample
18135(gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18136Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18137main () at ../prog.c:3
18138@end smallexample
18139
18140@need 750
18141@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18142
18143@smallexample
18144Connected to ttya.
18145@end smallexample
18146
18147@node Sparclet Download
18148@subsubsection Sparclet Download
18149
18150@cindex download to Sparclet
18151Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18152you can use the @value{GDBN}
18153@code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18154The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18155command.
18156Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18157address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18158offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18159of each of the file's sections.
18160For instance, if the program
18161@file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18162and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18163
18164@smallexample
18165(gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18166Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18167@end smallexample
18168
18169If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18170to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18171to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18172
18173@node Sparclet Execution
18174@subsubsection Running and Debugging
18175
18176@cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18177You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18178commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18179manual for the list of commands.
18180
18181@smallexample
18182(gdbslet) b main
18183Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18184(gdbslet) run
18185Starting program: prog
18186Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
181873 char *symarg = 0;
18188(gdbslet) step
181894 char *execarg = "hello!";
18190(gdbslet)
18191@end smallexample
18192
18193@node Sparclite
18194@subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18195
18196@table @code
18197
18198@kindex target sparclite
18199@item target sparclite @var{dev}
18200Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18201You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18202For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18203remote protocol.
18204
18205@end table
18206
18207@node Z8000
18208@subsection Zilog Z8000
18209
18210@cindex Z8000
18211@cindex simulator, Z8000
18212@cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18213
18214When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18215a Z8000 simulator.
18216
18217For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18218unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18219segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18220appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18221
18222@table @code
18223@item target sim @var{args}
18224@kindex sim
18225@kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
18226Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
18227options, specify them via @var{args}.
18228@end table
18229
18230@noindent
18231After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18232CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18233@code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18234to run your program, and so on.
18235
18236As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18237(@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18238additional items of information as specially named registers:
18239
18240@table @code
18241
18242@item cycles
18243Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
18244
18245@item insts
18246Counts instructions run in the simulator.
18247
18248@item time
18249Execution time in 60ths of a second.
18250
18251@end table
18252
18253You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
18254conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
18255conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
18256simulated clock ticks.
18257
18258@node AVR
18259@subsection Atmel AVR
18260@cindex AVR
18261
18262When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
18263following AVR-specific commands:
18264
18265@table @code
18266@item info io_registers
18267@kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
18268@cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
18269This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
18270each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
18271@end table
18272
18273@node CRIS
18274@subsection CRIS
18275@cindex CRIS
18276
18277When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
18278following CRIS-specific commands:
18279
18280@table @code
18281@item set cris-version @var{ver}
18282@cindex CRIS version
18283Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
18284The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
18285case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
18286
18287@item show cris-version
18288Show the current CRIS version.
18289
18290@item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
18291@cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
18292Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
18293Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
18294@code{R59}.
18295
18296@item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
18297Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
18298
18299@item set cris-mode @var{mode}
18300@cindex CRIS mode
18301Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
18302debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
18303@samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
18304
18305@item show cris-mode
18306Show the current CRIS mode.
18307@end table
18308
18309@node Super-H
18310@subsection Renesas Super-H
18311@cindex Super-H
18312
18313For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
18314commands:
18315
18316@table @code
18317@item regs
18318@kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
18319Show the values of all Super-H registers.
18320
18321@item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
18322@kindex set sh calling-convention
18323Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
18324Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
18325With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
18326convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
18327that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
18328is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
18329is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
18330regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
18331default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
18332does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
18333
18334@item show sh calling-convention
18335@kindex show sh calling-convention
18336Show the current calling convention setting.
18337
18338@end table
18339
18340
18341@node Architectures
18342@section Architectures
18343
18344This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
18345all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
18346
18347@menu
18348* i386::
18349* A29K::
18350* Alpha::
18351* MIPS::
18352* HPPA:: HP PA architecture
18353* SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18354* PowerPC::
18355@end menu
18356
18357@node i386
18358@subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
18359
18360@table @code
18361@item set struct-convention @var{mode}
18362@kindex set struct-convention
18363@cindex struct return convention
18364@cindex struct/union returned in registers
18365Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
18366@code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
18367@var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
18368default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
18369are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
18370@code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
18371be returned in a register.
18372
18373@item show struct-convention
18374@kindex show struct-convention
18375Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
18376from functions.
18377@end table
18378
18379@node A29K
18380@subsection A29K
18381
18382@table @code
18383
18384@kindex set rstack_high_address
18385@cindex AMD 29K register stack
18386@cindex register stack, AMD29K
18387@item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
18388On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
18389@dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
18390extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
18391stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
18392memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
18393this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
18394the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
18395address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
18396hexadecimal.
18397
18398@kindex show rstack_high_address
18399@item show rstack_high_address
18400Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
18401processors.
18402
18403@end table
18404
18405@node Alpha
18406@subsection Alpha
18407
18408See the following section.
18409
18410@node MIPS
18411@subsection MIPS
18412
18413@cindex stack on Alpha
18414@cindex stack on MIPS
18415@cindex Alpha stack
18416@cindex MIPS stack
18417Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
18418sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
18419find the beginning of a function.
18420
18421@cindex response time, MIPS debugging
18422To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
18423@value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
18424you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
18425commands:
18426
18427@table @code
18428@cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
18429@item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
18430Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
18431search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
18432default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
18433larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
18434and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
18435this command when debugging a stripped executable.
18436
18437@item show heuristic-fence-post
18438Display the current limit.
18439@end table
18440
18441@noindent
18442These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
18443for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
18444
18445Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
18446programs:
18447
18448@table @code
18449@item set mips abi @var{arg}
18450@kindex set mips abi
18451@cindex set ABI for MIPS
18452Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
18453values of @var{arg} are:
18454
18455@table @samp
18456@item auto
18457The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
18458default).
18459@item o32
18460@item o64
18461@item n32
18462@item n64
18463@item eabi32
18464@item eabi64
18465@item auto
18466@end table
18467
18468@item show mips abi
18469@kindex show mips abi
18470Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
18471
18472@item set mipsfpu
18473@itemx show mipsfpu
18474@xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
18475
18476@item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
18477@kindex set mips mask-address
18478@cindex MIPS addresses, masking
18479This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
18480MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
18481@samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
18482setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
18483
18484@item show mips mask-address
18485@kindex show mips mask-address
18486Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
18487not.
18488
18489@item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18490@kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18491This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
18492transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
18493that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
18494and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
18495
18496@item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18497@kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18498Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
18499
18500@item set debug mips
18501@kindex set debug mips
18502This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18503target code in @value{GDBN}.
18504
18505@item show debug mips
18506@kindex show debug mips
18507Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18508@end table
18509
18510
18511@node HPPA
18512@subsection HPPA
18513@cindex HPPA support
18514
18515When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18516following special commands:
18517
18518@table @code
18519@item set debug hppa
18520@kindex set debug hppa
18521This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18522messages are to be displayed.
18523
18524@item show debug hppa
18525Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18526
18527@item maint print unwind @var{address}
18528@kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18529This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18530given @var{address}.
18531
18532@end table
18533
18534
18535@node SPU
18536@subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18537@cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18538@cindex SPU
18539
18540When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18541it provides the following special commands:
18542
18543@table @code
18544@item info spu event
18545@kindex info spu
18546Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18547and pending event status.
18548
18549@item info spu signal
18550Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18551signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18552notification channels.
18553
18554@item info spu mailbox
18555Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18556in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18557SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18558
18559@item info spu dma
18560Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18561DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18562and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18563
18564@item info spu proxydma
18565Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18566Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18567and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18568
18569@end table
18570
18571When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
18572on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
18573special commands:
18574
18575@table @code
18576@item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
18577@kindex set spu
18578Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
18579will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
18580function. The default is @code{off}.
18581
18582@item show spu stop-on-load
18583@kindex show spu
18584Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
18585
18586@item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
18587Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
18588@code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
18589cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
18590view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
18591does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
18592
18593@item show spu auto-flush-cache
18594Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
18595
18596@end table
18597
18598@node PowerPC
18599@subsection PowerPC
18600@cindex PowerPC architecture
18601
18602When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
18603pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
18604numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
18605in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
18606@code{f0} or @code{f2}.
18607
18608The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
18609by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
18610@code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
18611
18612For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
18613wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
18614
18615
18616@node Controlling GDB
18617@chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
18618
18619You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
18620@code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
18621data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
18622described here.
18623
18624@menu
18625* Prompt:: Prompt
18626* Editing:: Command editing
18627* Command History:: Command history
18628* Screen Size:: Screen size
18629* Numbers:: Numbers
18630* ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
18631* Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
18632* Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
18633* Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
18634@end menu
18635
18636@node Prompt
18637@section Prompt
18638
18639@cindex prompt
18640
18641@value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
18642called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
18643can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18644instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
18645the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
18646which one you are talking to.
18647
18648@emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
18649prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
18650or a prompt that does not.
18651
18652@table @code
18653@kindex set prompt
18654@item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18655Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
18656
18657@kindex show prompt
18658@item show prompt
18659Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
18660@end table
18661
18662@node Editing
18663@section Command Editing
18664@cindex readline
18665@cindex command line editing
18666
18667@value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
18668@sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
18669command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
18670or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
18671substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
18672debugging sessions.
18673
18674You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
18675command @code{set}.
18676
18677@table @code
18678@kindex set editing
18679@cindex editing
18680@item set editing
18681@itemx set editing on
18682Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
18683
18684@item set editing off
18685Disable command line editing.
18686
18687@kindex show editing
18688@item show editing
18689Show whether command line editing is enabled.
18690@end table
18691
18692@xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
18693interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
18694encouraged to read that chapter.
18695
18696@node Command History
18697@section Command History
18698@cindex command history
18699
18700@value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
18701debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
18702happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
18703history facility.
18704
18705@value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
18706package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
18707Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
18708
18709To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
18710the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
18711(@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
18712means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
18713affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
18714pressed on a line by itself.
18715
18716@cindex @code{server}, command prefix
18717The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
18718history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
18719use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
18720
18721Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
18722history.
18723
18724@table @code
18725@cindex history substitution
18726@cindex history file
18727@kindex set history filename
18728@cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
18729@item set history filename @var{fname}
18730Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
18731This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
18732list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
18733exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
18734the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
18735to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
18736@file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
18737is not set.
18738
18739@cindex save command history
18740@kindex set history save
18741@item set history save
18742@itemx set history save on
18743Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
18744@code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
18745
18746@item set history save off
18747Stop recording command history in a file.
18748
18749@cindex history size
18750@kindex set history size
18751@cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
18752@item set history size @var{size}
18753Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
18754This defaults to the value of the environment variable
18755@code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
18756@end table
18757
18758History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
18759@xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
18760
18761@cindex history expansion, turn on/off
18762Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
18763is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
18764@code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
18765follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
18766a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
18767history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
18768@kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
18769
18770The commands to control history expansion are:
18771
18772@table @code
18773@item set history expansion on
18774@itemx set history expansion
18775@kindex set history expansion
18776Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
18777
18778@item set history expansion off
18779Disable history expansion.
18780
18781@c @group
18782@kindex show history
18783@item show history
18784@itemx show history filename
18785@itemx show history save
18786@itemx show history size
18787@itemx show history expansion
18788These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
18789@code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
18790@c @end group
18791@end table
18792
18793@table @code
18794@kindex show commands
18795@cindex show last commands
18796@cindex display command history
18797@item show commands
18798Display the last ten commands in the command history.
18799
18800@item show commands @var{n}
18801Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
18802
18803@item show commands +
18804Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
18805@end table
18806
18807@node Screen Size
18808@section Screen Size
18809@cindex size of screen
18810@cindex pauses in output
18811
18812Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
18813information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
18814@value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
18815output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
18816to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
18817determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
18818printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
18819rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
18820
18821Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
18822driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
18823together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
18824@code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
18825you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
18826width} commands:
18827
18828@table @code
18829@kindex set height
18830@kindex set width
18831@kindex show width
18832@kindex show height
18833@item set height @var{lpp}
18834@itemx show height
18835@itemx set width @var{cpl}
18836@itemx show width
18837These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
18838a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
18839commands display the current settings.
18840
18841If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
18842output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
18843file or to an editor buffer.
18844
18845Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
18846from wrapping its output.
18847
18848@item set pagination on
18849@itemx set pagination off
18850@kindex set pagination
18851Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
18852pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
18853running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
18854Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
18855
18856@item show pagination
18857@kindex show pagination
18858Show the current pagination mode.
18859@end table
18860
18861@node Numbers
18862@section Numbers
18863@cindex number representation
18864@cindex entering numbers
18865
18866You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
18867@value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
18868@samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
18869begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
18870@samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
1887110; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
18872format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
18873both input and output with the commands described below.
18874
18875@table @code
18876@kindex set input-radix
18877@item set input-radix @var{base}
18878Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
18879for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18880specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
18881example, any of
18882
18883@smallexample
18884set input-radix 012
18885set input-radix 10.
18886set input-radix 0xa
18887@end smallexample
18888
18889@noindent
18890sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
18891leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
18892@samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
18893interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
18894@samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
18895change the radix.
18896
18897@kindex set output-radix
18898@item set output-radix @var{base}
18899Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
18900for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18901specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
18902
18903@kindex show input-radix
18904@item show input-radix
18905Display the current default base for numeric input.
18906
18907@kindex show output-radix
18908@item show output-radix
18909Display the current default base for numeric display.
18910
18911@item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
18912@itemx show radix
18913@kindex set radix
18914@kindex show radix
18915These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
18916of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
18917the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
18918default value of 10.
18919
18920@end table
18921
18922@node ABI
18923@section Configuring the Current ABI
18924
18925@value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
18926application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
18927conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
18928current ABI.
18929
18930@cindex OS ABI
18931@kindex set osabi
18932@kindex show osabi
18933
18934One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
18935system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
18936@value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
18937but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
18938One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
18939an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
18940not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
18941platform provides.
18942
18943@table @code
18944@item show osabi
18945Show the OS ABI currently in use.
18946
18947@item set osabi
18948With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
18949
18950@item set osabi @var{abi}
18951Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
18952@end table
18953
18954@cindex float promotion
18955
18956Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
18957function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
18958(i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
18959according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
18960(i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
18961@code{double} and then passed.
18962
18963Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
18964a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
18965as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
18966
18967@table @code
18968@kindex set coerce-float-to-double
18969@item set coerce-float-to-double
18970@itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
18971Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
18972to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
18973
18974@item set coerce-float-to-double off
18975Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
18976functions.
18977
18978@kindex show coerce-float-to-double
18979@item show coerce-float-to-double
18980Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
18981@end table
18982
18983@kindex set cp-abi
18984@kindex show cp-abi
18985@value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
18986objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
18987used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
18988programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
18989multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
18990program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
18991Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
18992before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
18993``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
18994use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
18995``auto''.
18996
18997@table @code
18998@item show cp-abi
18999Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19000
19001@item set cp-abi
19002With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19003
19004@item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19005@itemx set cp-abi auto
19006Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19007@end table
19008
19009@node Messages/Warnings
19010@section Optional Warnings and Messages
19011
19012@cindex verbose operation
19013@cindex optional warnings
19014By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19015running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19016command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19017internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19018
19019Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19020which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19021see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19022
19023@table @code
19024@kindex set verbose
19025@item set verbose on
19026Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19027
19028@item set verbose off
19029Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19030
19031@kindex show verbose
19032@item show verbose
19033Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19034@end table
19035
19036By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19037object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19038find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19039Symbol Files}).
19040
19041@table @code
19042
19043@kindex set complaints
19044@item set complaints @var{limit}
19045Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19046unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19047@var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19048to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19049
19050@kindex show complaints
19051@item show complaints
19052Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19053
19054@end table
19055
19056@anchor{confirmation requests}
19057By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19058lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19059you try to run a program which is already running:
19060
19061@smallexample
19062(@value{GDBP}) run
19063The program being debugged has been started already.
19064Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19065@end smallexample
19066
19067If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19068commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19069
19070@table @code
19071
19072@kindex set confirm
19073@cindex flinching
19074@cindex confirmation
19075@cindex stupid questions
19076@item set confirm off
19077Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19078the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19079automatically disables confirmation requests.
19080
19081@item set confirm on
19082Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19083
19084@kindex show confirm
19085@item show confirm
19086Displays state of confirmation requests.
19087
19088@end table
19089
19090@cindex command tracing
19091If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19092useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19093printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19094quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19095
19096@table @code
19097@kindex set trace-commands
19098@cindex command scripts, debugging
19099@item set trace-commands on
19100Enable command tracing.
19101@item set trace-commands off
19102Disable command tracing.
19103@item show trace-commands
19104Display the current state of command tracing.
19105@end table
19106
19107@node Debugging Output
19108@section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19109@cindex optional debugging messages
19110
19111@value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19112various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19113interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19114section documents those commands.
19115
19116@table @code
19117@kindex set exec-done-display
19118@item set exec-done-display
19119Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19120completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19121asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19122@kindex show exec-done-display
19123@item show exec-done-display
19124Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19125notification.
19126@kindex set debug
19127@cindex gdbarch debugging info
19128@cindex architecture debugging info
19129@item set debug arch
19130Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19131@kindex show debug
19132@item show debug arch
19133Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19134@item set debug aix-thread
19135@cindex AIX threads
19136Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19137module.
19138@item show debug aix-thread
19139Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19140@item set debug dwarf2-die
19141@cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19142Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19143The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19144A value of zero turns off the display.
19145@item show debug dwarf2-die
19146Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19147@item set debug displaced
19148@cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19149Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19150displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19151@item show debug displaced
19152Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19153related to displaced stepping.
19154@item set debug event
19155@cindex event debugging info
19156Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19157default is off.
19158@item show debug event
19159Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19160info.
19161@item set debug expression
19162@cindex expression debugging info
19163Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19164expression parsing. The default is off.
19165@item show debug expression
19166Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19167@value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19168@item set debug frame
19169@cindex frame debugging info
19170Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19171default is off.
19172@item show debug frame
19173Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19174info.
19175@item set debug gnu-nat
19176@cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19177Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19178@item show debug gnu-nat
19179Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19180@item set debug infrun
19181@cindex inferior debugging info
19182Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19183The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19184for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19185@item show debug infrun
19186Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19187@item set debug lin-lwp
19188@cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19189@cindex Linux lightweight processes
19190Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19191@item show debug lin-lwp
19192Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19193@item set debug lin-lwp-async
19194@cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19195@cindex Linux lightweight processes
19196Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19197@item show debug lin-lwp-async
19198Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19199@item set debug observer
19200@cindex observer debugging info
19201Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
19202includes info such as the notification of observable events.
19203@item show debug observer
19204Displays the current state of observer debugging.
19205@item set debug overload
19206@cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
19207Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
19208info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
19209is off.
19210@item show debug overload
19211Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
19212debugging info.
19213@cindex expression parser, debugging info
19214@cindex debug expression parser
19215@item set debug parser
19216Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
19217Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
19218parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
19219details. The default is off.
19220@item show debug parser
19221Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
19222@cindex packets, reporting on stdout
19223@cindex serial connections, debugging
19224@cindex debug remote protocol
19225@cindex remote protocol debugging
19226@cindex display remote packets
19227@item set debug remote
19228Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
19229the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
19230@value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
19231@item show debug remote
19232Displays the state of display of remote packets.
19233@item set debug serial
19234Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
19235default is off.
19236@item show debug serial
19237Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
19238info.
19239@item set debug solib-frv
19240@cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
19241Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
19242@item show debug solib-frv
19243Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
19244messages.
19245@item set debug target
19246@cindex target debugging info
19247Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
19248includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
19249default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
19250value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
19251until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
19252@item show debug target
19253Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
19254info.
19255@item set debug timestamp
19256@cindex timestampping debugging info
19257Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
19258When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
19259message.
19260@item show debug timestamp
19261Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
19262debugging info.
19263@item set debugvarobj
19264@cindex variable object debugging info
19265Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
19266info. The default is off.
19267@item show debugvarobj
19268Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
19269debugging info.
19270@item set debug xml
19271@cindex XML parser debugging
19272Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
19273@item show debug xml
19274Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
19275@end table
19276
19277@node Other Misc Settings
19278@section Other Miscellaneous Settings
19279@cindex miscellaneous settings
19280
19281@table @code
19282@kindex set interactive-mode
19283@item set interactive-mode
19284If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
19285If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
19286If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
19287based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
19288
19289In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
19290correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
19291in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
19292inside a cygwin window.
19293
19294@kindex show interactive-mode
19295@item show interactive-mode
19296Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
19297@end table
19298
19299@node Extending GDB
19300@chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
19301@cindex extending GDB
19302
19303@value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
19304on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
19305Python scripting language.
19306
19307To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
19308of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
19309can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
19310the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
19311are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19312@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
19313
19314You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
19315setting:
19316
19317@table @code
19318@kindex set script-extension
19319@kindex show script-extension
19320@item set script-extension off
19321All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
19322
19323@item set script-extension soft
19324The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19325extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
19326evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
19327the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
19328
19329@item set script-extension strict
19330The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
19331extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
19332language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
19333
19334@item show script-extension
19335Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
19336
19337@end table
19338
19339@menu
19340* Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
19341* Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19342@end menu
19343
19344@node Sequences
19345@section Canned Sequences of Commands
19346
19347Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
19348Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
19349commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
19350files.
19351
19352@menu
19353* Define:: How to define your own commands
19354* Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
19355* Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
19356* Output:: Commands for controlled output
19357@end menu
19358
19359@node Define
19360@subsection User-defined Commands
19361
19362@cindex user-defined command
19363@cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
19364A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
19365which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
19366@code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
19367separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
19368via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
19369
19370@smallexample
19371define adder
19372 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19373end
19374@end smallexample
19375
19376@noindent
19377To execute the command use:
19378
19379@smallexample
19380adder 1 2 3
19381@end smallexample
19382
19383@noindent
19384This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
19385its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
19386reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
19387functions calls.
19388
19389@cindex argument count in user-defined commands
19390@cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
19391In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
19392been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
19393
19394@smallexample
19395define adder
19396 if $argc == 2
19397 print $arg0 + $arg1
19398 end
19399 if $argc == 3
19400 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
19401 end
19402end
19403@end smallexample
19404
19405@table @code
19406
19407@kindex define
19408@item define @var{commandname}
19409Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
19410by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
19411@var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
19412numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
19413prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
19414a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
19415
19416The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
19417which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
19418commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19419
19420@kindex document
19421@kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
19422@item document @var{commandname}
19423Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
19424accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
19425defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
19426reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
19427After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
19428@var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
19429
19430You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
19431documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
19432does not change the documentation.
19433
19434@kindex dont-repeat
19435@cindex don't repeat command
19436@item dont-repeat
19437Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
19438command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
19439(@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
19440
19441@kindex help user-defined
19442@item help user-defined
19443List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
19444(if any) for each.
19445
19446@kindex show user
19447@item show user
19448@itemx show user @var{commandname}
19449Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
19450not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
19451definitions for all user-defined commands.
19452
19453@cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
19454@kindex show max-user-call-depth
19455@kindex set max-user-call-depth
19456@item show max-user-call-depth
19457@itemx set max-user-call-depth
19458The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
19459levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
19460infinite recursion and aborts the command.
19461@end table
19462
19463In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
19464use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
19465
19466When user-defined commands are executed, the
19467commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
19468stops execution of the user-defined command.
19469
19470If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
19471without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
19472commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
19473messages when used in a user-defined command.
19474
19475@node Hooks
19476@subsection User-defined Command Hooks
19477@cindex command hooks
19478@cindex hooks, for commands
19479@cindex hooks, pre-command
19480
19481@kindex hook
19482You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
19483command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
19484command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
19485before that command.
19486
19487@cindex hooks, post-command
19488@kindex hookpost
19489A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
19490Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
19491@samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
19492that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
19493pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
19494
19495It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
19496occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
19497
19498@c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
19499@c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
19500
19501@kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
19502In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
19503(@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
19504execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
19505displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
19506
19507For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
19508single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
19509you could define:
19510
19511@smallexample
19512define hook-stop
19513handle SIGALRM nopass
19514end
19515
19516define hook-run
19517handle SIGALRM pass
19518end
19519
19520define hook-continue
19521handle SIGALRM pass
19522end
19523@end smallexample
19524
19525As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
19526command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
19527you could define:
19528
19529@smallexample
19530define hook-echo
19531echo <<<---
19532end
19533
19534define hookpost-echo
19535echo --->>>\n
19536end
19537
19538(@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
19539<<<---Hello World--->>>
19540(@value{GDBP})
19541
19542@end smallexample
19543
19544You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
19545not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19546name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19547@c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19548@c or not?
19549You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19550@code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19551@samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19552
19553If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19554@value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19555(before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19556
19557If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19558get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19559
19560@node Command Files
19561@subsection Command Files
19562
19563@cindex command files
19564@cindex scripting commands
19565A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19566@value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19567also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19568does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19569terminal.
19570
19571You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
19572command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
19573scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
19574using the @code{script-extension} setting.
19575@xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
19576
19577@table @code
19578@kindex source
19579@cindex execute commands from a file
19580@item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
19581Execute the command file @var{filename}.
19582@end table
19583
19584The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
19585unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
19586@emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
19587printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
19588execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
19589
19590@value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
19591If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
19592directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
19593(specified with the @samp{directory} command);
19594except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
19595is not relevant to scripts.
19596
19597If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
19598on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
19599The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
19600search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
19601and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
19602look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
19603The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
19604For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
19605the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
19606look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
19607For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
19608it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
19609@file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
19610will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
19611
19612If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
19613each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
19614@var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
19615
19616Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
19617without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
19618normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
19619when called from command files.
19620
19621@value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
19622mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
19623standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
19624not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
19625the next command.
19626
19627@smallexample
19628gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
19629@end smallexample
19630
19631(The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
19632will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
19633would be directed to @file{log}.
19634
19635Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
19636commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
19637complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
19638variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
19639built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
19640deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
19641complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
19642conditionally, etc.
19643
19644@table @code
19645@kindex if
19646@kindex else
19647@item if
19648@itemx else
19649This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
19650commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
19651expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
19652are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
19653There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
19654of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
19655end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19656
19657@kindex while
19658@item while
19659This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
19660@code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
19661to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
19662line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
19663@dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
19664executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
19665
19666@kindex loop_break
19667@item loop_break
19668This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
19669Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
19670line.
19671
19672@kindex loop_continue
19673@item loop_continue
19674This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
19675in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
19676branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
19677the controlling expression.
19678
19679@kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
19680@item end
19681Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
19682@code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
19683@end table
19684
19685
19686@node Output
19687@subsection Commands for Controlled Output
19688
19689During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
19690@value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
19691explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
19692describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
19693want.
19694
19695@table @code
19696@kindex echo
19697@item echo @var{text}
19698@c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
19699@c because it is not in ANSI.
19700Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
19701@var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
19702newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
19703In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
19704by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
19705string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
19706trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
19707To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
19708@samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
19709
19710A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
19711the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
19712
19713@smallexample
19714echo This is some text\n\
19715which is continued\n\
19716onto several lines.\n
19717@end smallexample
19718
19719produces the same output as
19720
19721@smallexample
19722echo This is some text\n
19723echo which is continued\n
19724echo onto several lines.\n
19725@end smallexample
19726
19727@kindex output
19728@item output @var{expression}
19729Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
19730newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
19731value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
19732on expressions.
19733
19734@item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
19735Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
19736the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
19737Formats}, for more information.
19738
19739@kindex printf
19740@item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
19741Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
19742the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
19743@var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
19744which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
19745specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
19746executing the code below:
19747
19748@smallexample
19749printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
19750@end smallexample
19751
19752As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
19753are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
19754by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
19755evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
19756style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
19757printed.
19758
19759For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
19760
19761@smallexample
19762printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
19763@end smallexample
19764
19765@code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
19766specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
19767character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
19768
19769@itemize @bullet
19770@item
19771The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
19772
19773@item
19774The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
19775width.
19776
19777@item
19778The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
19779@code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
19780
19781@item
19782The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
19783supported.
19784
19785@item
19786The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
19787
19788@item
19789The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
19790@end itemize
19791
19792@noindent
19793Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
19794underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
19795the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
19796supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
19797
19798As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
19799sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
19800@samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
19801single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
19802supported.
19803
19804Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
19805(@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
19806together with a floating point specifier.
19807letters:
19808
19809@itemize @bullet
19810@item
19811@samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
19812
19813@item
19814@samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
19815
19816@item
19817@samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
19818@end itemize
19819
19820If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
19821support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
19822such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
19823
19824In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
19825available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
19826
19827Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
19828@smallexample
19829printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
19830@end smallexample
19831
19832@end table
19833
19834@node Python
19835@section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19836@cindex python scripting
19837@cindex scripting with python
19838
19839You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
19840Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
19841@value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
19842
19843@menu
19844* Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
19845* Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
19846* Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
19847@end menu
19848
19849@node Python Commands
19850@subsection Python Commands
19851@cindex python commands
19852@cindex commands to access python
19853
19854@value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
19855and one related setting:
19856
19857@table @code
19858@kindex python
19859@item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
19860The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
19861
19862If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
19863argument as a Python command. For example:
19864
19865@smallexample
19866(@value{GDBP}) python print 23
1986723
19868@end smallexample
19869
19870If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
19871multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
19872script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
19873@code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
19874containing @code{end}. For example:
19875
19876@smallexample
19877(@value{GDBP}) python
19878Type python script
19879End with a line saying just "end".
19880>print 23
19881>end
1988223
19883@end smallexample
19884
19885@kindex maint set python print-stack
19886@item maint set python print-stack
19887By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
19888in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
19889python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
19890printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
19891disabled.
19892@end table
19893
19894It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
19895interpreter:
19896
19897@table @code
19898@item source @file{script-name}
19899The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
19900to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
19901the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
19902
19903@item python execfile ("script-name")
19904This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
19905and thus is always available.
19906@end table
19907
19908@node Python API
19909@subsection Python API
19910@cindex python api
19911@cindex programming in python
19912
19913@cindex python stdout
19914@cindex python pagination
19915At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
19916@code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
19917A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
19918output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
19919situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
19920
19921@menu
19922* Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
19923* Exception Handling::
19924* Values From Inferior::
19925* Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
19926* Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
19927* Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
19928* Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
19929* Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
19930* Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
19931* Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
19932* Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19933* Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
19934* Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
19935* Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
19936* Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
19937* Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
19938@end menu
19939
19940@node Basic Python
19941@subsubsection Basic Python
19942
19943@cindex python functions
19944@cindex python module
19945@cindex gdb module
19946@value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
19947methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
19948@value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
19949use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
19950
19951@findex gdb.execute
19952@defun execute command [from_tty]
19953Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
19954If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
19955translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
19956If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
19957
19958@var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
19959command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
19960It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
19961@end defun
19962
19963@findex gdb.breakpoints
19964@defun breakpoints
19965Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
19966@xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
19967@end defun
19968
19969@findex gdb.parameter
19970@defun parameter parameter
19971Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
19972string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
19973spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
19974@samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
19975
19976If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
19977@code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
19978a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
19979@end defun
19980
19981@findex gdb.history
19982@defun history number
19983Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
19984History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
19985If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
19986and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
19987find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
19988return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
19989doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
19990raised.
19991
19992If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
19993@code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
19994@end defun
19995
19996@findex gdb.parse_and_eval
19997@defun parse_and_eval expression
19998Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
19999evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20000@var{expression} must be a string.
20001
20002This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20003(@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20004command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20005compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20006convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20007@end defun
20008
20009@findex gdb.write
20010@defun write string
20011Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
20012Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20013call this function.
20014@end defun
20015
20016@findex gdb.flush
20017@defun flush
20018Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
20019@code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
20020function.
20021@end defun
20022
20023@findex gdb.target_charset
20024@defun target_charset
20025Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20026Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20027that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20028@end defun
20029
20030@findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20031@defun target_wide_charset
20032Return the name of the current target wide character set
20033(@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20034@code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20035never returned.
20036@end defun
20037
20038@node Exception Handling
20039@subsubsection Exception Handling
20040@cindex python exceptions
20041@cindex exceptions, python
20042
20043When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20044uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20045@value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20046@code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20047terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20048exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20049backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20050
20051@smallexample
20052(@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20053Traceback (most recent call last):
20054 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20055NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20056@end smallexample
20057
20058@value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
20059code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
20060interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
20061prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
20062exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
20063exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
20064@code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
20065message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
20066Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
20067traceback.
20068
20069@node Values From Inferior
20070@subsubsection Values From Inferior
20071@cindex values from inferior, with Python
20072@cindex python, working with values from inferior
20073
20074@cindex @code{gdb.Value}
20075@value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
20076an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
20077for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
20078fetching values when necessary.
20079
20080Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
20081Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
20082an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
20083
20084@smallexample
20085bar = some_val + 2
20086@end smallexample
20087
20088@noindent
20089As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
20090whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
20091
20092Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
20093be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
20094@code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
20095can access its @code{foo} element with:
20096
20097@smallexample
20098bar = some_val['foo']
20099@end smallexample
20100
20101Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
20102
20103The following attributes are provided:
20104
20105@table @code
20106@defivar Value address
20107If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
20108@code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
20109this attribute holds @code{None}.
20110@end defivar
20111
20112@cindex optimized out value in Python
20113@defivar Value is_optimized_out
20114This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
20115this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
20116@end defivar
20117
20118@defivar Value type
20119The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
20120@code{gdb.Type} object.
20121@end defivar
20122@end table
20123
20124The following methods are provided:
20125
20126@table @code
20127@defmethod Value cast type
20128Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
20129casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
20130be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
20131reason, this method throws an exception.
20132@end defmethod
20133
20134@defmethod Value dereference
20135For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
20136whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
20137@code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
20138
20139@smallexample
20140int *foo;
20141@end smallexample
20142
20143@noindent
20144then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
20145@code{foo} points to like this:
20146
20147@smallexample
20148bar = foo.dereference ()
20149@end smallexample
20150
20151The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
20152value pointed to by @code{foo}.
20153@end defmethod
20154
20155@defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20156If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20157converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
20158throw an exception.
20159
20160Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
20161@code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
20162language.
20163
20164For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
20165array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
20166by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
20167argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
20168ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
20169
20170If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20171naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
20172@code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
20173the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
20174@code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
20175to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
20176@var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
20177(@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
20178will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
20179
20180The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
20181argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
20182
20183If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20184fetched and converted to the given length.
20185@end defmethod
20186
20187@defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
20188If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
20189converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
20190In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
20191
20192If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
20193naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
20194@samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
20195@var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
20196recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
20197
20198When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
20199used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
20200@var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
20201@value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
20202the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
20203please see @ref{Character Sets}.
20204
20205If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
20206fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
20207the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
20208and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
20209@end defmethod
20210@end table
20211
20212@node Types In Python
20213@subsubsection Types In Python
20214@cindex types in Python
20215@cindex Python, working with types
20216
20217@tindex gdb.Type
20218@value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
20219@code{gdb.Type}.
20220
20221The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
20222module:
20223
20224@findex gdb.lookup_type
20225@defun lookup_type name [block]
20226This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
20227type to look up. It must be a string.
20228
20229If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20230Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20231
20232Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
20233If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
20234@end defun
20235
20236An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
20237
20238@table @code
20239@defivar Type code
20240The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
20241@code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
20242@end defivar
20243
20244@defivar Type sizeof
20245The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
20246target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
20247unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
20248@end defivar
20249
20250@defivar Type tag
20251The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
20252@code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
20253languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
20254@code{None} is returned.
20255@end defivar
20256@end table
20257
20258The following methods are provided:
20259
20260@table @code
20261@defmethod Type fields
20262For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
20263types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
20264have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
20265field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
20266represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
20267into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
20268
20269Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
20270@table @code
20271@item bitpos
20272This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
20273C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
20274position of the field.
20275
20276@item name
20277The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
20278
20279@item artificial
20280This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
20281it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
20282always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
20283
20284@item is_base_class
20285This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
20286structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
20287if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
20288@code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
20289
20290@item bitsize
20291If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
20292non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
20293this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
20294
20295@item type
20296The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
20297but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
20298@end table
20299@end defmethod
20300
20301@defmethod Type const
20302Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20303@code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
20304@end defmethod
20305
20306@defmethod Type volatile
20307Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
20308@code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
20309@end defmethod
20310
20311@defmethod Type unqualified
20312Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
20313variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
20314@code{volatile}.
20315@end defmethod
20316
20317@defmethod Type range
20318Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
20319low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
20320the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
20321@code{RuntimeError} exception.
20322@end defmethod
20323
20324@defmethod Type reference
20325Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
20326type.
20327@end defmethod
20328
20329@defmethod Type pointer
20330Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
20331type.
20332@end defmethod
20333
20334@defmethod Type strip_typedefs
20335Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
20336after removing all layers of typedefs.
20337@end defmethod
20338
20339@defmethod Type target
20340Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
20341of this type.
20342
20343For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
20344object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
20345the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
20346the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
20347the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
20348target type is the aliased type.
20349
20350If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
20351exception.
20352@end defmethod
20353
20354@defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
20355If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
20356return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
20357@var{n}th template argument.
20358
20359If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
20360exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
20361
20362If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
20363Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
20364@end defmethod
20365@end table
20366
20367
20368Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
20369into. The available type categories are represented by constants
20370defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20371
20372@table @code
20373@findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
20374@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
20375@item TYPE_CODE_PTR
20376The type is a pointer.
20377
20378@findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20379@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20380@item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
20381The type is an array.
20382
20383@findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20384@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20385@item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
20386The type is a structure.
20387
20388@findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
20389@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
20390@item TYPE_CODE_UNION
20391The type is a union.
20392
20393@findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20394@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20395@item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
20396The type is an enum.
20397
20398@findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20399@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20400@item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
20401A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
20402
20403@findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20404@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20405@item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
20406The type is a function.
20407
20408@findex TYPE_CODE_INT
20409@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
20410@item TYPE_CODE_INT
20411The type is an integer type.
20412
20413@findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
20414@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
20415@item TYPE_CODE_FLT
20416A floating point type.
20417
20418@findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
20419@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
20420@item TYPE_CODE_VOID
20421The special type @code{void}.
20422
20423@findex TYPE_CODE_SET
20424@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
20425@item TYPE_CODE_SET
20426A Pascal set type.
20427
20428@findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20429@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20430@item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
20431A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
20432
20433@findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
20434@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
20435@item TYPE_CODE_STRING
20436A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
20437language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
20438
20439@findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20440@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20441@item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
20442A string of bits.
20443
20444@findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20445@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20446@item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
20447An unknown or erroneous type.
20448
20449@findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20450@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20451@item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
20452A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
20453
20454@findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20455@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20456@item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
20457A pointer-to-member-function.
20458
20459@findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20460@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20461@item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
20462A pointer-to-member.
20463
20464@findex TYPE_CODE_REF
20465@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
20466@item TYPE_CODE_REF
20467A reference type.
20468
20469@findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20470@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20471@item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
20472A character type.
20473
20474@findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20475@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20476@item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
20477A boolean type.
20478
20479@findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20480@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20481@item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
20482A complex float type.
20483
20484@findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20485@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20486@item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
20487A typedef to some other type.
20488
20489@findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20490@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20491@item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
20492A C@t{++} namespace.
20493
20494@findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20495@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20496@item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
20497A decimal floating point type.
20498
20499@findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20500@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20501@item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
20502A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
20503convenience functions.
20504@end table
20505
20506@node Pretty Printing API
20507@subsubsection Pretty Printing API
20508
20509An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
20510
20511A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
20512specific interface, defined here.
20513
20514@defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
20515@value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
20516children of the pretty-printer's value.
20517
20518This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
20519protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
20520two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
20521second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
20522object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
20523
20524This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
20525as though the value has no children.
20526@end defop
20527
20528@defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
20529The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
20530formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
20531consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
20532printed.
20533
20534This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
20535string.
20536
20537Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
20538
20539@table @samp
20540@item array
20541Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
20542uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
20543@code{set print array}.
20544
20545@item map
20546Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
20547children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
20548values.
20549
20550@item string
20551Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
20552printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
20553kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
20554string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
20555adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
20556@code{set print elements}, and the like.
20557@end table
20558@end defop
20559
20560@defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
20561@value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
20562representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
20563
20564When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
20565then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
20566@code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
20567the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
20568depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
20569print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
20570the result of @code{children}.
20571
20572If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
20573
20574Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
20575then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
20576another pretty-printer.
20577
20578If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
20579@code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
20580the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
20581pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
20582strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
20583
20584Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
20585are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
20586
20587If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
20588@end defop
20589
20590@node Selecting Pretty-Printers
20591@subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
20592
20593The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
20594functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
20595Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
20596Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
20597attribute.
20598
20599A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
20600argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
20601interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
20602cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
20603@code{None}.
20604
20605@value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
20606@code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
20607each function in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives
20608a pretty-printer object.
20609If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
20610searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
20611calling each function until an object is returned.
20612After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
20613@code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
20614object is returned.
20615
20616The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
20617given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
20618and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
20619object is returned.
20620
20621Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
20622written:
20623
20624@smallexample
20625class StdStringPrinter:
20626 "Print a std::string"
20627
20628 def __init__ (self, val):
20629 self.val = val
20630
20631 def to_string (self):
20632 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
20633
20634 def display_hint (self):
20635 return 'string'
20636@end smallexample
20637
20638And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
20639example above might be written.
20640
20641@smallexample
20642def str_lookup_function (val):
20643
20644 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
20645 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
20646 if lookup_tag == None:
20647 return None
20648 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
20649 return StdStringPrinter (val)
20650
20651 return None
20652@end smallexample
20653
20654The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
20655match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
20656printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
20657returns @code{None}.
20658
20659We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
20660package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
20661further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
20662This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
20663your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
20664different names.
20665
20666You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
20667can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
20668ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
20669printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
20670the current objfile.
20671
20672Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
20673inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
20674Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
20675@value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
20676Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
20677because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
20678printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
20679printers for the specific version of the library used by each
20680inferior.
20681
20682To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
20683this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
20684
20685@smallexample
20686def register_printers (objfile):
20687 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
20688@end smallexample
20689
20690@noindent
20691And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
20692
20693@smallexample
20694import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
20695gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
20696@end smallexample
20697
20698@node Commands In Python
20699@subsubsection Commands In Python
20700
20701@cindex commands in python
20702@cindex python commands
20703You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
20704command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
20705class, most commonly using a subclass.
20706
20707@defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
20708The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
20709with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
20710subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
20711
20712@var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
20713multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
20714commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
20715an exception is raised.
20716
20717There is no support for multi-line commands.
20718
20719@var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
20720defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
20721new command in the help system.
20722
20723@var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
20724one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
20725tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
20726given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
20727@code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
20728error will occur when completion is attempted.
20729
20730@var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
20731command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
20732registered.
20733
20734The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
20735documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
20736documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
20737not documented.'' is used.
20738@end defmethod
20739
20740@cindex don't repeat Python command
20741@defmethod Command dont_repeat
20742By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
20743blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
20744behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
20745to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
20746@end defmethod
20747
20748@defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
20749This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
20750
20751@var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
20752leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
20753
20754@var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
20755command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
20756that the command came from elsewhere.
20757
20758If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
20759@code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
20760@end defmethod
20761
20762@cindex completion of Python commands
20763@defmethod Command complete text word
20764This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
20765completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
20766this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
20767(@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
20768complete}).
20769
20770The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
20771holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
20772@var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
20773using a word-breaking heuristic.
20774
20775The @code{complete} method can return several values:
20776@itemize @bullet
20777@item
20778If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
20779used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
20780contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
20781allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
20782string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
20783sequence are ignored.
20784
20785@item
20786If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
20787below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
20788function is invoked, and its result is used.
20789
20790@item
20791All other results are treated as though there were no available
20792completions.
20793@end itemize
20794@end defmethod
20795
20796When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
20797some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
20798commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
20799listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
20800command. The available classifications are represented by constants
20801defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20802
20803@table @code
20804@findex COMMAND_NONE
20805@findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
20806@item COMMAND_NONE
20807The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
20808this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
20809
20810@findex COMMAND_RUNNING
20811@findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
20812@item COMMAND_RUNNING
20813The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
20814@code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
20815Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20816commands in this category.
20817
20818@findex COMMAND_DATA
20819@findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
20820@item COMMAND_DATA
20821The command is related to data or variables. For example,
20822@code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
20823@kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
20824in this category.
20825
20826@findex COMMAND_STACK
20827@findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
20828@item COMMAND_STACK
20829The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
20830@code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
20831category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
20832list of commands in this category.
20833
20834@findex COMMAND_FILES
20835@findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
20836@item COMMAND_FILES
20837This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
20838@code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
20839Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20840commands in this category.
20841
20842@findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
20843@findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
20844@item COMMAND_SUPPORT
20845This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
20846things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
20847but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
20848@code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
20849@kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20850commands in this category.
20851
20852@findex COMMAND_STATUS
20853@findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
20854@item COMMAND_STATUS
20855The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
20856state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
20857and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
20858@value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
20859
20860@findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20861@findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20862@item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20863The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
20864@code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20865breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
20866this category.
20867
20868@findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20869@findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20870@item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20871The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
20872@code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
20873@kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20874commands in this category.
20875
20876@findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
20877@findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
20878@item COMMAND_OBSCURE
20879The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
20880general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
20881@code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20882obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
20883category.
20884
20885@findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20886@findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20887@item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20888The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
20889@code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
20890Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20891commands in this category.
20892@end table
20893
20894A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
20895specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
20896from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
20897constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20898
20899@table @code
20900@findex COMPLETE_NONE
20901@findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
20902@item COMPLETE_NONE
20903This constant means that no completion should be done.
20904
20905@findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
20906@findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
20907@item COMPLETE_FILENAME
20908This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
20909
20910@findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
20911@findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
20912@item COMPLETE_LOCATION
20913This constant means that location completion should be done.
20914@xref{Specify Location}.
20915
20916@findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
20917@findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
20918@item COMPLETE_COMMAND
20919This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
20920command names.
20921
20922@findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20923@findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20924@item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20925This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
20926as the source.
20927@end table
20928
20929The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
20930implemented in Python:
20931
20932@smallexample
20933class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20934 """Greet the whole world."""
20935
20936 def __init__ (self):
20937 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20938
20939 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
20940 print "Hello, World!"
20941
20942HelloWorld ()
20943@end smallexample
20944
20945The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20946registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20947Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20948@code{gdb} module explicitly.
20949
20950@node Functions In Python
20951@subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
20952
20953@cindex writing convenience functions
20954@cindex convenience functions in python
20955@cindex python convenience functions
20956@tindex gdb.Function
20957@tindex Function
20958You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
20959in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
20960class @code{gdb.Function}.
20961
20962@defmethod Function __init__ name
20963The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
20964@value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
20965a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
20966variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
20967the given @var{name}.
20968
20969The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
20970string for the new class.
20971@end defmethod
20972
20973@defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
20974When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
20975to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
20976@code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
20977predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
20978available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
20979standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
20980function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
20981
20982The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
20983expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
20984to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
20985@end defmethod
20986
20987The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
20988be implemented in Python:
20989
20990@smallexample
20991class Greet (gdb.Function):
20992 """Return string to greet someone.
20993Takes a name as argument."""
20994
20995 def __init__ (self):
20996 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
20997
20998 def invoke (self, name):
20999 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
21000
21001Greet ()
21002@end smallexample
21003
21004The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
21005registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
21006Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
21007@code{gdb} module explicitly.
21008
21009@node Progspaces In Python
21010@subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
21011
21012@cindex progspaces in python
21013@tindex gdb.Progspace
21014@tindex Progspace
21015A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
21016of an address space.
21017It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
21018@xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21019@xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
21020about program spaces.
21021
21022The following progspace-related functions are available in the
21023@code{gdb} module:
21024
21025@findex gdb.current_progspace
21026@defun current_progspace
21027This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
21028@xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
21029@end defun
21030
21031@findex gdb.progspaces
21032@defun progspaces
21033Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
21034@end defun
21035
21036Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
21037class.
21038
21039@defivar Progspace filename
21040The file name of the progspace as a string.
21041@end defivar
21042
21043@defivar Progspace pretty_printers
21044The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
21045used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
21046function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
21047search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
21048which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
21049information.
21050@end defivar
21051
21052@node Objfiles In Python
21053@subsubsection Objfiles In Python
21054
21055@cindex objfiles in python
21056@tindex gdb.Objfile
21057@tindex Objfile
21058@value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
21059symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
21060executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
21061separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
21062@value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
21063
21064The following objfile-related functions are available in the
21065@code{gdb} module:
21066
21067@findex gdb.current_objfile
21068@defun current_objfile
21069When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
21070sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
21071function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
21072this function returns @code{None}.
21073@end defun
21074
21075@findex gdb.objfiles
21076@defun objfiles
21077Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
21078@xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21079@end defun
21080
21081Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
21082class.
21083
21084@defivar Objfile filename
21085The file name of the objfile as a string.
21086@end defivar
21087
21088@defivar Objfile pretty_printers
21089The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
21090used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
21091function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
21092search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
21093which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
21094information.
21095@end defivar
21096
21097@node Frames In Python
21098@subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
21099
21100@cindex frames in python
21101When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
21102stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
21103represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
21104while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
21105to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
21106exception.
21107
21108Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
21109operator, like:
21110
21111@smallexample
21112(@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
21113True
21114@end smallexample
21115
21116The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
21117
21118@findex gdb.selected_frame
21119@defun selected_frame
21120Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
21121@end defun
21122
21123@defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
21124Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
21125frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
21126@code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
21127@end defun
21128
21129A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
21130
21131@table @code
21132@defmethod Frame is_valid
21133Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
21134A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
21135exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
21136an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
21137@end defmethod
21138
21139@defmethod Frame name
21140Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
21141obtained.
21142@end defmethod
21143
21144@defmethod Frame type
21145Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
21146@code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
21147or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
21148@end defmethod
21149
21150@defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
21151Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
21152more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
21153@code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
21154function to a string.
21155@end defmethod
21156
21157@defmethod Frame pc
21158Returns the frame's resume address.
21159@end defmethod
21160
21161@defmethod Frame block
21162Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
21163@end defmethod
21164
21165@defmethod Frame function
21166Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
21167@xref{Symbols In Python}.
21168@end defmethod
21169
21170@defmethod Frame older
21171Return the frame that called this frame.
21172@end defmethod
21173
21174@defmethod Frame newer
21175Return the frame called by this frame.
21176@end defmethod
21177
21178@defmethod Frame find_sal
21179Return the frame's symtab and line object.
21180@xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
21181@end defmethod
21182
21183@defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
21184Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
21185argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
21186block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
21187determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
21188must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
21189@code{gdb.Block} object.
21190@end defmethod
21191
21192@defmethod Frame select
21193Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
21194Stack}.
21195@end defmethod
21196@end table
21197
21198@node Blocks In Python
21199@subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
21200
21201@cindex blocks in python
21202@tindex gdb.Block
21203
21204Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
21205stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
21206are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
21207Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
21208frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
21209detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
21210stack.
21211
21212The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21213module:
21214
21215@findex gdb.block_for_pc
21216@defun block_for_pc pc
21217Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
21218block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
21219will return @code{None}.
21220@end defun
21221
21222A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
21223
21224@table @code
21225@defivar Block start
21226The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
21227@end defivar
21228
21229@defivar Block end
21230The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
21231@end defivar
21232
21233@defivar Block function
21234The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
21235block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
21236attribute is not writable.
21237@end defivar
21238
21239@defivar Block superblock
21240The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
21241this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21242@end defivar
21243@end table
21244
21245@node Symbols In Python
21246@subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
21247
21248@cindex symbols in python
21249@tindex gdb.Symbol
21250
21251@value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
21252entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
21253Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
21254@code{gdb.Symbol} object.
21255
21256The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21257module:
21258
21259@findex gdb.lookup_symbol
21260@defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
21261This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
21262restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
21263arguments.
21264
21265@var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
21266optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
21267in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
21268@code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
21269the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
21270domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
21271in this chapter.
21272@end defun
21273
21274A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
21275
21276@table @code
21277@defivar Symbol symtab
21278The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
21279represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
21280Python}. This attribute is not writable.
21281@end defivar
21282
21283@defivar Symbol name
21284The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
21285@end defivar
21286
21287@defivar Symbol linkage_name
21288The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
21289This attribute is not writable.
21290@end defivar
21291
21292@defivar Symbol print_name
21293The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
21294@code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
21295asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
21296@end defivar
21297
21298@defivar Symbol addr_class
21299The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
21300of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
21301@code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
21302@end defivar
21303
21304@defivar Symbol is_argument
21305@code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
21306@end defivar
21307
21308@defivar Symbol is_constant
21309@code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
21310@end defivar
21311
21312@defivar Symbol is_function
21313@code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
21314@end defivar
21315
21316@defivar Symbol is_variable
21317@code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
21318@end defivar
21319@end table
21320
21321The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21322as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21323
21324@table @code
21325@findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21326@findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21327@item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
21328This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
21329following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
21330in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21331@findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21332@findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21333@item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
21334This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
21335type values.
21336@findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21337@findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21338@item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
21339This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
21340@findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21341@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21342@item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
21343This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
21344@findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21345@findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21346@item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
21347This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
21348contains everything minus functions and types.
21349@findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21350@findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
21351@item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
21352This domain contains all functions.
21353@findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21354@findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21355@item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
21356This domain contains all types.
21357@end table
21358
21359The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
21360as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
21361
21362@table @code
21363@findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21364@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21365@item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
21366If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
21367the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
21368@findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21369@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21370@item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
21371Value is constant int.
21372@findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21373@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21374@item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
21375Value is at a fixed address.
21376@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21377@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21378@item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
21379Value is in a register.
21380@findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21381@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21382@item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
21383Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
21384symbol inside the frame's argument list.
21385@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21386@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21387@item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
21388Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
21389@code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
21390offset, not the value itself.
21391@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21392@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21393@item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
21394Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
21395the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
21396itself.
21397@findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21398@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21399@item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
21400Value is a local variable.
21401@findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21402@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21403@item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
21404Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
21405have this class.
21406@findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21407@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21408@item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
21409Value is a block.
21410@findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21411@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21412@item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
21413Value is a byte-sequence.
21414@findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21415@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21416@item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
21417Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
21418determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
21419referenced.
21420@findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21421@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21422@item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
21423The value does not actually exist in the program.
21424@findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21425@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21426@item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
21427The value's address is a computed location.
21428@end table
21429
21430@node Symbol Tables In Python
21431@subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
21432
21433@cindex symbol tables in python
21434@tindex gdb.Symtab
21435@tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
21436
21437Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
21438is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
21439@code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
21440from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
21441@xref{Frames In Python}.
21442
21443For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
21444@ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
21445
21446A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
21447
21448@table @code
21449@defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
21450The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
21451This attribute is not writable.
21452@end defivar
21453
21454@defivar Symtab_and_line pc
21455Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
21456writable.
21457@end defivar
21458
21459@defivar Symtab_and_line line
21460Indicates the current line number for this object. This
21461attribute is not writable.
21462@end defivar
21463@end table
21464
21465A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
21466
21467@table @code
21468@defivar Symtab filename
21469The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
21470@end defivar
21471
21472@defivar Symtab objfile
21473The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
21474This attribute is not writable.
21475@end defivar
21476@end table
21477
21478The following methods are provided:
21479
21480@table @code
21481@defmethod Symtab fullname
21482Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
21483@end defmethod
21484@end table
21485
21486@node Breakpoints In Python
21487@subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
21488
21489@cindex breakpoints in python
21490@tindex gdb.Breakpoint
21491
21492Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
21493class.
21494
21495@defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]}
21496Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
21497location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
21498watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
21499@code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
21500command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
21501from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
21502either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
21503defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{wp_class}
21504argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
21505defined as @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not
21506provided, it is assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
21507@end defmethod
21508
21509The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
21510@code{gdb} module:
21511
21512@table @code
21513@findex WP_READ
21514@findex gdb.WP_READ
21515@item WP_READ
21516Read only watchpoint.
21517
21518@findex WP_WRITE
21519@findex gdb.WP_WRITE
21520@item WP_WRITE
21521Write only watchpoint.
21522
21523@findex WP_ACCESS
21524@findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
21525@item WP_ACCESS
21526Read/Write watchpoint.
21527@end table
21528
21529@defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
21530Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
21531@code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
21532if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
21533exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
21534watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
21535inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
21536@end defmethod
21537
21538@defivar Breakpoint enabled
21539This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
21540@code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
21541@end defivar
21542
21543@defivar Breakpoint silent
21544This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
21545@code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
21546
21547Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
21548first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
21549@code{silent} attribute.
21550@end defivar
21551
21552@defivar Breakpoint thread
21553If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
21554id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
21555@code{None}. This attribute is writable.
21556@end defivar
21557
21558@defivar Breakpoint task
21559If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
21560id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
21561language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
21562is writable.
21563@end defivar
21564
21565@defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
21566This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
21567This attribute is writable.
21568@end defivar
21569
21570@defivar Breakpoint number
21571This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
21572the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
21573@end defivar
21574
21575@defivar Breakpoint type
21576This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
21577determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
21578writable.
21579@end defivar
21580
21581The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
21582module:
21583
21584@table @code
21585@findex BP_BREAKPOINT
21586@findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
21587@item BP_BREAKPOINT
21588Normal code breakpoint.
21589
21590@findex BP_WATCHPOINT
21591@findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
21592@item BP_WATCHPOINT
21593Watchpoint breakpoint.
21594
21595@findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
21596@findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
21597@item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
21598Hardware assisted watchpoint.
21599
21600@findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
21601@findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
21602@item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
21603Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
21604
21605@findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
21606@findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
21607@item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
21608Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
21609@end table
21610
21611@defivar Breakpoint hit_count
21612This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
21613This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
21614@end defivar
21615
21616@defivar Breakpoint location
21617This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
21618the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
21619(that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
21620attribute is not writable.
21621@end defivar
21622
21623@defivar Breakpoint expression
21624This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
21625the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
21626expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
21627is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21628@end defivar
21629
21630@defivar Breakpoint condition
21631This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
21632the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
21633value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
21634@end defivar
21635
21636@defivar Breakpoint commands
21637This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
21638there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
21639commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
21640attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
21641@end defivar
21642
21643@node Lazy Strings In Python
21644@subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
21645
21646@cindex lazy strings in python
21647@tindex gdb.LazyString
21648
21649A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
21650encoded until it is needed.
21651
21652A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
21653@code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
21654that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
21655to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
21656difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
21657a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
21658differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
21659retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
21660wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
21661
21662A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
21663
21664@defmethod LazyString value
21665Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
21666will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
21667retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
21668@code{gdb.LazyString}.
21669@end defmethod
21670
21671@defivar LazyString address
21672This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
21673writable.
21674@end defivar
21675
21676@defivar LazyString length
21677This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
21678length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
21679first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
21680@end defivar
21681
21682@defivar LazyString encoding
21683This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
21684when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
21685set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
21686most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
21687is not writable.
21688@end defivar
21689
21690@defivar LazyString type
21691This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
21692type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
21693resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
21694@code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
21695writable.
21696@end defivar
21697
21698@node Auto-loading
21699@subsection Auto-loading
21700@cindex auto-loading, Python
21701
21702When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
21703command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
21704@value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
21705@file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
21706
21707@menu
21708* objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
21709* .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
21710* Which flavor to choose?::
21711@end menu
21712
21713The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
21714debugging commands and scripts.
21715
21716Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
21717
21718@table @code
21719@kindex maint set python auto-load
21720@item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
21721Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
21722
21723@kindex maint show python auto-load
21724@item maint show python auto-load
21725Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
21726@end table
21727
21728When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
21729@dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
21730function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
21731registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
21732
21733@node objfile-gdb.py file
21734@subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
21735@cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
21736
21737When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
21738a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
21739where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
21740that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
21741@code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
21742readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
21743
21744If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
21745@code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
21746then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
21747directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
21748
21749Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
21750a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
21751@var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
21752@code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
21753is the object file's real name, as described above.
21754
21755@value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
21756@value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
21757@var{objfile} is opened.
21758So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
21759is evaluated more than once.
21760
21761@node .debug_gdb_scripts section
21762@subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
21763@cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
21764
21765For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
21766when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
21767it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
21768If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
21769
21770@value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
21771current directory and then along the source search path
21772(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
21773except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
21774directory is not relevant to scripts.
21775
21776Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
21777for example, this GCC macro:
21778
21779@example
21780/* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remote duplicates. */
21781#define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
21782 asm("\
21783.pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
21784.byte 1\n\
21785.asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
21786.popsection \n\
21787");
21788@end example
21789
21790@noindent
21791Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
21792
21793@example
21794DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
21795@end example
21796
21797The script name may include directories if desired.
21798
21799If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
21800using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
21801
21802@node Which flavor to choose?
21803@subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
21804
21805Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
21806be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
21807
21808Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
21809
21810@itemize @bullet
21811@item
21812Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
21813
21814@item
21815Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
21816
21817Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
21818in the source search path.
21819For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
21820isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
21821
21822@item
21823Doesn't require source code additions.
21824@end itemize
21825
21826Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
21827
21828@itemize @bullet
21829@item
21830Works with static linking.
21831
21832Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
21833trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
21834objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
21835scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
21836
21837@item
21838Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
21839
21840Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
21841shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
21842
21843@item
21844Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
21845
21846In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
21847libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
21848@file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
21849cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
21850@code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
21851top of the source tree to the source search path.
21852@end itemize
21853
21854@node Interpreters
21855@chapter Command Interpreters
21856@cindex command interpreters
21857
21858@value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
21859infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
21860between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
21861
21862@value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
21863interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
21864and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
21865describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
21866
21867By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
21868However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
21869interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
21870startup options. Defined interpreters include:
21871
21872@table @code
21873@item console
21874@cindex console interpreter
21875The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
21876used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
21877@value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
21878
21879@item mi
21880@cindex mi interpreter
21881The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
21882by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
21883or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
21884Interface}.
21885
21886@item mi2
21887@cindex mi2 interpreter
21888The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
21889
21890@item mi1
21891@cindex mi1 interpreter
21892The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
21893
21894@end table
21895
21896@cindex invoke another interpreter
21897The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
21898switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
21899precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
21900enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
21901@value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
21902the IDE inoperable!
21903
21904@kindex interpreter-exec
21905Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
21906commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
21907command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
21908@code{interpreter-exec} command:
21909
21910@smallexample
21911interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
21912@end smallexample
21913
21914@sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
21915@value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
21916
21917@node TUI
21918@chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
21919@cindex TUI
21920@cindex Text User Interface
21921
21922@menu
21923* TUI Overview:: TUI overview
21924* TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
21925* TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
21926* TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
21927* TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
21928@end menu
21929
21930The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
21931interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
21932file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
21933commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
21934on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
21935is available.
21936
21937@pindex @value{GDBTUI}
21938The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
21939either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
21940You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
21941using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
21942@xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
21943
21944@node TUI Overview
21945@section TUI Overview
21946
21947In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
21948
21949@table @emph
21950@item command
21951This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
21952prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
21953managed using readline.
21954
21955@item source
21956The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
21957line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
21958
21959@item assembly
21960The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
21961
21962@item register
21963This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
21964when their values change.
21965@end table
21966
21967The source and assembly windows show the current program position
21968by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
21969Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
21970indicates the breakpoint type:
21971
21972@table @code
21973@item B
21974Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
21975
21976@item b
21977Breakpoint which was never hit.
21978
21979@item H
21980Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
21981
21982@item h
21983Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
21984@end table
21985
21986The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
21987
21988@table @code
21989@item +
21990Breakpoint is enabled.
21991
21992@item -
21993Breakpoint is disabled.
21994@end table
21995
21996The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
21997thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
21998changes.
21999
22000These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
22001window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
22002layouts:
22003
22004@itemize @bullet
22005@item
22006source only,
22007
22008@item
22009assembly only,
22010
22011@item
22012source and assembly,
22013
22014@item
22015source and registers, or
22016
22017@item
22018assembly and registers.
22019@end itemize
22020
22021A status line above the command window shows the following information:
22022
22023@table @emph
22024@item target
22025Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
22026(@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
22027
22028@item process
22029Gives the current process or thread number.
22030When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
22031
22032@item function
22033Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
22034The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
22035When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
22036the string @code{??} is displayed.
22037
22038@item line
22039Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
22040When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
22041
22042@item pc
22043Indicates the current program counter address.
22044@end table
22045
22046@node TUI Keys
22047@section TUI Key Bindings
22048@cindex TUI key bindings
22049
22050The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
22051(@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
22052are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
22053
22054@table @kbd
22055@kindex C-x C-a
22056@item C-x C-a
22057@kindex C-x a
22058@itemx C-x a
22059@kindex C-x A
22060@itemx C-x A
22061Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
22062the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
22063its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
22064the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
22065The screen is then refreshed.
22066
22067@kindex C-x 1
22068@item C-x 1
22069Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
22070either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
22071is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
22072
22073Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
22074
22075@kindex C-x 2
22076@item C-x 2
22077Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
22078layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
22079When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
22080previous layout and the new one.
22081
22082Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
22083
22084@kindex C-x o
22085@item C-x o
22086Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
22087(like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
22088gives the focus to the next TUI window.
22089
22090Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
22091
22092@kindex C-x s
22093@item C-x s
22094Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
22095keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
22096@end table
22097
22098The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
22099
22100@table @asis
22101@kindex PgUp
22102@item @key{PgUp}
22103Scroll the active window one page up.
22104
22105@kindex PgDn
22106@item @key{PgDn}
22107Scroll the active window one page down.
22108
22109@kindex Up
22110@item @key{Up}
22111Scroll the active window one line up.
22112
22113@kindex Down
22114@item @key{Down}
22115Scroll the active window one line down.
22116
22117@kindex Left
22118@item @key{Left}
22119Scroll the active window one column left.
22120
22121@kindex Right
22122@item @key{Right}
22123Scroll the active window one column right.
22124
22125@kindex C-L
22126@item @kbd{C-L}
22127Refresh the screen.
22128@end table
22129
22130Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
22131are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
22132window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
22133other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
22134and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
22135
22136@node TUI Single Key Mode
22137@section TUI Single Key Mode
22138@cindex TUI single key mode
22139
22140The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
22141frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
22142switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
22143
22144@table @kbd
22145@kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22146@item c
22147continue
22148
22149@kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22150@item d
22151down
22152
22153@kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22154@item f
22155finish
22156
22157@kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22158@item n
22159next
22160
22161@kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22162@item q
22163exit the SingleKey mode.
22164
22165@kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22166@item r
22167run
22168
22169@kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22170@item s
22171step
22172
22173@kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22174@item u
22175up
22176
22177@kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22178@item v
22179info locals
22180
22181@kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
22182@item w
22183where
22184@end table
22185
22186Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22187The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
22188it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
22189with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
22190SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
22191this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
22192
22193
22194@node TUI Commands
22195@section TUI-specific Commands
22196@cindex TUI commands
22197
22198The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
22199These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
22200the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
22201of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
22202
22203Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
22204terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
22205interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
22206these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
22207possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
22208
22209@table @code
22210@item info win
22211@kindex info win
22212List and give the size of all displayed windows.
22213
22214@item layout next
22215@kindex layout
22216Display the next layout.
22217
22218@item layout prev
22219Display the previous layout.
22220
22221@item layout src
22222Display the source window only.
22223
22224@item layout asm
22225Display the assembly window only.
22226
22227@item layout split
22228Display the source and assembly window.
22229
22230@item layout regs
22231Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
22232
22233@item focus next
22234@kindex focus
22235Make the next window active for scrolling.
22236
22237@item focus prev
22238Make the previous window active for scrolling.
22239
22240@item focus src
22241Make the source window active for scrolling.
22242
22243@item focus asm
22244Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
22245
22246@item focus regs
22247Make the register window active for scrolling.
22248
22249@item focus cmd
22250Make the command window active for scrolling.
22251
22252@item refresh
22253@kindex refresh
22254Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
22255
22256@item tui reg float
22257@kindex tui reg
22258Show the floating point registers in the register window.
22259
22260@item tui reg general
22261Show the general registers in the register window.
22262
22263@item tui reg next
22264Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
22265their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
22266following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
22267@code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
22268
22269@item tui reg system
22270Show the system registers in the register window.
22271
22272@item update
22273@kindex update
22274Update the source window and the current execution point.
22275
22276@item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
22277@itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
22278@kindex winheight
22279Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
22280lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
22281decrease it.
22282
22283@item tabset @var{nchars}
22284@kindex tabset
22285Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
22286@end table
22287
22288@node TUI Configuration
22289@section TUI Configuration Variables
22290@cindex TUI configuration variables
22291
22292Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
22293
22294@table @code
22295@item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
22296@kindex set tui border-kind
22297Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
22298The possible values are the following:
22299@table @code
22300@item space
22301Use a space character to draw the border.
22302
22303@item ascii
22304Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
22305
22306@item acs
22307Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
22308drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
22309@end table
22310
22311@item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
22312@kindex set tui border-mode
22313@itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
22314@kindex set tui active-border-mode
22315Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
22316or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
22317@table @code
22318@item normal
22319Use normal attributes to display the border.
22320
22321@item standout
22322Use standout mode.
22323
22324@item reverse
22325Use reverse video mode.
22326
22327@item half
22328Use half bright mode.
22329
22330@item half-standout
22331Use half bright and standout mode.
22332
22333@item bold
22334Use extra bright or bold mode.
22335
22336@item bold-standout
22337Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
22338@end table
22339@end table
22340
22341@node Emacs
22342@chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
22343
22344@cindex Emacs
22345@cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
22346A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
22347edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
22348@value{GDBN}.
22349
22350To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
22351executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
22352@value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
22353created Emacs buffer.
22354@c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
22355
22356Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
22357things:
22358
22359@itemize @bullet
22360@item
22361All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
22362the GUD buffer.
22363
22364This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
22365and output done by the program you are debugging.
22366
22367This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
22368commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
22369in this way.
22370
22371All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
22372with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
22373way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
22374stop.
22375
22376@item
22377@value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
22378
22379Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
22380source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
22381left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
22382source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
22383and the source.
22384
22385Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
22386usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
22387@end itemize
22388
22389We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
22390a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
22391that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
22392@xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
22393
22394If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
22395gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
22396your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
22397sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
22398with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
22399program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
22400some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
22401@value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
22402buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
22403
22404The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
22405line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
22406that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
22407,Commands to Specify Files}.
22408
22409By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
22410need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
22411keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
22412customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
22413one you want.
22414
22415In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
22416addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
22417
22418@table @kbd
22419@item C-h m
22420Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
22421
22422@item C-c C-s
22423Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
22424update the display window to show the current file and location.
22425
22426@item C-c C-n
22427Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
22428calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
22429to show the current file and location.
22430
22431@item C-c C-i
22432Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
22433display window accordingly.
22434
22435@item C-c C-f
22436Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
22437@code{finish} command.
22438
22439@item C-c C-r
22440Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
22441command.
22442
22443@item C-c <
22444Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
22445(@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
22446like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
22447
22448@item C-c >
22449Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
22450@value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
22451@end table
22452
22453In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
22454tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
22455
22456In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
22457separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
22458Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
22459become the current frame and display the associated source in the
22460source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
22461selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
22462speedbar displays watch expressions.
22463
22464If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
22465it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
22466request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
22467the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
22468frame.
22469
22470The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
22471which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
22472the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
22473communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
22474delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
22475to correspond properly with the code.
22476
22477A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
22478given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
22479Emacs Manual}).
22480
22481@c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
22482@c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
22483@ignore
22484@kindex Emacs Epoch environment
22485@kindex Epoch
22486@kindex inspect
22487
22488Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
22489called the @code{epoch}
22490environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
22491@code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
22492each value is printed in its own window.
22493@end ignore
22494
22495
22496@node GDB/MI
22497@chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
22498
22499@unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
22500
22501@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
22502@sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
22503@value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
22504@option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
22505is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
22506use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
22507
22508This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
22509in the form of a reference manual.
22510
22511Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
22512features described below are incomplete and subject to change
22513(@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
22514
22515@unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
22516
22517@cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
22518This chapter uses the following notation:
22519
22520@itemize @bullet
22521@item
22522@code{|} separates two alternatives.
22523
22524@item
22525@code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
22526it may or may not be given.
22527
22528@item
22529@code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
22530may repeat zero or more times.
22531
22532@item
22533@code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
22534may repeat one or more times.
22535
22536@item
22537@code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
22538@end itemize
22539
22540@ignore
22541@heading Dependencies
22542@end ignore
22543
22544@menu
22545* GDB/MI General Design::
22546* GDB/MI Command Syntax::
22547* GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
22548* GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
22549* GDB/MI Output Records::
22550* GDB/MI Simple Examples::
22551* GDB/MI Command Description Format::
22552* GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
22553* GDB/MI Program Context::
22554* GDB/MI Thread Commands::
22555* GDB/MI Program Execution::
22556* GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
22557* GDB/MI Variable Objects::
22558* GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
22559* GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
22560* GDB/MI Symbol Query::
22561* GDB/MI File Commands::
22562@ignore
22563* GDB/MI Kod Commands::
22564* GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
22565* GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
22566@end ignore
22567* GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
22568* GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
22569* GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
22570@end menu
22571
22572@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22573@node GDB/MI General Design
22574@section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
22575@cindex GDB/MI General Design
22576
22577Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
22578parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
22579and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
22580indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
22581For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
22582requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
22583response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
22584Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
22585target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
22586a command and reported as part of that command response.
22587
22588The important examples of notifications are:
22589@itemize @bullet
22590
22591@item
22592Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
22593target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
22594be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
22595commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
22596different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
22597happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
22598command itself was successfully executed.
22599
22600@item
22601Console output, and status notifications. Console output
22602notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
22603diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
22604report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
22605this information in command response would mean no output is produced
22606until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
22607
22608@item
22609General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
22610the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
22611a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
22612be included in command response, using notification allows for more
22613orthogonal frontend design.
22614
22615@end itemize
22616
22617There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
22618@value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
22619the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
22620processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
22621we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
22622the user interface.
22623
22624
22625@menu
22626* Context management::
22627* Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
22628* Thread groups::
22629@end menu
22630
22631@node Context management
22632@subsection Context management
22633
22634In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
22635done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
22636Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
22637be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
22638and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
22639because a command line user would not want to specify that information
22640explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
22641@value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
22642to what thread and frame are the current ones.
22643
22644In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
22645useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
22646itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
22647each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
22648want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
22649increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
22650frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
22651should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
22652make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
22653@samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
22654for thread and frame to operate on.
22655
22656Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
22657a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
22658operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
22659current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
22660it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
22661another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
22662the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
22663one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
22664change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
22665No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
22666
22667Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
22668frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
22669right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
22670simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
22671before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
22672to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
22673if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
22674thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
22675optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
22676sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
22677selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
22678change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
22679problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
22680all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
22681right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
22682@samp{--frame} options.
22683
22684@node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
22685@subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
22686
22687On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
22688even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
22689command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
22690specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
22691@code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
22692either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
22693frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
22694find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
22695@code{-list-target-features} command.
22696
22697Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
22698many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
22699running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
22700when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
22701it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
22702are running.
22703
22704When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
22705target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
22706some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
22707stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
22708modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
22709that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
22710@code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
22711context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
22712stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
22713@samp{--thread} option).
22714
22715Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
22716highly target dependent. However, the two commands
22717@code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
22718to find the state of a thread, will always work.
22719
22720@node Thread groups
22721@subsection Thread groups
22722@value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
22723On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
22724hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
22725processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
22726mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
22727
22728The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
22729target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
22730accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
22731thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
22732neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
22733current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
22734that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
22735into processes.
22736
22737To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
22738hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
22739@dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
22740thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
22741and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
22742command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
22743thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
22744debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
22745to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
22746the members of specific thread group.
22747
22748To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
22749wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
22750introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
22751@value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
22752@code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
22753groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
22754In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
22755after attaching to that thread group.
22756
22757Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
22758Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
22759type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
22760such thread groups.
22761
22762@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22763@node GDB/MI Command Syntax
22764@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
22765
22766@menu
22767* GDB/MI Input Syntax::
22768* GDB/MI Output Syntax::
22769@end menu
22770
22771@node GDB/MI Input Syntax
22772@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
22773
22774@cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
22775@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
22776@table @code
22777@item @var{command} @expansion{}
22778@code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
22779
22780@item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
22781@code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
22782@var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22783
22784@item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
22785@code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
22786@code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
22787
22788@item @var{token} @expansion{}
22789"any sequence of digits"
22790
22791@item @var{option} @expansion{}
22792@code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
22793
22794@item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
22795@code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
22796
22797@item @var{operation} @expansion{}
22798@emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
22799
22800@item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
22801@emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
22802"-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
22803
22804@item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
22805@code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
22806
22807@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
22808@code{CR | CR-LF}
22809@end table
22810
22811@noindent
22812Notes:
22813
22814@itemize @bullet
22815@item
22816The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
22817output is described below.
22818
22819@item
22820The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
22821finishes.
22822
22823@item
22824Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
22825list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
22826followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
22827parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
22828@samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
22829@end itemize
22830
22831Pragmatics:
22832
22833@itemize @bullet
22834@item
22835We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
22836
22837@item
22838We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
22839@end itemize
22840
22841@node GDB/MI Output Syntax
22842@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
22843
22844@cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
22845@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
22846The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
22847followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
22848is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
22849terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
22850
22851If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
22852corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
22853@var{token}.
22854
22855@table @code
22856@item @var{output} @expansion{}
22857@code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
22858
22859@item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
22860@code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
22861
22862@item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
22863@code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
22864
22865@item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
22866@code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
22867
22868@item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
22869@code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
22870
22871@item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
22872@code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
22873
22874@item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
22875@code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
22876
22877@item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
22878@code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
22879
22880@item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
22881@code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
22882
22883@item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
22884@code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
22885depending on the needs---this is still in development).
22886
22887@item @var{result} @expansion{}
22888@code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
22889
22890@item @var{variable} @expansion{}
22891@code{ @var{string} }
22892
22893@item @var{value} @expansion{}
22894@code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
22895
22896@item @var{const} @expansion{}
22897@code{@var{c-string}}
22898
22899@item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
22900@code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
22901
22902@item @var{list} @expansion{}
22903@code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
22904@var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
22905
22906@item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
22907@code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
22908
22909@item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
22910@code{"~" @var{c-string}}
22911
22912@item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
22913@code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
22914
22915@item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
22916@code{"&" @var{c-string}}
22917
22918@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
22919@code{CR | CR-LF}
22920
22921@item @var{token} @expansion{}
22922@emph{any sequence of digits}.
22923@end table
22924
22925@noindent
22926Notes:
22927
22928@itemize @bullet
22929@item
22930All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
22931
22932@item
22933The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
22934for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
22935may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
22936output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
22937all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
22938target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
22939prior command.
22940
22941@item
22942@cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22943@var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
22944progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
22945prefixed by @samp{+}.
22946
22947@item
22948@cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22949@var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
22950(stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
22951@samp{*}.
22952
22953@item
22954@cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22955@var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
22956client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
22957output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
22958
22959@item
22960@cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22961@var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
22962console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
22963output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
22964
22965@item
22966@cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22967@var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
22968All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
22969
22970@item
22971@cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22972@var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
22973instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
22974the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
22975
22976@item
22977@cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
22978New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
22979@var{values}.
22980
22981
22982@end itemize
22983
22984@xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
22985details about the various output records.
22986
22987@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22988@node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
22989@section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
22990
22991@cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
22992@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
22993
22994For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
22995but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
22996that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
22997command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
22998@code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
22999@samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
23000
23001This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
23002recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
23003(@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
23004
23005@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23006@node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
23007@section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
23008@cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
23009
23010The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
23011program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
23012
23013Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
23014by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
23015to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
23016section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
23017might change.
23018
23019Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
23020for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
23021list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
23022parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
23023
23024@itemize @bullet
23025@item
23026New MI commands may be added.
23027
23028@item
23029New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
23030
23031@item
23032The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
23033@code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
23034
23035@c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
23036@c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
23037
23038@c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
23039@c resolve inconsistencies.
23040@end itemize
23041
23042If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
23043will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
23044output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
23045@value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
23046responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
23047
23048@c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
23049@c version?
23050
23051The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
23052end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
23053follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
23054@email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
23055@cindex mailing lists
23056
23057@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23058@node GDB/MI Output Records
23059@section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
23060
23061@menu
23062* GDB/MI Result Records::
23063* GDB/MI Stream Records::
23064* GDB/MI Async Records::
23065* GDB/MI Frame Information::
23066* GDB/MI Thread Information::
23067@end menu
23068
23069@node GDB/MI Result Records
23070@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
23071
23072@cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23073@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
23074In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
23075@sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
23076
23077@table @code
23078@findex ^done
23079@item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
23080The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
23081values.
23082
23083@item "^running"
23084@findex ^running
23085This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
23086was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
23087target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
23088all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
23089identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
23090which threads are resumed.
23091
23092@item "^connected"
23093@findex ^connected
23094@value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
23095
23096@item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
23097@findex ^error
23098The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
23099error message.
23100
23101@item "^exit"
23102@findex ^exit
23103@value{GDBN} has terminated.
23104
23105@end table
23106
23107@node GDB/MI Stream Records
23108@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
23109
23110@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
23111@cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23112@value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
23113target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
23114funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
23115
23116Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
23117identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
23118Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
23119@code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
23120line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
23121
23122@table @code
23123@item "~" @var{string-output}
23124The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
23125CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
23126
23127@item "@@" @var{string-output}
23128The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
23129target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
23130asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
23131
23132@item "&" @var{string-output}
23133The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
23134internals.
23135@end table
23136
23137@node GDB/MI Async Records
23138@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
23139
23140@cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
23141@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
23142@dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
23143additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
23144consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
23145target activity (e.g., target stopped).
23146
23147The following is the list of possible async records:
23148
23149@table @code
23150
23151@item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
23152The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
23153specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
23154are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
23155running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
23156The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
23157only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
23158several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
23159all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
23160be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
23161
23162@item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
23163The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
23164following values:
23165
23166@table @code
23167@item breakpoint-hit
23168A breakpoint was reached.
23169@item watchpoint-trigger
23170A watchpoint was triggered.
23171@item read-watchpoint-trigger
23172A read watchpoint was triggered.
23173@item access-watchpoint-trigger
23174An access watchpoint was triggered.
23175@item function-finished
23176An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
23177@item location-reached
23178An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
23179@item watchpoint-scope
23180A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
23181@item end-stepping-range
23182An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
23183similar CLI command was accomplished.
23184@item exited-signalled
23185The inferior exited because of a signal.
23186@item exited
23187The inferior exited.
23188@item exited-normally
23189The inferior exited normally.
23190@item signal-received
23191A signal was received by the inferior.
23192@end table
23193
23194The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
23195-- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
23196mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
23197stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
23198If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
23199value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
23200field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
23201always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
23202several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
23203processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
23204if such information is not available.
23205
23206@item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
23207@itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
23208A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
23209contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
23210group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
23211process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
23212cannot be used in any way.
23213
23214@item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
23215A thread group became associated with a running program,
23216either because the program was just started or the thread group
23217was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
23218@value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
23219contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
23220
23221@itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
23222A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
23223either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
23224from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
23225thread group.
23226
23227@item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
23228@itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
23229A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
23230contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
23231field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
23232
23233@item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
23234Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
23235command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
23236command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
23237to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
23238invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
23239@code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
23240
23241We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
23242highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
23243that thread.
23244
23245@item =library-loaded,...
23246Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
23247notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
23248@var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
23249opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
23250@var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
23251library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
23252debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
23253@var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
23254library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
23255specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
23256If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
23257of all present thread groups.
23258
23259@item =library-unloaded,...
23260Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
23261has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
23262the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
23263The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
23264thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
23265absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
23266thread groups.
23267
23268@end table
23269
23270@node GDB/MI Frame Information
23271@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
23272
23273Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
23274frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
23275fields:
23276
23277@table @code
23278@item level
23279The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
23280zero. This field is always present.
23281
23282@item func
23283The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
23284be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
23285
23286@item addr
23287The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
23288
23289@item file
23290The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
23291address. This field may be absent.
23292
23293@item line
23294The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
23295may be absent.
23296
23297@item from
23298The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
23299corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
23300
23301@end table
23302
23303@node GDB/MI Thread Information
23304@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
23305
23306Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
23307uses a tuple with the following fields:
23308
23309@table @code
23310@item id
23311The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
23312always present.
23313
23314@item target-id
23315Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
23316
23317@item details
23318Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
23319It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
23320frontend. This field is optional.
23321
23322@item state
23323Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
23324thread is presently running. This field is always present.
23325
23326@item core
23327The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
23328thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
23329@end table
23330
23331
23332@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23333@node GDB/MI Simple Examples
23334@section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
23335@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
23336
23337This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
23338the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
23339following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
23340the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
23341
23342Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
23343readability, they don't appear in the real output.
23344
23345@subheading Setting a Breakpoint
23346
23347Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
23348information of the breakpoint.
23349
23350@smallexample
23351-> -break-insert main
23352<- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23353 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
23354 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
23355<- (gdb)
23356@end smallexample
23357
23358@subheading Program Execution
23359
23360Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
23361reason that execution stopped.
23362
23363@smallexample
23364-> -exec-run
23365<- ^running
23366<- (gdb)
23367<- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
23368 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
23369 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
23370 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
23371<- (gdb)
23372-> -exec-continue
23373<- ^running
23374<- (gdb)
23375<- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
23376<- (gdb)
23377@end smallexample
23378
23379@subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
23380
23381Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
23382
23383@smallexample
23384-> (gdb)
23385<- -gdb-exit
23386<- ^exit
23387@end smallexample
23388
23389Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
23390take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
23391performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
23392or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
23393@value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
23394fails to exit in reasonable time.
23395
23396@subheading A Bad Command
23397
23398Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
23399
23400@smallexample
23401-> -rubbish
23402<- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
23403<- (gdb)
23404@end smallexample
23405
23406
23407@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23408@node GDB/MI Command Description Format
23409@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
23410
23411The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
23412commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
23413
23414@subheading Motivation
23415
23416The motivation for this collection of commands.
23417
23418@subheading Introduction
23419
23420A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
23421
23422@subheading Commands
23423
23424For each command in the block, the following is described:
23425
23426@subsubheading Synopsis
23427
23428@smallexample
23429 -command @var{args}@dots{}
23430@end smallexample
23431
23432@subsubheading Result
23433
23434@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23435
23436The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
23437
23438@subsubheading Example
23439
23440Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
23441not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
23442
23443
23444@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23445@node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
23446@section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
23447
23448@cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
23449@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
23450This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
23451breakpoints.
23452
23453@subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
23454@findex -break-after
23455
23456@subsubheading Synopsis
23457
23458@smallexample
23459 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
23460@end smallexample
23461
23462The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
23463hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
23464the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
23465@samp{-break-list} command below.
23466
23467@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23468
23469The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
23470
23471@subsubheading Example
23472
23473@smallexample
23474(gdb)
23475-break-insert main
23476^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23477enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
23478fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
23479(gdb)
23480-break-after 1 3
23481~
23482^done
23483(gdb)
23484-break-list
23485^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23486hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23487@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23488@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23489@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23490@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23491@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23492body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23493addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23494line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
23495(gdb)
23496@end smallexample
23497
23498@ignore
23499@subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
23500@findex -break-catch
23501@end ignore
23502
23503@subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
23504@findex -break-commands
23505
23506@subsubheading Synopsis
23507
23508@smallexample
23509 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
23510@end smallexample
23511
23512Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
23513@var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
23514are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
23515commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
23516functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
23517some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
23518
23519@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23520
23521The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
23522
23523@subsubheading Example
23524
23525@smallexample
23526(gdb)
23527-break-insert main
23528^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
23529enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
23530fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
23531(gdb)
23532-break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
23533^done
23534(gdb)
23535@end smallexample
23536
23537@subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
23538@findex -break-condition
23539
23540@subsubheading Synopsis
23541
23542@smallexample
23543 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
23544@end smallexample
23545
23546Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
23547@var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
23548@samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
23549command below).
23550
23551@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23552
23553The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
23554
23555@subsubheading Example
23556
23557@smallexample
23558(gdb)
23559-break-condition 1 1
23560^done
23561(gdb)
23562-break-list
23563^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23564hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23565@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23566@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23567@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23568@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23569@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23570body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23571addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23572line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
23573(gdb)
23574@end smallexample
23575
23576@subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
23577@findex -break-delete
23578
23579@subsubheading Synopsis
23580
23581@smallexample
23582 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23583@end smallexample
23584
23585Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
23586list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
23587
23588@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23589
23590The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
23591
23592@subsubheading Example
23593
23594@smallexample
23595(gdb)
23596-break-delete 1
23597^done
23598(gdb)
23599-break-list
23600^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
23601hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23602@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23603@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23604@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23605@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23606@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23607body=[]@}
23608(gdb)
23609@end smallexample
23610
23611@subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
23612@findex -break-disable
23613
23614@subsubheading Synopsis
23615
23616@smallexample
23617 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23618@end smallexample
23619
23620Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
23621break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
23622
23623@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23624
23625The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
23626
23627@subsubheading Example
23628
23629@smallexample
23630(gdb)
23631-break-disable 2
23632^done
23633(gdb)
23634-break-list
23635^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23636hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23637@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23638@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23639@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23640@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23641@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23642body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
23643addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23644line="5",times="0"@}]@}
23645(gdb)
23646@end smallexample
23647
23648@subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
23649@findex -break-enable
23650
23651@subsubheading Synopsis
23652
23653@smallexample
23654 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
23655@end smallexample
23656
23657Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
23658
23659@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23660
23661The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
23662
23663@subsubheading Example
23664
23665@smallexample
23666(gdb)
23667-break-enable 2
23668^done
23669(gdb)
23670-break-list
23671^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
23672hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23673@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23674@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23675@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23676@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23677@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23678body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23679addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23680line="5",times="0"@}]@}
23681(gdb)
23682@end smallexample
23683
23684@subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
23685@findex -break-info
23686
23687@subsubheading Synopsis
23688
23689@smallexample
23690 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
23691@end smallexample
23692
23693@c REDUNDANT???
23694Get information about a single breakpoint.
23695
23696@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23697
23698The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
23699
23700@subsubheading Example
23701N.A.
23702
23703@subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
23704@findex -break-insert
23705
23706@subsubheading Synopsis
23707
23708@smallexample
23709 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
23710 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
23711 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
23712@end smallexample
23713
23714@noindent
23715If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
23716
23717@itemize @bullet
23718@item function
23719@c @item +offset
23720@c @item -offset
23721@c @item linenum
23722@item filename:linenum
23723@item filename:function
23724@item *address
23725@end itemize
23726
23727The possible optional parameters of this command are:
23728
23729@table @samp
23730@item -t
23731Insert a temporary breakpoint.
23732@item -h
23733Insert a hardware breakpoint.
23734@item -c @var{condition}
23735Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
23736@item -i @var{ignore-count}
23737Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
23738@item -f
23739If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
23740refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
23741breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
23742an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
23743cannot be parsed.
23744@item -d
23745Create a disabled breakpoint.
23746@item -a
23747Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
23748is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
23749@end table
23750
23751@subsubheading Result
23752
23753The result is in the form:
23754
23755@smallexample
23756^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
23757enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
23758fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
23759times="@var{times}"@}
23760@end smallexample
23761
23762@noindent
23763where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
23764@var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
23765inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
23766this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
23767and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
23768(always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
23769which use the same output).
23770
23771Note: this format is open to change.
23772@c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
23773
23774@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23775
23776The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
23777@samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
23778
23779@subsubheading Example
23780
23781@smallexample
23782(gdb)
23783-break-insert main
23784^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
23785fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
23786(gdb)
23787-break-insert -t foo
23788^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
23789fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
23790(gdb)
23791-break-list
23792^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23793hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23794@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23795@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23796@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23797@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23798@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23799body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23800addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
23801fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
23802bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
23803addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
23804fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
23805(gdb)
23806-break-insert -r foo.*
23807~int foo(int, int);
23808^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
23809"fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
23810(gdb)
23811@end smallexample
23812
23813@subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
23814@findex -break-list
23815
23816@subsubheading Synopsis
23817
23818@smallexample
23819 -break-list
23820@end smallexample
23821
23822Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
23823
23824@table @samp
23825@item Number
23826number of the breakpoint
23827@item Type
23828type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
23829@item Disposition
23830should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
23831or @samp{nokeep}
23832@item Enabled
23833is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
23834@item Address
23835memory location at which the breakpoint is set
23836@item What
23837logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
23838name, line number
23839@item Times
23840number of times the breakpoint has been hit
23841@end table
23842
23843If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
23844@code{body} field is an empty list.
23845
23846@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23847
23848The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
23849
23850@subsubheading Example
23851
23852@smallexample
23853(gdb)
23854-break-list
23855^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23856hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23857@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23858@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23859@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23860@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23861@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23862body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23863addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
23864bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23865addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
23866line="13",times="0"@}]@}
23867(gdb)
23868@end smallexample
23869
23870Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
23871
23872@smallexample
23873(gdb)
23874-break-list
23875^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
23876hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23877@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23878@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23879@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23880@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23881@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23882body=[]@}
23883(gdb)
23884@end smallexample
23885
23886@subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
23887@findex -break-passcount
23888
23889@subsubheading Synopsis
23890
23891@smallexample
23892 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
23893@end smallexample
23894
23895Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
23896@var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
23897is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
23898command @samp{passcount}.
23899
23900@subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
23901@findex -break-watch
23902
23903@subsubheading Synopsis
23904
23905@smallexample
23906 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
23907@end smallexample
23908
23909Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
23910@dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
23911read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
23912option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
23913trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
23914either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
23915i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
23916@xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
23917
23918Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
23919breakpoints inserted.
23920
23921@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23922
23923The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
23924@samp{rwatch}.
23925
23926@subsubheading Example
23927
23928Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
23929
23930@smallexample
23931(gdb)
23932-break-watch x
23933^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
23934(gdb)
23935-exec-continue
23936^running
23937(gdb)
23938*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
23939value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
23940frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
23941fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
23942(gdb)
23943@end smallexample
23944
23945Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
23946the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
23947for the watchpoint going out of scope.
23948
23949@smallexample
23950(gdb)
23951-break-watch C
23952^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
23953(gdb)
23954-exec-continue
23955^running
23956(gdb)
23957*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
23958wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
23959frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23960file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23961fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
23962(gdb)
23963-exec-continue
23964^running
23965(gdb)
23966*stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
23967frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
23968value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23969file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23970fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23971(gdb)
23972@end smallexample
23973
23974Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
23975execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
23976deleted.
23977
23978@smallexample
23979(gdb)
23980-break-watch C
23981^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
23982(gdb)
23983-break-list
23984^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
23985hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
23986@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
23987@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
23988@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
23989@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
23990@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
23991body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
23992addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23993file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23994fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
23995bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
23996enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
23997(gdb)
23998-exec-continue
23999^running
24000(gdb)
24001*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
24002value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
24003frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24004file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24005fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
24006(gdb)
24007-break-list
24008^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
24009hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24010@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24011@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24012@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24013@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24014@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24015body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24016addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24017file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24018fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
24019bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
24020enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
24021(gdb)
24022-exec-continue
24023^running
24024^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
24025frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
24026value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24027file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24028fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24029(gdb)
24030-break-list
24031^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24032hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24033@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24034@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24035@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24036@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24037@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24038body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24039addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24040file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24041fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
24042times="1"@}]@}
24043(gdb)
24044@end smallexample
24045
24046@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24047@node GDB/MI Program Context
24048@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
24049
24050@subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
24051@findex -exec-arguments
24052
24053
24054@subsubheading Synopsis
24055
24056@smallexample
24057 -exec-arguments @var{args}
24058@end smallexample
24059
24060Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
24061@samp{-exec-run}.
24062
24063@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24064
24065The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
24066
24067@subsubheading Example
24068
24069@smallexample
24070(gdb)
24071-exec-arguments -v word
24072^done
24073(gdb)
24074@end smallexample
24075
24076
24077@ignore
24078@subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
24079@findex -exec-show-arguments
24080
24081@subsubheading Synopsis
24082
24083@smallexample
24084 -exec-show-arguments
24085@end smallexample
24086
24087Print the arguments of the program.
24088
24089@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24090
24091The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
24092
24093@subsubheading Example
24094N.A.
24095@end ignore
24096
24097
24098@subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
24099@findex -environment-cd
24100
24101@subsubheading Synopsis
24102
24103@smallexample
24104 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
24105@end smallexample
24106
24107Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
24108
24109@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24110
24111The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
24112
24113@subsubheading Example
24114
24115@smallexample
24116(gdb)
24117-environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
24118^done
24119(gdb)
24120@end smallexample
24121
24122
24123@subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
24124@findex -environment-directory
24125
24126@subsubheading Synopsis
24127
24128@smallexample
24129 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
24130@end smallexample
24131
24132Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
24133If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
24134search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
24135@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
24136occurs as normal.
24137Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
24138multiple directories in a single command
24139results in the directories added to the beginning of the
24140search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
24141If blanks are needed as
24142part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
24143the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
24144by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
24145character must not be used
24146in any directory name.
24147If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
24148
24149@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24150
24151The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
24152
24153@subsubheading Example
24154
24155@smallexample
24156(gdb)
24157-environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
24158^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
24159(gdb)
24160-environment-directory ""
24161^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
24162(gdb)
24163-environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
24164^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
24165(gdb)
24166-environment-directory -r
24167^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
24168(gdb)
24169@end smallexample
24170
24171
24172@subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
24173@findex -environment-path
24174
24175@subsubheading Synopsis
24176
24177@smallexample
24178 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
24179@end smallexample
24180
24181Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
24182If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
24183search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
24184supplied in addition to the
24185@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
24186occurs as normal.
24187Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
24188multiple directories in a single command
24189results in the directories added to the beginning of the
24190search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
24191If blanks are needed as
24192part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
24193the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
24194by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
24195character must not be used
24196in any directory name.
24197If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
24198
24199
24200@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24201
24202The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
24203
24204@subsubheading Example
24205
24206@smallexample
24207(gdb)
24208-environment-path
24209^done,path="/usr/bin"
24210(gdb)
24211-environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
24212^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
24213(gdb)
24214-environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
24215^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
24216(gdb)
24217@end smallexample
24218
24219
24220@subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
24221@findex -environment-pwd
24222
24223@subsubheading Synopsis
24224
24225@smallexample
24226 -environment-pwd
24227@end smallexample
24228
24229Show the current working directory.
24230
24231@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24232
24233The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
24234
24235@subsubheading Example
24236
24237@smallexample
24238(gdb)
24239-environment-pwd
24240^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
24241(gdb)
24242@end smallexample
24243
24244@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24245@node GDB/MI Thread Commands
24246@section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
24247
24248
24249@subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
24250@findex -thread-info
24251
24252@subsubheading Synopsis
24253
24254@smallexample
24255 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
24256@end smallexample
24257
24258Reports information about either a specific thread, if
24259the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
24260threads. When printing information about all threads,
24261also reports the current thread.
24262
24263@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24264
24265The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
24266about all threads.
24267
24268@subsubheading Example
24269
24270@smallexample
24271-thread-info
24272^done,threads=[
24273@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
24274 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
24275@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
24276 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
24277 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
24278current-thread-id="1"
24279(gdb)
24280@end smallexample
24281
24282The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
24283
24284@table @code
24285@item stopped
24286The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
24287threads.
24288
24289@item running
24290The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
24291threads.
24292
24293@end table
24294
24295@subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
24296@findex -thread-list-ids
24297
24298@subsubheading Synopsis
24299
24300@smallexample
24301 -thread-list-ids
24302@end smallexample
24303
24304Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
24305end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
24306
24307This command is retained for historical reasons, the
24308@code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
24309
24310@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24311
24312Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
24313
24314@subsubheading Example
24315
24316@smallexample
24317(gdb)
24318-thread-list-ids
24319^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
24320current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
24321(gdb)
24322@end smallexample
24323
24324
24325@subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
24326@findex -thread-select
24327
24328@subsubheading Synopsis
24329
24330@smallexample
24331 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
24332@end smallexample
24333
24334Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
24335current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
24336
24337This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
24338@samp{--thread} option to each command.
24339
24340@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24341
24342The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
24343
24344@subsubheading Example
24345
24346@smallexample
24347(gdb)
24348-exec-next
24349^running
24350(gdb)
24351*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
24352file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
24353(gdb)
24354-thread-list-ids
24355^done,
24356thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
24357number-of-threads="3"
24358(gdb)
24359-thread-select 3
24360^done,new-thread-id="3",
24361frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
24362args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
24363@{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
24364(gdb)
24365@end smallexample
24366
24367@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24368@node GDB/MI Program Execution
24369@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
24370
24371These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
24372record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
24373asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
24374other cases.
24375
24376@subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
24377@findex -exec-continue
24378
24379@subsubheading Synopsis
24380
24381@smallexample
24382 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
24383@end smallexample
24384
24385Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
24386to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
24387@samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
24388it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
24389@itemize @bullet
24390@item
24391breakpoints or watchpoints
24392@item
24393signals or exceptions
24394@item
24395the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
24396@item
24397the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
24398@end itemize
24399In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
24400Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
24401value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
24402specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
24403ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
24404specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
24405
24406@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24407
24408The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
24409
24410@subsubheading Example
24411
24412@smallexample
24413-exec-continue
24414^running
24415(gdb)
24416@@Hello world
24417*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
24418func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
24419line="13"@}
24420(gdb)
24421@end smallexample
24422
24423
24424@subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
24425@findex -exec-finish
24426
24427@subsubheading Synopsis
24428
24429@smallexample
24430 -exec-finish [--reverse]
24431@end smallexample
24432
24433Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
24434function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
24435If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
24436execution of the inferior program until the point where current
24437function was called.
24438
24439@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24440
24441The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
24442
24443@subsubheading Example
24444
24445Function returning @code{void}.
24446
24447@smallexample
24448-exec-finish
24449^running
24450(gdb)
24451@@hello from foo
24452*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
24453file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
24454(gdb)
24455@end smallexample
24456
24457Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
24458@value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
24459value itself.
24460
24461@smallexample
24462-exec-finish
24463^running
24464(gdb)
24465*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
24466args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
24467file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
24468gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
24469(gdb)
24470@end smallexample
24471
24472
24473@subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
24474@findex -exec-interrupt
24475
24476@subsubheading Synopsis
24477
24478@smallexample
24479 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
24480@end smallexample
24481
24482Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
24483associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
24484that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
24485appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
24486interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
24487
24488Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
24489asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
24490@samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
24491reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
24492
24493In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
24494All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
24495@samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
24496option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
24497
24498@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24499
24500The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
24501
24502@subsubheading Example
24503
24504@smallexample
24505(gdb)
24506111-exec-continue
24507111^running
24508
24509(gdb)
24510222-exec-interrupt
24511222^done
24512(gdb)
24513111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
24514frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24515fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
24516(gdb)
24517
24518(gdb)
24519-exec-interrupt
24520^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
24521(gdb)
24522@end smallexample
24523
24524@subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
24525@findex -exec-jump
24526
24527@subsubheading Synopsis
24528
24529@smallexample
24530 -exec-jump @var{location}
24531@end smallexample
24532
24533Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
24534parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
24535different forms of @var{location}.
24536
24537@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24538
24539The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
24540
24541@subsubheading Example
24542
24543@smallexample
24544-exec-jump foo.c:10
24545*running,thread-id="all"
24546^running
24547@end smallexample
24548
24549
24550@subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
24551@findex -exec-next
24552
24553@subsubheading Synopsis
24554
24555@smallexample
24556 -exec-next [--reverse]
24557@end smallexample
24558
24559Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
24560of the next source line is reached.
24561
24562If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
24563of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
24564source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
24565function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
24566source line where the function was called.
24567
24568
24569@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24570
24571The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
24572
24573@subsubheading Example
24574
24575@smallexample
24576-exec-next
24577^running
24578(gdb)
24579*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
24580(gdb)
24581@end smallexample
24582
24583
24584@subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
24585@findex -exec-next-instruction
24586
24587@subsubheading Synopsis
24588
24589@smallexample
24590 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
24591@end smallexample
24592
24593Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
24594call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
24595instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
24596printed as well.
24597
24598If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
24599of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
24600previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
24601it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
24602(from the current stack frame) is reached.
24603
24604@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24605
24606The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
24607
24608@subsubheading Example
24609
24610@smallexample
24611(gdb)
24612-exec-next-instruction
24613^running
24614
24615(gdb)
24616*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24617addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
24618(gdb)
24619@end smallexample
24620
24621
24622@subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
24623@findex -exec-return
24624
24625@subsubheading Synopsis
24626
24627@smallexample
24628 -exec-return
24629@end smallexample
24630
24631Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
24632Displays the new current frame.
24633
24634@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24635
24636The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
24637
24638@subsubheading Example
24639
24640@smallexample
24641(gdb)
24642200-break-insert callee4
24643200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
24644file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
24645(gdb)
24646000-exec-run
24647000^running
24648(gdb)
24649000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
24650frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
24651file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24652fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
24653(gdb)
24654205-break-delete
24655205^done
24656(gdb)
24657111-exec-return
24658111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
24659args=[@{name="strarg",
24660value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
24661file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24662fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
24663(gdb)
24664@end smallexample
24665
24666
24667@subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
24668@findex -exec-run
24669
24670@subsubheading Synopsis
24671
24672@smallexample
24673 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
24674@end smallexample
24675
24676Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
24677executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
24678exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
24679the program has exited exceptionally.
24680
24681When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
24682@samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
24683group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
24684If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
24685
24686@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24687
24688The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
24689
24690@subsubheading Examples
24691
24692@smallexample
24693(gdb)
24694-break-insert main
24695^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
24696(gdb)
24697-exec-run
24698^running
24699(gdb)
24700*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
24701frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
24702fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
24703(gdb)
24704@end smallexample
24705
24706@noindent
24707Program exited normally:
24708
24709@smallexample
24710(gdb)
24711-exec-run
24712^running
24713(gdb)
24714x = 55
24715*stopped,reason="exited-normally"
24716(gdb)
24717@end smallexample
24718
24719@noindent
24720Program exited exceptionally:
24721
24722@smallexample
24723(gdb)
24724-exec-run
24725^running
24726(gdb)
24727x = 55
24728*stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
24729(gdb)
24730@end smallexample
24731
24732Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
24733@code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
24734
24735@smallexample
24736(gdb)
24737*stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
24738signal-meaning="Interrupt"
24739@end smallexample
24740
24741
24742@c @subheading -exec-signal
24743
24744
24745@subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
24746@findex -exec-step
24747
24748@subsubheading Synopsis
24749
24750@smallexample
24751 -exec-step [--reverse]
24752@end smallexample
24753
24754Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
24755of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
24756function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
24757function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
24758execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
24759previously executed source line.
24760
24761@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24762
24763The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
24764
24765@subsubheading Example
24766
24767Stepping into a function:
24768
24769@smallexample
24770-exec-step
24771^running
24772(gdb)
24773*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24774frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
24775@{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
24776fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
24777(gdb)
24778@end smallexample
24779
24780Regular stepping:
24781
24782@smallexample
24783-exec-step
24784^running
24785(gdb)
24786*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
24787(gdb)
24788@end smallexample
24789
24790
24791@subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
24792@findex -exec-step-instruction
24793
24794@subsubheading Synopsis
24795
24796@smallexample
24797 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
24798@end smallexample
24799
24800Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
24801@samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
24802inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
24803The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
24804whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
24805former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
24806as well.
24807
24808@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24809
24810The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
24811
24812@subsubheading Example
24813
24814@smallexample
24815(gdb)
24816-exec-step-instruction
24817^running
24818
24819(gdb)
24820*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24821frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24822fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
24823(gdb)
24824-exec-step-instruction
24825^running
24826
24827(gdb)
24828*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
24829frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
24830fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
24831(gdb)
24832@end smallexample
24833
24834
24835@subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
24836@findex -exec-until
24837
24838@subsubheading Synopsis
24839
24840@smallexample
24841 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
24842@end smallexample
24843
24844Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
24845argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
24846until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
24847reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
24848
24849@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24850
24851The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
24852
24853@subsubheading Example
24854
24855@smallexample
24856(gdb)
24857-exec-until recursive2.c:6
24858^running
24859(gdb)
24860x = 55
24861*stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
24862file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
24863(gdb)
24864@end smallexample
24865
24866@ignore
24867@subheading -file-clear
24868Is this going away????
24869@end ignore
24870
24871@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24872@node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
24873@section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
24874
24875
24876@subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
24877@findex -stack-info-frame
24878
24879@subsubheading Synopsis
24880
24881@smallexample
24882 -stack-info-frame
24883@end smallexample
24884
24885Get info on the selected frame.
24886
24887@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24888
24889The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
24890(without arguments).
24891
24892@subsubheading Example
24893
24894@smallexample
24895(gdb)
24896-stack-info-frame
24897^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
24898file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24899fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
24900(gdb)
24901@end smallexample
24902
24903@subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
24904@findex -stack-info-depth
24905
24906@subsubheading Synopsis
24907
24908@smallexample
24909 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
24910@end smallexample
24911
24912Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
24913is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
24914
24915@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24916
24917There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
24918
24919@subsubheading Example
24920
24921For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
24922
24923@smallexample
24924(gdb)
24925-stack-info-depth
24926^done,depth="12"
24927(gdb)
24928-stack-info-depth 4
24929^done,depth="4"
24930(gdb)
24931-stack-info-depth 12
24932^done,depth="12"
24933(gdb)
24934-stack-info-depth 11
24935^done,depth="11"
24936(gdb)
24937-stack-info-depth 13
24938^done,depth="12"
24939(gdb)
24940@end smallexample
24941
24942@subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
24943@findex -stack-list-arguments
24944
24945@subsubheading Synopsis
24946
24947@smallexample
24948 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
24949 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
24950@end smallexample
24951
24952Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
24953and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
24954@var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
24955call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
24956at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
24957larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
24958@var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
24959which case only existing frames will be returned.
24960
24961If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
24962the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
24963values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
24964type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
24965structures and unions.
24966
24967Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
24968deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
24969
24970@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24971
24972@value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
24973@samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
24974functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
24975
24976@subsubheading Example
24977
24978@smallexample
24979(gdb)
24980-stack-list-frames
24981^done,
24982stack=[
24983frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
24984file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24985fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
24986frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
24987file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24988fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
24989frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
24990file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24991fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
24992frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
24993file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24994fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
24995frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
24996file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
24997fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
24998(gdb)
24999-stack-list-arguments 0
25000^done,
25001stack-args=[
25002frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
25003frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
25004frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
25005frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
25006frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
25007(gdb)
25008-stack-list-arguments 1
25009^done,
25010stack-args=[
25011frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
25012frame=@{level="1",
25013 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
25014frame=@{level="2",args=[
25015@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25016@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
25017@{frame=@{level="3",args=[
25018@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25019@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
25020@{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
25021frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
25022(gdb)
25023-stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
25024^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
25025(gdb)
25026-stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
25027^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
25028args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
25029@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
25030(gdb)
25031@end smallexample
25032
25033@c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
25034
25035
25036@subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
25037@findex -stack-list-frames
25038
25039@subsubheading Synopsis
25040
25041@smallexample
25042 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
25043@end smallexample
25044
25045List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
25046following info:
25047
25048@table @samp
25049@item @var{level}
25050The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
25051@item @var{addr}
25052The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
25053@item @var{func}
25054Function name.
25055@item @var{file}
25056File name of the source file where the function lives.
25057@item @var{line}
25058Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
25059@end table
25060
25061If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
25062whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
25063levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
25064are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
25065an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
25066frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
25067actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
25068
25069@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25070
25071The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
25072
25073@subsubheading Example
25074
25075Full stack backtrace:
25076
25077@smallexample
25078(gdb)
25079-stack-list-frames
25080^done,stack=
25081[frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
25082 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
25083frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25084 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25085frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25086 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25087frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25088 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25089frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25090 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25091frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25092 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25093frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25094 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25095frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25096 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25097frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25098 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25099frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25100 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25101frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25102 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25103frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
25104 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
25105(gdb)
25106@end smallexample
25107
25108Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
25109
25110@smallexample
25111(gdb)
25112-stack-list-frames 3 5
25113^done,stack=
25114[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25115 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25116frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25117 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25118frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25119 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
25120(gdb)
25121@end smallexample
25122
25123Show a single frame:
25124
25125@smallexample
25126(gdb)
25127-stack-list-frames 3 3
25128^done,stack=
25129[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
25130 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
25131(gdb)
25132@end smallexample
25133
25134
25135@subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
25136@findex -stack-list-locals
25137
25138@subsubheading Synopsis
25139
25140@smallexample
25141 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
25142@end smallexample
25143
25144Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
25145@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25146the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25147values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25148type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25149structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
25150display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
25151other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
25152more detail.
25153
25154This command is deprecated in favor of the
25155@samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
25156
25157@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25158
25159@samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
25160
25161@subsubheading Example
25162
25163@smallexample
25164(gdb)
25165-stack-list-locals 0
25166^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
25167(gdb)
25168-stack-list-locals --all-values
25169^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
25170 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
25171-stack-list-locals --simple-values
25172^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
25173 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
25174(gdb)
25175@end smallexample
25176
25177@subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
25178@findex -stack-list-variables
25179
25180@subsubheading Synopsis
25181
25182@smallexample
25183 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
25184@end smallexample
25185
25186Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
25187@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
25188the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
25189values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
25190type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
25191structures and unions.
25192
25193@subsubheading Example
25194
25195@smallexample
25196(gdb)
25197-stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
25198^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
25199(gdb)
25200@end smallexample
25201
25202
25203@subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
25204@findex -stack-select-frame
25205
25206@subsubheading Synopsis
25207
25208@smallexample
25209 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
25210@end smallexample
25211
25212Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
25213the stack.
25214
25215This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
25216option to every command.
25217
25218@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25219
25220The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
25221@samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
25222
25223@subsubheading Example
25224
25225@smallexample
25226(gdb)
25227-stack-select-frame 2
25228^done
25229(gdb)
25230@end smallexample
25231
25232@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25233@node GDB/MI Variable Objects
25234@section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
25235
25236@ignore
25237
25238@subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
25239
25240For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
25241expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
25242used by @code{Insight}.
25243
25244The two main reasons for that are:
25245
25246@enumerate 1
25247@item
25248It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
25249
25250@item
25251It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
25252now).
25253@end enumerate
25254
25255The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
25256slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
25257describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
25258hints about their use.
25259
25260@emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
25261expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
25262least, the following operations:
25263
25264@itemize @bullet
25265@item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
25266@item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
25267@item @code{-stack-list-locals}
25268@item @code{-stack-select-frame}
25269@end itemize
25270
25271@end ignore
25272
25273@subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
25274
25275@cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
25276
25277Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
25278changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
25279work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
25280simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
25281is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
25282frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
25283expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
25284expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
25285variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
25286operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
25287object, or to change display format.
25288
25289Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
25290that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
25291a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
25292element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
25293children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
25294leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
25295objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
25296is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
25297child will be created.
25298
25299For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
25300string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
25301obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
25302that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
25303contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
25304
25305A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
25306the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
25307variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
25308operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
25309be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
25310objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
25311real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
25312variables that frontend has created.
25313
25314The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
25315might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
25316and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
25317relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
25318to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
25319visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
25320called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
25321implicitly updated.
25322
25323Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
25324fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
25325object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
25326variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
25327variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
25328expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
25329frame. Consider this example:
25330
25331@smallexample
25332void do_work(...)
25333@{
25334 struct work_state state;
25335
25336 if (...)
25337 do_work(...);
25338@}
25339@end smallexample
25340
25341If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
25342this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
25343object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
25344@code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
25345object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
25346
25347If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
25348refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
25349thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
25350variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
25351thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
25352and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
25353
25354The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
25355access this functionality:
25356
25357@multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
25358@item @strong{Operation}
25359@tab @strong{Description}
25360
25361@item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
25362@tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
25363@item @code{-var-create}
25364@tab create a variable object
25365@item @code{-var-delete}
25366@tab delete the variable object and/or its children
25367@item @code{-var-set-format}
25368@tab set the display format of this variable
25369@item @code{-var-show-format}
25370@tab show the display format of this variable
25371@item @code{-var-info-num-children}
25372@tab tells how many children this object has
25373@item @code{-var-list-children}
25374@tab return a list of the object's children
25375@item @code{-var-info-type}
25376@tab show the type of this variable object
25377@item @code{-var-info-expression}
25378@tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
25379@item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
25380@tab print full expression that this variable object represents
25381@item @code{-var-show-attributes}
25382@tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
25383@item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
25384@tab get the value of this variable
25385@item @code{-var-assign}
25386@tab set the value of this variable
25387@item @code{-var-update}
25388@tab update the variable and its children
25389@item @code{-var-set-frozen}
25390@tab set frozeness attribute
25391@item @code{-var-set-update-range}
25392@tab set range of children to display on update
25393@end multitable
25394
25395In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
25396how it can be used.
25397
25398@subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
25399
25400@subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
25401@findex -enable-pretty-printing
25402
25403@smallexample
25404-enable-pretty-printing
25405@end smallexample
25406
25407@value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
25408MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
25409implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
25410request that this functionality be enabled.
25411
25412Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
25413
25414Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
25415this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
25416
25417This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
25418may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
25419
25420@subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
25421@findex -var-create
25422
25423@subsubheading Synopsis
25424
25425@smallexample
25426 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
25427 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
25428@end smallexample
25429
25430This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
25431a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
25432register.
25433
25434The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
25435referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
25436system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
25437unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
25438The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
25439
25440The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
25441specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
25442frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
25443object must be created.
25444
25445@var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
25446begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
25447
25448@itemize @bullet
25449@item
25450@samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
25451
25452@item
25453@samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
25454
25455@item
25456@samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
25457@end itemize
25458
25459@cindex dynamic varobj
25460A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
25461case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
25462have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
25463@code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
25464will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
25465compatibility for existing clients.
25466
25467@subsubheading Result
25468
25469This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
25470are:
25471
25472@table @samp
25473@item name
25474The name of the varobj.
25475
25476@item numchild
25477The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
25478reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
25479@samp{has_more} attribute.
25480
25481@item value
25482The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
25483aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
25484will not be interesting.
25485
25486@item type
25487The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
25488would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
25489
25490@item thread-id
25491If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
25492thread's identifier.
25493
25494@item has_more
25495For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
25496children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
25497
25498@item dynamic
25499This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
25500varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
25501then this attribute will not be present.
25502
25503@item displayhint
25504A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
25505value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
25506@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
25507@end table
25508
25509Typical output will look like this:
25510
25511@smallexample
25512 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
25513 has_more="@var{has_more}"
25514@end smallexample
25515
25516
25517@subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
25518@findex -var-delete
25519
25520@subsubheading Synopsis
25521
25522@smallexample
25523 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
25524@end smallexample
25525
25526Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
25527With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
25528
25529Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
25530
25531
25532@subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
25533@findex -var-set-format
25534
25535@subsubheading Synopsis
25536
25537@smallexample
25538 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
25539@end smallexample
25540
25541Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
25542@var{format-spec}.
25543
25544@anchor{-var-set-format}
25545The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
25546
25547@smallexample
25548 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
25549 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
25550@end smallexample
25551
25552The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
25553based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
25554for pointers, etc.).
25555
25556For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
25557variable itself, and the children are not affected.
25558
25559@subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
25560@findex -var-show-format
25561
25562@subsubheading Synopsis
25563
25564@smallexample
25565 -var-show-format @var{name}
25566@end smallexample
25567
25568Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
25569
25570@smallexample
25571 @var{format} @expansion{}
25572 @var{format-spec}
25573@end smallexample
25574
25575
25576@subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
25577@findex -var-info-num-children
25578
25579@subsubheading Synopsis
25580
25581@smallexample
25582 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
25583@end smallexample
25584
25585Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
25586
25587@smallexample
25588 numchild=@var{n}
25589@end smallexample
25590
25591Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
25592It will return the current number of children, but more children may
25593be available.
25594
25595
25596@subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
25597@findex -var-list-children
25598
25599@subsubheading Synopsis
25600
25601@smallexample
25602 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
25603@end smallexample
25604@anchor{-var-list-children}
25605
25606Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
25607create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
25608a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
25609@code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
25610@var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
25611values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
25612value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
25613and unions.
25614
25615@var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
25616to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
25617reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
25618at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
25619reported.
25620
25621If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
25622@code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
25623For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
25624intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
25625update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
25626front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
25627then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
25628different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
25629the visible items.
25630
25631For each child the following results are returned:
25632
25633@table @var
25634
25635@item name
25636Name of the variable object created for this child.
25637
25638@item exp
25639The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
25640For example this may be the name of a structure member.
25641
25642For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
25643expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
25644
25645For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
25646designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
25647@samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
25648type and value are not present.
25649
25650A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
25651pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
25652available at all with a dynamic varobj.
25653
25654@item numchild
25655Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
256560.
25657
25658@item type
25659The type of the child.
25660
25661@item value
25662If values were requested, this is the value.
25663
25664@item thread-id
25665If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
25666Otherwise this result is not present.
25667
25668@item frozen
25669If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
25670@end table
25671
25672The result may have its own attributes:
25673
25674@table @samp
25675@item displayhint
25676A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
25677value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
25678@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
25679
25680@item has_more
25681This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
25682remaining after the end of the selected range.
25683@end table
25684
25685@subsubheading Example
25686
25687@smallexample
25688(gdb)
25689 -var-list-children n
25690 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
25691 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
25692(gdb)
25693 -var-list-children --all-values n
25694 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
25695 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
25696@end smallexample
25697
25698
25699@subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
25700@findex -var-info-type
25701
25702@subsubheading Synopsis
25703
25704@smallexample
25705 -var-info-type @var{name}
25706@end smallexample
25707
25708Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
25709returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
25710@value{GDBN} CLI:
25711
25712@smallexample
25713 type=@var{typename}
25714@end smallexample
25715
25716
25717@subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
25718@findex -var-info-expression
25719
25720@subsubheading Synopsis
25721
25722@smallexample
25723 -var-info-expression @var{name}
25724@end smallexample
25725
25726Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
25727variable object in user interface. The string is generally
25728not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
25729
25730For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
25731@code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
25732
25733@smallexample
25734(gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
25735^done,lang="C",exp="1"
25736@end smallexample
25737
25738@noindent
25739Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
25740
25741Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
25742includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
25743is of limited use.
25744
25745@subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
25746@findex -var-info-path-expression
25747
25748@subsubheading Synopsis
25749
25750@smallexample
25751 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
25752@end smallexample
25753
25754Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
25755context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
25756Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
25757result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
25758the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
25759watchpoint from a variable object.
25760
25761This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
25762and will give an error when invoked on one.
25763
25764For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
25765@code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
25766@code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
25767@code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
25768@code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
25769@smallexample
25770(gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
25771^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
25772@end smallexample
25773
25774@subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
25775@findex -var-show-attributes
25776
25777@subsubheading Synopsis
25778
25779@smallexample
25780 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
25781@end smallexample
25782
25783List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
25784
25785@smallexample
25786 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
25787@end smallexample
25788
25789@noindent
25790where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
25791
25792@subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
25793@findex -var-evaluate-expression
25794
25795@subsubheading Synopsis
25796
25797@smallexample
25798 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
25799@end smallexample
25800
25801Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
25802object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
25803can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
25804this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
25805(@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
25806the current display format will be used. The current display format
25807can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
25808
25809@smallexample
25810 value=@var{value}
25811@end smallexample
25812
25813Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
25814before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
25815
25816@subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
25817@findex -var-assign
25818
25819@subsubheading Synopsis
25820
25821@smallexample
25822 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
25823@end smallexample
25824
25825Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
25826by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
25827value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
25828subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
25829
25830@subsubheading Example
25831
25832@smallexample
25833(gdb)
25834-var-assign var1 3
25835^done,value="3"
25836(gdb)
25837-var-update *
25838^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
25839(gdb)
25840@end smallexample
25841
25842@subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
25843@findex -var-update
25844
25845@subsubheading Synopsis
25846
25847@smallexample
25848 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
25849@end smallexample
25850
25851Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
25852@var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
25853list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
25854be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
25855@code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
25856@code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
25857object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
25858for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
25859@var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
25860names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
25861as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
25862recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
25863number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
25864
25865With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
25866currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
25867diagnostic.
25868
25869If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
25870only the selected range of children will be reported.
25871
25872@code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
25873@samp{changelist}.
25874
25875Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
25876
25877@table @samp
25878@item name
25879The name of the varobj.
25880
25881@item value
25882If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
25883present and will hold the value of the varobj.
25884
25885@item in_scope
25886@anchor{-var-update}
25887This field is a string which may take one of three values:
25888
25889@table @code
25890@item "true"
25891The variable object's current value is valid.
25892
25893@item "false"
25894The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
25895hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
25896scope.
25897
25898@item "invalid"
25899The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
25900This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
25901either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
25902command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
25903objects.
25904@end table
25905
25906In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
25907be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
25908
25909@item type_changed
25910This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
25911changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
25912be @samp{false}.
25913
25914@item new_type
25915If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
25916hold the new type.
25917
25918@item new_num_children
25919For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
25920type changed, this will be the new number of children.
25921
25922The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
25923valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
25924@value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
25925instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
25926children which may be available.
25927
25928The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
25929number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
25930detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
25931only happen at the end of the update range).
25932
25933@item displayhint
25934The display hint, if any.
25935
25936@item has_more
25937This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
25938available outside the varobj's update range.
25939
25940@item dynamic
25941This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
25942varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
25943then this attribute will not be present.
25944
25945@item new_children
25946If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
25947update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
25948be listed in this attribute.
25949@end table
25950
25951@subsubheading Example
25952
25953@smallexample
25954(gdb)
25955-var-assign var1 3
25956^done,value="3"
25957(gdb)
25958-var-update --all-values var1
25959^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
25960type_changed="false"@}]
25961(gdb)
25962@end smallexample
25963
25964@subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
25965@findex -var-set-frozen
25966@anchor{-var-set-frozen}
25967
25968@subsubheading Synopsis
25969
25970@smallexample
25971 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
25972@end smallexample
25973
25974Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
25975@var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
25976frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
25977frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
25978implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
25979a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
25980@code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
25981values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
25982implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
25983Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
25984@code{-var-update} does.
25985
25986@subsubheading Example
25987
25988@smallexample
25989(gdb)
25990-var-set-frozen V 1
25991^done
25992(gdb)
25993@end smallexample
25994
25995@subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
25996@findex -var-set-update-range
25997@anchor{-var-set-update-range}
25998
25999@subsubheading Synopsis
26000
26001@smallexample
26002 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
26003@end smallexample
26004
26005Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
26006@code{-var-update}.
26007
26008@var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
26009@var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
26010children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
26011(zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
26012
26013@subsubheading Example
26014
26015@smallexample
26016(gdb)
26017-var-set-update-range V 1 2
26018^done
26019@end smallexample
26020
26021@subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
26022@findex -var-set-visualizer
26023@anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
26024
26025@subsubheading Synopsis
26026
26027@smallexample
26028 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
26029@end smallexample
26030
26031Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
26032
26033@var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
26034@samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
26035
26036If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
26037This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
26038single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
26039the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
26040Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
26041When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
26042pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
26043
26044The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
26045select a visualizer by following the built-in process
26046(@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
26047a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
26048
26049This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
26050command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
26051can be used to check this.
26052
26053@subsubheading Example
26054
26055Resetting the visualizer:
26056
26057@smallexample
26058(gdb)
26059-var-set-visualizer V None
26060^done
26061@end smallexample
26062
26063Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
26064
26065@smallexample
26066(gdb)
26067-var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
26068^done
26069@end smallexample
26070
26071Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
26072can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
26073
26074@smallexample
26075(gdb)
26076-var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
26077^done
26078@end smallexample
26079
26080@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26081@node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
26082@section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
26083
26084@cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
26085@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
26086This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
26087examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
26088
26089@c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
26090@c @subheading -data-assign
26091@c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
26092@c @subsubheading GDB Command
26093@c set variable
26094@c @subsubheading Example
26095@c N.A.
26096
26097@subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
26098@findex -data-disassemble
26099
26100@subsubheading Synopsis
26101
26102@smallexample
26103 -data-disassemble
26104 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
26105 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
26106 -- @var{mode}
26107@end smallexample
26108
26109@noindent
26110Where:
26111
26112@table @samp
26113@item @var{start-addr}
26114is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
26115@item @var{end-addr}
26116is the end address
26117@item @var{filename}
26118is the name of the file to disassemble
26119@item @var{linenum}
26120is the line number to disassemble around
26121@item @var{lines}
26122is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
26123the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
26124specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
26125@var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
26126@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
26127displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
26128@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
26129are displayed.
26130@item @var{mode}
26131is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
26132disassembly).
26133@end table
26134
26135@subsubheading Result
26136
26137The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
26138
26139@itemize @bullet
26140@item Address
26141@item Func-name
26142@item Offset
26143@item Instruction
26144@end itemize
26145
26146Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
26147directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
26148
26149@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26150
26151There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
26152
26153@subsubheading Example
26154
26155Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
26156
26157@smallexample
26158(gdb)
26159-data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
26160^done,
26161asm_insns=[
26162@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26163inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26164@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26165inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26166@{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
26167inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
26168@{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
26169inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26170@{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
26171inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
26172(gdb)
26173@end smallexample
26174
26175Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
26176@code{main}.
26177
26178@smallexample
26179-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
26180^done,asm_insns=[
26181@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26182inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
26183@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26184inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26185@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26186inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
26187[@dots{}]
26188@{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
26189@{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
26190(gdb)
26191@end smallexample
26192
26193Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
26194
26195@smallexample
26196(gdb)
26197-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
26198^done,asm_insns=[
26199@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26200inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
26201@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26202inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26203@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26204inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
26205(gdb)
26206@end smallexample
26207
26208Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
26209
26210@smallexample
26211(gdb)
26212-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
26213^done,asm_insns=[
26214src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
26215file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
26216 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
26217@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
26218inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
26219src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
26220file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
26221 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
26222@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
26223inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
26224@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
26225inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
26226(gdb)
26227@end smallexample
26228
26229
26230@subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
26231@findex -data-evaluate-expression
26232
26233@subsubheading Synopsis
26234
26235@smallexample
26236 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
26237@end smallexample
26238
26239Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
26240inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
26241If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
26242
26243@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26244
26245The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
26246@samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
26247@samp{gdb_eval} command.
26248
26249@subsubheading Example
26250
26251In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
26252@dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
26253Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
26254output.
26255
26256@smallexample
26257211-data-evaluate-expression A
26258211^done,value="1"
26259(gdb)
26260311-data-evaluate-expression &A
26261311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
26262(gdb)
26263411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
26264411^done,value="4"
26265(gdb)
26266511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
26267511^done,value="4"
26268(gdb)
26269@end smallexample
26270
26271
26272@subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
26273@findex -data-list-changed-registers
26274
26275@subsubheading Synopsis
26276
26277@smallexample
26278 -data-list-changed-registers
26279@end smallexample
26280
26281Display a list of the registers that have changed.
26282
26283@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26284
26285@value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
26286has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
26287
26288@subsubheading Example
26289
26290On a PPC MBX board:
26291
26292@smallexample
26293(gdb)
26294-exec-continue
26295^running
26296
26297(gdb)
26298*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
26299func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
26300line="5"@}
26301(gdb)
26302-data-list-changed-registers
26303^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
26304"10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
26305"24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
26306(gdb)
26307@end smallexample
26308
26309
26310@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
26311@findex -data-list-register-names
26312
26313@subsubheading Synopsis
26314
26315@smallexample
26316 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
26317@end smallexample
26318
26319Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
26320are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
26321integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
26322names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
26323consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
26324include empty register names.
26325
26326@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26327
26328@value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
26329@samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
26330corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
26331
26332@subsubheading Example
26333
26334For the PPC MBX board:
26335@smallexample
26336(gdb)
26337-data-list-register-names
26338^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
26339"r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
26340"r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
26341"r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
26342"f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
26343"f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
26344"", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
26345(gdb)
26346-data-list-register-names 1 2 3
26347^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
26348(gdb)
26349@end smallexample
26350
26351@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
26352@findex -data-list-register-values
26353
26354@subsubheading Synopsis
26355
26356@smallexample
26357 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
26358@end smallexample
26359
26360Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
26361which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
26362list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
26363numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
26364
26365Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
26366
26367@table @code
26368@item x
26369Hexadecimal
26370@item o
26371Octal
26372@item t
26373Binary
26374@item d
26375Decimal
26376@item r
26377Raw
26378@item N
26379Natural
26380@end table
26381
26382@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26383
26384The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
26385all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
26386
26387@subsubheading Example
26388
26389For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
26390don't appear in the actual output):
26391
26392@smallexample
26393(gdb)
26394-data-list-register-values r 64 65
26395^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
26396@{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
26397(gdb)
26398-data-list-register-values x
26399^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
26400@{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
26401@{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
26402@{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
26403@{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
26404@{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
26405@{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
26406@{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
26407@{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
26408@{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
26409@{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
26410@{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
26411@{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
26412@{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
26413@{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
26414@{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
26415@{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
26416@{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
26417@{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
26418@{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
26419@{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
26420@{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
26421@{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
26422@{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
26423@{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
26424@{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
26425@{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
26426@{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
26427@{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
26428@{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
26429@{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
26430@{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
26431@{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
26432@{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
26433@{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
26434@{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
26435(gdb)
26436@end smallexample
26437
26438
26439@subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
26440@findex -data-read-memory
26441
26442@subsubheading Synopsis
26443
26444@smallexample
26445 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
26446 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
26447 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
26448@end smallexample
26449
26450@noindent
26451where:
26452
26453@table @samp
26454@item @var{address}
26455An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
26456read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
26457quoted using the C convention.
26458
26459@item @var{word-format}
26460The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
26461same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
26462,Output Formats}).
26463
26464@item @var{word-size}
26465The size of each memory word in bytes.
26466
26467@item @var{nr-rows}
26468The number of rows in the output table.
26469
26470@item @var{nr-cols}
26471The number of columns in the output table.
26472
26473@item @var{aschar}
26474If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
26475value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
26476member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
26477characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
26478
26479@item @var{byte-offset}
26480An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
26481@end table
26482
26483This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
26484@var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
26485@code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
26486(returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
26487of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
26488using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
26489in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
26490@samp{addr}.
26491
26492The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
26493@samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
26494@samp{prev-page}.
26495
26496@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26497
26498The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
26499@samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
26500
26501@subsubheading Example
26502
26503Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
26504@code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
26505word. Display each word in hex.
26506
26507@smallexample
26508(gdb)
265099-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
265109^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
26511next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
26512prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
26513@{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
26514@{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
26515@{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
26516(gdb)
26517@end smallexample
26518
26519Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
26520display as a single word formatted in decimal.
26521
26522@smallexample
26523(gdb)
265245-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
265255^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
26526next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
26527next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
26528@{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
26529(gdb)
26530@end smallexample
26531
26532Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
26533as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
26534used as the non-printable character.
26535
26536@smallexample
26537(gdb)
265384-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
265394^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
26540next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
26541next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
26542@{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26543@{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26544@{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26545@{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
26546@{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
26547@{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
26548@{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
26549@{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
26550(gdb)
26551@end smallexample
26552
26553@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26554@node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
26555@section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
26556
26557The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
26558tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
26559
26560@subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
26561@findex -trace-find
26562
26563@subsubheading Synopsis
26564
26565@smallexample
26566 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
26567@end smallexample
26568
26569Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
26570@var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
26571modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
26572
26573@table @samp
26574
26575@item none
26576No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
26577
26578@item frame-number
26579An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
26580that index.
26581
26582@item tracepoint-number
26583An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
26584trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
26585
26586@item pc
26587An address is required as parameter. Finds
26588next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
26589address.
26590
26591@item pc-inside-range
26592Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
26593frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
26594specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
26595
26596@item pc-outside-range
26597Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
26598next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
26599the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
26600
26601@item line
26602Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
26603Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
26604the specified location.
26605
26606@end table
26607
26608If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
26609have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
26610
26611@table @samp
26612@item found
26613This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
26614on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
26615
26616@item traceframe
26617The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
26618the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
26619
26620@item tracepoint
26621The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
26622the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
26623
26624@item frame
26625The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
26626frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
26627@xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
26628
26629@end table
26630
26631@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26632
26633The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
26634
26635@subheading -trace-define-variable
26636@findex -trace-define-variable
26637
26638@subsubheading Synopsis
26639
26640@smallexample
26641 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
26642@end smallexample
26643
26644Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
26645@var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
26646trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
26647with the @samp{$} character.
26648
26649@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26650
26651The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
26652
26653@subheading -trace-list-variables
26654@findex -trace-list-variables
26655
26656@subsubheading Synopsis
26657
26658@smallexample
26659 -trace-list-variables
26660@end smallexample
26661
26662Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
26663table has the following fields:
26664
26665@table @samp
26666@item name
26667The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
26668
26669@item initial
26670The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
26671field is always present.
26672
26673@item current
26674The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
26675signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
26676not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
26677presently running.
26678
26679@end table
26680
26681@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26682
26683The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
26684
26685@subsubheading Example
26686
26687@smallexample
26688(gdb)
26689-trace-list-variables
26690^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
26691hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
26692 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
26693 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
26694body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
26695 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
26696(gdb)
26697@end smallexample
26698
26699@subheading -trace-save
26700@findex -trace-save
26701
26702@subsubheading Synopsis
26703
26704@smallexample
26705 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
26706@end smallexample
26707
26708Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
26709@samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
26710in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
26711to perform the save.
26712
26713@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26714
26715The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
26716
26717
26718@subheading -trace-start
26719@findex -trace-start
26720
26721@subsubheading Synopsis
26722
26723@smallexample
26724 -trace-start
26725@end smallexample
26726
26727Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
26728have any fields.
26729
26730@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26731
26732The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
26733
26734@subheading -trace-status
26735@findex -trace-status
26736
26737@subsubheading Synopsis
26738
26739@smallexample
26740 -trace-status
26741@end smallexample
26742
26743Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
26744the following fields:
26745
26746@table @samp
26747
26748@item supported
26749May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
26750supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
26751@samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
26752of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
26753started. This field is always present.
26754
26755@item running
26756May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
26757tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
26758if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
26759
26760@item stop-reason
26761Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
26762may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
26763value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
26764the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
26765the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
26766tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
26767The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
26768tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
26769This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
26770
26771@item stopping-tracepoint
26772The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
26773present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
26774@samp{passcount}.
26775
26776@item frames
26777@itemx frames-created
26778The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
26779in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
26780during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
26781circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
26782
26783@item buffer-size
26784@itemx buffer-free
26785These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
26786remaining space. These fields are optional.
26787
26788@item circular
26789The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
26790trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
26791necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
26792and may fill up.
26793
26794@item disconnected
26795The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
26796tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
26797that the trace run will stop.
26798
26799@end table
26800
26801@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26802
26803The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
26804
26805@subheading -trace-stop
26806@findex -trace-stop
26807
26808@subsubheading Synopsis
26809
26810@smallexample
26811 -trace-stop
26812@end smallexample
26813
26814Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
26815fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
26816@samp{running} fields are not output.
26817
26818@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26819
26820The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
26821
26822
26823@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26824@node GDB/MI Symbol Query
26825@section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
26826
26827
26828@ignore
26829@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
26830@findex -symbol-info-address
26831
26832@subsubheading Synopsis
26833
26834@smallexample
26835 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
26836@end smallexample
26837
26838Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
26839
26840@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26841
26842The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
26843
26844@subsubheading Example
26845N.A.
26846
26847
26848@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
26849@findex -symbol-info-file
26850
26851@subsubheading Synopsis
26852
26853@smallexample
26854 -symbol-info-file
26855@end smallexample
26856
26857Show the file for the symbol.
26858
26859@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26860
26861There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
26862@samp{gdb_find_file}.
26863
26864@subsubheading Example
26865N.A.
26866
26867
26868@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
26869@findex -symbol-info-function
26870
26871@subsubheading Synopsis
26872
26873@smallexample
26874 -symbol-info-function
26875@end smallexample
26876
26877Show which function the symbol lives in.
26878
26879@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26880
26881@samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
26882
26883@subsubheading Example
26884N.A.
26885
26886
26887@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
26888@findex -symbol-info-line
26889
26890@subsubheading Synopsis
26891
26892@smallexample
26893 -symbol-info-line
26894@end smallexample
26895
26896Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
26897
26898@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26899
26900The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
26901@code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
26902
26903@subsubheading Example
26904N.A.
26905
26906
26907@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
26908@findex -symbol-info-symbol
26909
26910@subsubheading Synopsis
26911
26912@smallexample
26913 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
26914@end smallexample
26915
26916Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
26917
26918@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26919
26920The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
26921
26922@subsubheading Example
26923N.A.
26924
26925
26926@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
26927@findex -symbol-list-functions
26928
26929@subsubheading Synopsis
26930
26931@smallexample
26932 -symbol-list-functions
26933@end smallexample
26934
26935List the functions in the executable.
26936
26937@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26938
26939@samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
26940@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26941
26942@subsubheading Example
26943N.A.
26944@end ignore
26945
26946
26947@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
26948@findex -symbol-list-lines
26949
26950@subsubheading Synopsis
26951
26952@smallexample
26953 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
26954@end smallexample
26955
26956Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
26957addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
26958ascending PC order.
26959
26960@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26961
26962There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
26963
26964@subsubheading Example
26965@smallexample
26966(gdb)
26967-symbol-list-lines basics.c
26968^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
26969(gdb)
26970@end smallexample
26971
26972
26973@ignore
26974@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
26975@findex -symbol-list-types
26976
26977@subsubheading Synopsis
26978
26979@smallexample
26980 -symbol-list-types
26981@end smallexample
26982
26983List all the type names.
26984
26985@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26986
26987The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
26988@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
26989
26990@subsubheading Example
26991N.A.
26992
26993
26994@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
26995@findex -symbol-list-variables
26996
26997@subsubheading Synopsis
26998
26999@smallexample
27000 -symbol-list-variables
27001@end smallexample
27002
27003List all the global and static variable names.
27004
27005@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27006
27007@samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
27008
27009@subsubheading Example
27010N.A.
27011
27012
27013@subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
27014@findex -symbol-locate
27015
27016@subsubheading Synopsis
27017
27018@smallexample
27019 -symbol-locate
27020@end smallexample
27021
27022@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27023
27024@samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
27025
27026@subsubheading Example
27027N.A.
27028
27029
27030@subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
27031@findex -symbol-type
27032
27033@subsubheading Synopsis
27034
27035@smallexample
27036 -symbol-type @var{variable}
27037@end smallexample
27038
27039Show type of @var{variable}.
27040
27041@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27042
27043The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
27044@samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
27045
27046@subsubheading Example
27047N.A.
27048@end ignore
27049
27050
27051@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27052@node GDB/MI File Commands
27053@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
27054
27055This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
27056and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
27057
27058@subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
27059@findex -file-exec-and-symbols
27060
27061@subsubheading Synopsis
27062
27063@smallexample
27064 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
27065@end smallexample
27066
27067Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
27068which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
27069command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
27070are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
27071error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
27072notification.
27073
27074@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27075
27076The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
27077
27078@subsubheading Example
27079
27080@smallexample
27081(gdb)
27082-file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27083^done
27084(gdb)
27085@end smallexample
27086
27087
27088@subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
27089@findex -file-exec-file
27090
27091@subsubheading Synopsis
27092
27093@smallexample
27094 -file-exec-file @var{file}
27095@end smallexample
27096
27097Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
27098@samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
27099from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
27100about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
27101notification.
27102
27103@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27104
27105The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
27106
27107@subsubheading Example
27108
27109@smallexample
27110(gdb)
27111-file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27112^done
27113(gdb)
27114@end smallexample
27115
27116
27117@ignore
27118@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
27119@findex -file-list-exec-sections
27120
27121@subsubheading Synopsis
27122
27123@smallexample
27124 -file-list-exec-sections
27125@end smallexample
27126
27127List the sections of the current executable file.
27128
27129@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27130
27131The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
27132information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
27133@samp{gdb_load_info}.
27134
27135@subsubheading Example
27136N.A.
27137@end ignore
27138
27139
27140@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
27141@findex -file-list-exec-source-file
27142
27143@subsubheading Synopsis
27144
27145@smallexample
27146 -file-list-exec-source-file
27147@end smallexample
27148
27149List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
27150to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
27151information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
27152whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
27153
27154@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27155
27156The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
27157
27158@subsubheading Example
27159
27160@smallexample
27161(gdb)
27162123-file-list-exec-source-file
27163123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
27164(gdb)
27165@end smallexample
27166
27167
27168@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
27169@findex -file-list-exec-source-files
27170
27171@subsubheading Synopsis
27172
27173@smallexample
27174 -file-list-exec-source-files
27175@end smallexample
27176
27177List the source files for the current executable.
27178
27179It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
27180the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
27181
27182@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27183
27184The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
27185@code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
27186
27187@subsubheading Example
27188@smallexample
27189(gdb)
27190-file-list-exec-source-files
27191^done,files=[
27192@{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
27193@{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
27194@{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
27195(gdb)
27196@end smallexample
27197
27198@ignore
27199@subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
27200@findex -file-list-shared-libraries
27201
27202@subsubheading Synopsis
27203
27204@smallexample
27205 -file-list-shared-libraries
27206@end smallexample
27207
27208List the shared libraries in the program.
27209
27210@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27211
27212The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
27213
27214@subsubheading Example
27215N.A.
27216
27217
27218@subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
27219@findex -file-list-symbol-files
27220
27221@subsubheading Synopsis
27222
27223@smallexample
27224 -file-list-symbol-files
27225@end smallexample
27226
27227List symbol files.
27228
27229@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27230
27231The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
27232
27233@subsubheading Example
27234N.A.
27235@end ignore
27236
27237
27238@subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
27239@findex -file-symbol-file
27240
27241@subsubheading Synopsis
27242
27243@smallexample
27244 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
27245@end smallexample
27246
27247Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
27248used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
27249produced, except for a completion notification.
27250
27251@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27252
27253The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
27254
27255@subsubheading Example
27256
27257@smallexample
27258(gdb)
27259-file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
27260^done
27261(gdb)
27262@end smallexample
27263
27264@ignore
27265@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27266@node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
27267@section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
27268
27269The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
27270
27271@c @subheading -overlay-auto
27272
27273@c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
27274
27275@c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
27276
27277@c @subheading -overlay-map
27278
27279@c @subheading -overlay-off
27280
27281@c @subheading -overlay-on
27282
27283@c @subheading -overlay-unmap
27284
27285@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27286@node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
27287@section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
27288
27289Signal handling commands are not implemented.
27290
27291@c @subheading -signal-handle
27292
27293@c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
27294
27295@c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
27296@end ignore
27297
27298
27299@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27300@node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
27301@section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
27302
27303
27304@subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
27305@findex -target-attach
27306
27307@subsubheading Synopsis
27308
27309@smallexample
27310 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
27311@end smallexample
27312
27313Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
27314@value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
27315group, the id previously returned by
27316@samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
27317
27318@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27319
27320The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
27321
27322@subsubheading Example
27323@smallexample
27324(gdb)
27325-target-attach 34
27326=thread-created,id="1"
27327*stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
27328^done
27329(gdb)
27330@end smallexample
27331
27332@ignore
27333@subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
27334@findex -target-compare-sections
27335
27336@subsubheading Synopsis
27337
27338@smallexample
27339 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
27340@end smallexample
27341
27342Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
27343Without the argument, all sections are compared.
27344
27345@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27346
27347The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
27348
27349@subsubheading Example
27350N.A.
27351@end ignore
27352
27353
27354@subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
27355@findex -target-detach
27356
27357@subsubheading Synopsis
27358
27359@smallexample
27360 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
27361@end smallexample
27362
27363Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
27364If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
27365the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
27366
27367@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27368
27369The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
27370
27371@subsubheading Example
27372
27373@smallexample
27374(gdb)
27375-target-detach
27376^done
27377(gdb)
27378@end smallexample
27379
27380
27381@subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
27382@findex -target-disconnect
27383
27384@subsubheading Synopsis
27385
27386@smallexample
27387 -target-disconnect
27388@end smallexample
27389
27390Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
27391generally not resumed.
27392
27393@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27394
27395The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
27396
27397@subsubheading Example
27398
27399@smallexample
27400(gdb)
27401-target-disconnect
27402^done
27403(gdb)
27404@end smallexample
27405
27406
27407@subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
27408@findex -target-download
27409
27410@subsubheading Synopsis
27411
27412@smallexample
27413 -target-download
27414@end smallexample
27415
27416Loads the executable onto the remote target.
27417It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
27418
27419@table @samp
27420@item section
27421The name of the section.
27422@item section-sent
27423The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
27424@item section-size
27425The size of the section.
27426@item total-sent
27427The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
27428@item total-size
27429The size of the overall executable to download.
27430@end table
27431
27432@noindent
27433Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
27434@sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
27435
27436In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
27437downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
27438
27439@table @samp
27440@item section
27441The name of the section.
27442@item section-size
27443The size of the section.
27444@item total-size
27445The size of the overall executable to download.
27446@end table
27447
27448@noindent
27449At the end, a summary is printed.
27450
27451@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27452
27453The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
27454
27455@subsubheading Example
27456
27457Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
27458have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
27459
27460@smallexample
27461(gdb)
27462-target-download
27463+download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
27464+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
27465total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
27466+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
27467total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
27468+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
27469total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
27470+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
27471total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
27472+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
27473total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
27474+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
27475total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
27476+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
27477total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
27478+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
27479total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
27480+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
27481total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
27482+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
27483total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
27484+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
27485total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
27486+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
27487total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
27488+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
27489total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
27490+download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
27491+download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
27492+download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
27493+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
27494total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
27495+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
27496total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
27497+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
27498total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
27499+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
27500total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
27501+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
27502total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
27503+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
27504total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
27505^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
27506write-rate="429"
27507(gdb)
27508@end smallexample
27509
27510
27511@ignore
27512@subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
27513@findex -target-exec-status
27514
27515@subsubheading Synopsis
27516
27517@smallexample
27518 -target-exec-status
27519@end smallexample
27520
27521Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
27522not, for instance).
27523
27524@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27525
27526There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
27527
27528@subsubheading Example
27529N.A.
27530
27531
27532@subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
27533@findex -target-list-available-targets
27534
27535@subsubheading Synopsis
27536
27537@smallexample
27538 -target-list-available-targets
27539@end smallexample
27540
27541List the possible targets to connect to.
27542
27543@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27544
27545The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
27546
27547@subsubheading Example
27548N.A.
27549
27550
27551@subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
27552@findex -target-list-current-targets
27553
27554@subsubheading Synopsis
27555
27556@smallexample
27557 -target-list-current-targets
27558@end smallexample
27559
27560Describe the current target.
27561
27562@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27563
27564The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
27565other things).
27566
27567@subsubheading Example
27568N.A.
27569
27570
27571@subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
27572@findex -target-list-parameters
27573
27574@subsubheading Synopsis
27575
27576@smallexample
27577 -target-list-parameters
27578@end smallexample
27579
27580@c ????
27581@end ignore
27582
27583@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27584
27585No equivalent.
27586
27587@subsubheading Example
27588N.A.
27589
27590
27591@subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
27592@findex -target-select
27593
27594@subsubheading Synopsis
27595
27596@smallexample
27597 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
27598@end smallexample
27599
27600Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
27601
27602@table @samp
27603@item @var{type}
27604The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
27605@item @var{parameters}
27606Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
27607Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
27608@end table
27609
27610The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
27611which the target program is, in the following form:
27612
27613@smallexample
27614^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
27615 args=[@var{arg list}]
27616@end smallexample
27617
27618@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27619
27620The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
27621
27622@subsubheading Example
27623
27624@smallexample
27625(gdb)
27626-target-select remote /dev/ttya
27627^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
27628(gdb)
27629@end smallexample
27630
27631@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27632@node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
27633@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
27634
27635
27636@subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
27637@findex -target-file-put
27638
27639@subsubheading Synopsis
27640
27641@smallexample
27642 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
27643@end smallexample
27644
27645Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
27646@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
27647
27648@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27649
27650The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
27651
27652@subsubheading Example
27653
27654@smallexample
27655(gdb)
27656-target-file-put localfile remotefile
27657^done
27658(gdb)
27659@end smallexample
27660
27661
27662@subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
27663@findex -target-file-get
27664
27665@subsubheading Synopsis
27666
27667@smallexample
27668 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
27669@end smallexample
27670
27671Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
27672on the host system.
27673
27674@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27675
27676The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
27677
27678@subsubheading Example
27679
27680@smallexample
27681(gdb)
27682-target-file-get remotefile localfile
27683^done
27684(gdb)
27685@end smallexample
27686
27687
27688@subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
27689@findex -target-file-delete
27690
27691@subsubheading Synopsis
27692
27693@smallexample
27694 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
27695@end smallexample
27696
27697Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
27698
27699@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27700
27701The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
27702
27703@subsubheading Example
27704
27705@smallexample
27706(gdb)
27707-target-file-delete remotefile
27708^done
27709(gdb)
27710@end smallexample
27711
27712
27713@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27714@node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
27715@section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
27716
27717@c @subheading -gdb-complete
27718
27719@subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
27720@findex -gdb-exit
27721
27722@subsubheading Synopsis
27723
27724@smallexample
27725 -gdb-exit
27726@end smallexample
27727
27728Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
27729
27730@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27731
27732Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
27733
27734@subsubheading Example
27735
27736@smallexample
27737(gdb)
27738-gdb-exit
27739^exit
27740@end smallexample
27741
27742
27743@ignore
27744@subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
27745@findex -exec-abort
27746
27747@subsubheading Synopsis
27748
27749@smallexample
27750 -exec-abort
27751@end smallexample
27752
27753Kill the inferior running program.
27754
27755@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27756
27757The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
27758
27759@subsubheading Example
27760N.A.
27761@end ignore
27762
27763
27764@subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
27765@findex -gdb-set
27766
27767@subsubheading Synopsis
27768
27769@smallexample
27770 -gdb-set
27771@end smallexample
27772
27773Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
27774@c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
27775
27776@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27777
27778The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
27779
27780@subsubheading Example
27781
27782@smallexample
27783(gdb)
27784-gdb-set $foo=3
27785^done
27786(gdb)
27787@end smallexample
27788
27789
27790@subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
27791@findex -gdb-show
27792
27793@subsubheading Synopsis
27794
27795@smallexample
27796 -gdb-show
27797@end smallexample
27798
27799Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
27800
27801@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27802
27803The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
27804
27805@subsubheading Example
27806
27807@smallexample
27808(gdb)
27809-gdb-show annotate
27810^done,value="0"
27811(gdb)
27812@end smallexample
27813
27814@c @subheading -gdb-source
27815
27816
27817@subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
27818@findex -gdb-version
27819
27820@subsubheading Synopsis
27821
27822@smallexample
27823 -gdb-version
27824@end smallexample
27825
27826Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
27827
27828@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27829
27830The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
27831default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
27832
27833@subsubheading Example
27834
27835@c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
27836@c box in TeX.
27837@smallexample
27838(gdb)
27839-gdb-version
27840~GNU gdb 5.2.1
27841~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
27842~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
27843~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
27844~ certain conditions.
27845~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
27846~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
27847~ details.
27848~This GDB was configured as
27849 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
27850^done
27851(gdb)
27852@end smallexample
27853
27854@subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
27855@findex -list-features
27856
27857Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
27858this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
27859or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
27860important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
27861of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
27862startup.
27863
27864The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
27865available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
27866have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
27867is given below.
27868
27869Example output:
27870
27871@smallexample
27872(gdb) -list-features
27873^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
27874@end smallexample
27875
27876The current list of features is:
27877
27878@table @samp
27879@item frozen-varobjs
27880Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
27881as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
27882of @code{-varobj-create}.
27883@item pending-breakpoints
27884Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
27885@item python
27886Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
27887pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
27888@samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
27889@item thread-info
27890Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
27891
27892@end table
27893
27894@subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
27895@findex -list-target-features
27896
27897Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
27898target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
27899unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
27900features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
27901a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
27902@code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
27903may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
27904Example output:
27905
27906@smallexample
27907(gdb) -list-features
27908^done,result=["async"]
27909@end smallexample
27910
27911The current list of features is:
27912
27913@table @samp
27914@item async
27915Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
27916execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
27917while the target is running.
27918
27919@end table
27920
27921@subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
27922@findex -list-thread-groups
27923
27924@subheading Synopsis
27925
27926@smallexample
27927-list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
27928@end smallexample
27929
27930Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
27931group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
27932When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
27933thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
27934top-level thread groups.
27935
27936Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
27937With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
27938available on the target.
27939
27940The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
27941a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
27942as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
27943Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
27944each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
27945requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
27946are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
27947of the @samp{group} result is described below.
27948
27949To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
27950together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
27951and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
27952permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
27953will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
27954@samp{threads} field.
27955
27956In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
27957the following caveats:
27958
27959@itemize @bullet
27960@item
27961When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
27962be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
27963anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
27964
27965@item
27966When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
27967be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
27968be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
27969not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
27970The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
27971is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
27972
27973@end itemize
27974
27975The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
27976have the following fields:
27977
27978@table @code
27979@item id
27980Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
27981The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
27982convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
27983
27984@item type
27985The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
27986valid type.
27987
27988@item pid
27989The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
27990for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
27991
27992@item num_children
27993The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
27994absent for an available thread group.
27995
27996@item threads
27997This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
27998thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
27999specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
28000
28001@item cores
28002This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
28003thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
28004such information is not available.
28005
28006@item executable
28007The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
28008The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
28009and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
28010
28011@end table
28012
28013@subheading Example
28014
28015@smallexample
28016@value{GDBP}
28017-list-thread-groups
28018^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
28019-list-thread-groups 17
28020^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28021 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
28022@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28023 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28024 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
28025-list-thread-groups --available
28026^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
28027-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
28028 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
28029 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
28030 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
28031-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
28032^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
28033 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
28034 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
28035@end smallexample
28036
28037
28038@subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
28039@findex -add-inferior
28040
28041@subheading Synopsis
28042
28043@smallexample
28044-add-inferior
28045@end smallexample
28046
28047Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
28048inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
28049be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
28050(@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
28051field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
28052thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
28053
28054@subheading Example
28055
28056@smallexample
28057@value{GDBP}
28058-add-inferior
28059^done,thread-group="i3"
28060@end smallexample
28061
28062@subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
28063@findex -interpreter-exec
28064
28065@subheading Synopsis
28066
28067@smallexample
28068-interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
28069@end smallexample
28070@anchor{-interpreter-exec}
28071
28072Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
28073
28074@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28075
28076The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
28077
28078@subheading Example
28079
28080@smallexample
28081(gdb)
28082-interpreter-exec console "break main"
28083&"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
28084&"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
28085~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
28086^done
28087(gdb)
28088@end smallexample
28089
28090@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
28091@findex -inferior-tty-set
28092
28093@subheading Synopsis
28094
28095@smallexample
28096-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28097@end smallexample
28098
28099Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
28100
28101@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28102
28103The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
28104
28105@subheading Example
28106
28107@smallexample
28108(gdb)
28109-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28110^done
28111(gdb)
28112@end smallexample
28113
28114@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
28115@findex -inferior-tty-show
28116
28117@subheading Synopsis
28118
28119@smallexample
28120-inferior-tty-show
28121@end smallexample
28122
28123Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
28124
28125@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28126
28127The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
28128
28129@subheading Example
28130
28131@smallexample
28132(gdb)
28133-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
28134^done
28135(gdb)
28136-inferior-tty-show
28137^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
28138(gdb)
28139@end smallexample
28140
28141@subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
28142@findex -enable-timings
28143
28144@subheading Synopsis
28145
28146@smallexample
28147-enable-timings [yes | no]
28148@end smallexample
28149
28150Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
28151command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
28152developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
28153equivalent to @samp{yes}.
28154
28155@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
28156
28157No equivalent.
28158
28159@subheading Example
28160
28161@smallexample
28162(gdb)
28163-enable-timings
28164^done
28165(gdb)
28166-break-insert main
28167^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28168addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28169fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
28170time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
28171(gdb)
28172-enable-timings no
28173^done
28174(gdb)
28175-exec-run
28176^running
28177(gdb)
28178*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28179frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
28180@{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
28181fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
28182(gdb)
28183@end smallexample
28184
28185@node Annotations
28186@chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
28187
28188This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
28189designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
28190similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
28191relatively high level.
28192
28193The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
28194(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
28195
28196@ignore
28197This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
28198@end ignore
28199
28200@menu
28201* Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
28202* Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
28203* Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
28204* Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
28205* Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
28206* Annotations for Running::
28207 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
28208* Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
28209@end menu
28210
28211@node Annotations Overview
28212@section What is an Annotation?
28213@cindex annotations
28214
28215Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
28216characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
28217information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
28218is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
28219information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
28220additional information, and a newline. The additional information
28221cannot contain newline characters.
28222
28223Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
28224characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
28225no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
28226@samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
28227annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
28228means those three characters as output.
28229
28230The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
28231@option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
28232how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
28233values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
28234is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
28235subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
28236for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
28237been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
28238Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
28239
28240@table @code
28241@kindex set annotate
28242@item set annotate @var{level}
28243The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
28244annotations to the specified @var{level}.
28245
28246@item show annotate
28247@kindex show annotate
28248Show the current annotation level.
28249@end table
28250
28251This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
28252
28253A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
28254
28255@smallexample
28256$ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
28257GNU gdb 6.0
28258Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
28259GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
28260and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
28261under certain conditions.
28262Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
28263There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
28264for details.
28265This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
28266
28267^Z^Zpre-prompt
28268(@value{GDBP})
28269^Z^Zprompt
28270@kbd{quit}
28271
28272^Z^Zpost-prompt
28273$
28274@end smallexample
28275
28276Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
28277@value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
28278denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
28279output from @value{GDBN}.
28280
28281@node Server Prefix
28282@section The Server Prefix
28283@cindex server prefix
28284
28285If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
28286the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
28287command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
28288means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
28289a transparent manner.
28290
28291The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
28292the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
28293value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
28294@code{print} command.
28295
28296Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
28297(@pxref{confirmation requests}).
28298
28299@node Prompting
28300@section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
28301
28302@cindex annotations for prompts
28303When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
28304to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
28305over, etc.
28306
28307Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
28308input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
28309denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
28310annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
28311annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
28312associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
28313features the following annotations:
28314
28315@smallexample
28316^Z^Zpre-prompt
28317^Z^Zprompt
28318^Z^Zpost-prompt
28319@end smallexample
28320
28321The input types are
28322
28323@table @code
28324@findex pre-prompt annotation
28325@findex prompt annotation
28326@findex post-prompt annotation
28327@item prompt
28328When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
28329
28330@findex pre-commands annotation
28331@findex commands annotation
28332@findex post-commands annotation
28333@item commands
28334When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
28335command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
28336
28337@findex pre-overload-choice annotation
28338@findex overload-choice annotation
28339@findex post-overload-choice annotation
28340@item overload-choice
28341When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
28342
28343@findex pre-query annotation
28344@findex query annotation
28345@findex post-query annotation
28346@item query
28347When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
28348
28349@findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
28350@findex prompt-for-continue annotation
28351@findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
28352@item prompt-for-continue
28353When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
28354expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
28355prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
28356presence of annotations.
28357@end table
28358
28359@node Errors
28360@section Errors
28361@cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
28362
28363@findex quit annotation
28364@smallexample
28365^Z^Zquit
28366@end smallexample
28367
28368This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
28369
28370@findex error annotation
28371@smallexample
28372^Z^Zerror
28373@end smallexample
28374
28375This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
28376
28377Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
28378in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
28379@code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
28380cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
28381cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
28382does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
28383to the top level.
28384
28385@findex error-begin annotation
28386A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
28387
28388@smallexample
28389^Z^Zerror-begin
28390@end smallexample
28391
28392Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
28393message.
28394
28395Warning messages are not yet annotated.
28396@c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
28397@c range_error(), and possibly other places.
28398
28399@node Invalidation
28400@section Invalidation Notices
28401
28402@cindex annotations for invalidation messages
28403The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
28404changed.
28405
28406@table @code
28407@findex frames-invalid annotation
28408@item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
28409
28410The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
28411have changed.
28412
28413@findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
28414@item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
28415
28416The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
28417deleted a breakpoint.
28418@end table
28419
28420@node Annotations for Running
28421@section Running the Program
28422@cindex annotations for running programs
28423
28424@findex starting annotation
28425@findex stopping annotation
28426When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
28427@code{step} or @code{continue},
28428
28429@smallexample
28430^Z^Zstarting
28431@end smallexample
28432
28433is output. When the program stops,
28434
28435@smallexample
28436^Z^Zstopped
28437@end smallexample
28438
28439is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
28440annotations describe how the program stopped.
28441
28442@table @code
28443@findex exited annotation
28444@item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
28445The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
28446successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
28447
28448@findex signalled annotation
28449@findex signal-name annotation
28450@findex signal-name-end annotation
28451@findex signal-string annotation
28452@findex signal-string-end annotation
28453@item ^Z^Zsignalled
28454The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
28455annotation continues:
28456
28457@smallexample
28458@var{intro-text}
28459^Z^Zsignal-name
28460@var{name}
28461^Z^Zsignal-name-end
28462@var{middle-text}
28463^Z^Zsignal-string
28464@var{string}
28465^Z^Zsignal-string-end
28466@var{end-text}
28467@end smallexample
28468
28469@noindent
28470where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
28471@code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
28472as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
28473@var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
28474user's benefit and have no particular format.
28475
28476@findex signal annotation
28477@item ^Z^Zsignal
28478The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
28479just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
28480terminated with it.
28481
28482@findex breakpoint annotation
28483@item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
28484The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
28485
28486@findex watchpoint annotation
28487@item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
28488The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
28489@end table
28490
28491@node Source Annotations
28492@section Displaying Source
28493@cindex annotations for source display
28494
28495@findex source annotation
28496The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
28497
28498@smallexample
28499^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
28500@end smallexample
28501
28502where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
28503file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
28504first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
28505within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
28506debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
28507@var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
28508line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
28509@var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
28510source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
28511followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
28512depend on the language).
28513
28514@node JIT Interface
28515@chapter JIT Compilation Interface
28516@cindex just-in-time compilation
28517@cindex JIT compilation interface
28518
28519This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
28520interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
28521executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
28522performance while maintaining platform independence.
28523
28524Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
28525portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
28526object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
28527and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
28528@value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
28529symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
28530
28531If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
28532it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
28533you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
28534of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
28535LLVM JIT.
28536
28537Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
28538JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
28539variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
28540attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
28541find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
28542out about additional code.
28543
28544@menu
28545* Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
28546* Registering Code:: Steps to register code
28547* Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
28548@end menu
28549
28550@node Declarations
28551@section JIT Declarations
28552
28553These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
28554implement the interface:
28555
28556@smallexample
28557typedef enum
28558@{
28559 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
28560 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
28561 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
28562@} jit_actions_t;
28563
28564struct jit_code_entry
28565@{
28566 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
28567 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
28568 const char *symfile_addr;
28569 uint64_t symfile_size;
28570@};
28571
28572struct jit_descriptor
28573@{
28574 uint32_t version;
28575 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
28576 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
28577 uint32_t action_flag;
28578 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
28579 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
28580@};
28581
28582/* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
28583void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
28584
28585/* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
28586 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
28587struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
28588@end smallexample
28589
28590If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
28591modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
28592a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
28593
28594@node Registering Code
28595@section Registering Code
28596
28597To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
28598
28599@itemize @bullet
28600@item
28601Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
28602information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
28603
28604@item
28605Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
28606file.
28607
28608@item
28609Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
28610
28611@item
28612Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
28613
28614@item
28615Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
28616@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
28617@end itemize
28618
28619When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
28620@code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
28621new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
28622@value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
28623
28624@node Unregistering Code
28625@section Unregistering Code
28626
28627If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
28628
28629@itemize @bullet
28630@item
28631Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
28632
28633@item
28634Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
28635
28636@item
28637Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
28638@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
28639@end itemize
28640
28641If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
28642and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
28643
28644@node GDB Bugs
28645@chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
28646@cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
28647@cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
28648
28649Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
28650
28651Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
28652may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
28653the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
28654reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
28655
28656In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
28657information that enables us to fix the bug.
28658
28659@menu
28660* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
28661* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
28662@end menu
28663
28664@node Bug Criteria
28665@section Have You Found a Bug?
28666@cindex bug criteria
28667
28668If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
28669
28670@itemize @bullet
28671@cindex fatal signal
28672@cindex debugger crash
28673@cindex crash of debugger
28674@item
28675If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
28676@value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
28677
28678@cindex error on valid input
28679@item
28680If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
28681bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
28682somewhere in the connection to the target.)
28683
28684@cindex invalid input
28685@item
28686If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
28687that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
28688``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
28689for traditional practice''.
28690
28691@item
28692If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
28693for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
28694@end itemize
28695
28696@node Bug Reporting
28697@section How to Report Bugs
28698@cindex bug reports
28699@cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
28700
28701A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
28702If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
28703contact that organization first.
28704
28705You can find contact information for many support companies and
28706individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
28707distribution.
28708@c should add a web page ref...
28709
28710@ifset BUGURL
28711@ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
28712In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
28713@value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
28714@uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
28715page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
28716be used.
28717
28718@strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
28719@samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
28720not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
28721@samp{bug-gdb}.
28722
28723The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
28724serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
28725the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
28726newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
28727problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
28728path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
28729we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
28730bug reports to the mailing list.
28731@end ifset
28732@ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
28733In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
28734@value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
28735@end ifclear
28736@end ifset
28737
28738The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
28739@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
28740fact or leave it out, state it!
28741
28742Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
28743problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
28744assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
28745Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
28746stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
28747name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
28748of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
28749the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
28750easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
28751
28752Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
28753bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
28754you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
28755self-contained.
28756
28757Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
28758bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
28759@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
28760bugs properly.
28761
28762To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
28763
28764@itemize @bullet
28765@item
28766The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
28767with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
28768version}.
28769
28770Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
28771the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
28772
28773@item
28774The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
28775version number.
28776
28777@item
28778What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
28779``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
28780
28781@item
28782What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
28783debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
28784C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
28785to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
28786those compilers.
28787
28788@item
28789The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
28790observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
28791you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
28792Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
28793
28794If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
28795and then we might not encounter the bug.
28796
28797@item
28798A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
28799reproduce the bug.
28800
28801@item
28802A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
28803incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
28804
28805Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
28806will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
28807not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
28808a chance to make a mistake.
28809
28810Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
28811say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
28812copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
28813the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
28814crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
28815ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
28816us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
28817to draw any conclusion from our observations.
28818
28819@pindex script
28820@cindex recording a session script
28821To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
28822such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
28823Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
28824include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
28825
28826Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
28827inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
28828
28829@item
28830If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
28831diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
28832it by context, not by line number.
28833
28834The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
28835sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
28836
28837@end itemize
28838
28839Here are some things that are not necessary:
28840
28841@itemize @bullet
28842@item
28843A description of the envelope of the bug.
28844
28845Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
28846which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
28847changes will not affect it.
28848
28849This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
28850will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
28851with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
28852We recommend that you save your time for something else.
28853
28854Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
28855of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
28856output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
28857less time, and so on.
28858
28859However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
28860report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
28861
28862@item
28863A patch for the bug.
28864
28865A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
28866the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
28867a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
28868to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
28869
28870Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
28871construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
28872through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
28873to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
28874
28875And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
28876patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
28877help us to understand.
28878
28879@item
28880A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
28881
28882Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
28883things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
28884@end itemize
28885
28886@c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
28887@c and consists of the two following files:
28888@c rluser.texinfo
28889@c inc-hist.texinfo
28890@c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
28891@c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
28892@include rluser.texi
28893@include inc-hist.texinfo
28894
28895
28896@node Formatting Documentation
28897@appendix Formatting Documentation
28898
28899@cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
28900@cindex reference card
28901The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
28902for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
28903subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
28904@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
28905release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
28906you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
28907
28908The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
28909can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
28910
28911@smallexample
28912make refcard.dvi
28913@end smallexample
28914
28915The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
28916mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
28917that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
28918high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
28919your @sc{dvi} output program.
28920
28921@cindex documentation
28922
28923All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
28924distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
28925a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
28926on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
28927formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
28928and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
28929
28930@value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
28931version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
28932file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
28933subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
28934necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
28935but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
28936Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
28937@sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
28938
28939If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
28940Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
28941@code{makeinfo}.
28942
28943If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
28944@value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
28945version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
28946
28947@smallexample
28948cd gdb
28949make gdb.info
28950@end smallexample
28951
28952If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
28953a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
28954Texinfo definitions file.
28955
28956@TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
28957produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
28958document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
28959has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
28960command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
28961(for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
28962require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
28963
28964@TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
28965@file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
28966written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
28967typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
28968and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
28969directory.
28970
28971If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
28972typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
28973subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
28974@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
28975
28976@smallexample
28977make gdb.dvi
28978@end smallexample
28979
28980Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
28981
28982@node Installing GDB
28983@appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
28984@cindex installation
28985
28986@menu
28987* Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
28988* Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
28989* Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
28990* Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
28991* Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
28992* System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
28993@end menu
28994
28995@node Requirements
28996@section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
28997@cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
28998
28999Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
29000Other packages will be used only if they are found.
29001
29002@heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
29003@table @asis
29004@item ISO C90 compiler
29005@value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
29006working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
29007
29008@end table
29009
29010@heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
29011@table @asis
29012@item Expat
29013@anchor{Expat}
29014@value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
29015included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
29016can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
29017The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
29018standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
29019use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
29020
29021Expat is used for:
29022
29023@itemize @bullet
29024@item
29025Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
29026@item
29027Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
29028@item
29029Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
29030@item
29031MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
29032@end itemize
29033
29034@item zlib
29035@cindex compressed debug sections
29036@value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
29037compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
29038of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
29039is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
29040information in such binaries.
29041
29042The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
29043distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
29044@url{http://zlib.net}.
29045
29046@item iconv
29047@value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
29048Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
29049on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
29050other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
29051
29052On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
29053have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
29054@option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
29055
29056@value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
29057arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
29058in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
29059if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
29060implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
29061by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
29062Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
29063Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
29064@end table
29065
29066@node Running Configure
29067@section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
29068@cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
29069@value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
29070of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
29071build the @code{gdb} program.
29072@iftex
29073@c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
29074@footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
29075look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
29076installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
29077@end iftex
29078
29079The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
29080@value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
29081appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
29082
29083For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
29084@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
29085
29086@table @code
29087@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
29088script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
29089
29090@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
29091the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
29092
29093@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
29094source for the Binary File Descriptor library
29095
29096@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
29097@sc{gnu} include files
29098
29099@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
29100source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
29101
29102@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
29103source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
29104
29105@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
29106source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
29107
29108@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
29109source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
29110
29111@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
29112source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
29113@end table
29114
29115The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
29116from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
29117this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
29118
29119First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
29120if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
29121identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
29122argument.
29123
29124For example:
29125
29126@smallexample
29127cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
29128./configure @var{host}
29129make
29130@end smallexample
29131
29132@noindent
29133where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
29134@samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
29135(You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
29136correct value by examining your system.)
29137
29138Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
29139@file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
29140libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
29141binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
29142
29143@need 750
29144@file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
29145system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
29146shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
29147
29148@smallexample
29149sh configure @var{host}
29150@end smallexample
29151
29152If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
29153directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
29154@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
29155@file{configure}
29156creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
29157you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
29158
29159You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
29160source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
29161@file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
29162that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
29163if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
29164of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
29165configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
29166directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
29167about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
29168
29169You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
29170However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
29171the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
29172that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
29173let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
29174
29175@node Separate Objdir
29176@section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
29177
29178If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
29179you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
29180host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
29181allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
29182rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
29183handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
29184@code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
29185program specified there.
29186
29187To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
29188with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
29189(You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
29190itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
29191would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
29192the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
29193
29194For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
29195separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
29196
29197@smallexample
29198@group
29199cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
29200mkdir ../gdb-sun4
29201cd ../gdb-sun4
29202../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
29203make
29204@end group
29205@end smallexample
29206
29207When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
29208directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
29209(and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
29210the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
29211directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
29212@file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
29213
29214Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
29215instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
29216like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
29217one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
29218build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
29219
29220One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
29221directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
29222@value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
29223programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
29224You specify a cross-debugging target by
29225giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
29226
29227When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
29228it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
29229called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
29230
29231The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
29232directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
29233directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
29234directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
29235will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
29236
29237When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
29238directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
29239if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
29240with each other.
29241
29242@node Config Names
29243@section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
29244
29245The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
29246script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
29247aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
29248of information in the following pattern:
29249
29250@smallexample
29251@var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
29252@end smallexample
29253
29254For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
29255or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
29256option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
29257
29258The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
29259any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
29260aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
29261@code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
29262script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
29263abbreviations---for example:
29264
29265@smallexample
29266% sh config.sub i386-linux
29267i386-pc-linux-gnu
29268% sh config.sub alpha-linux
29269alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
29270% sh config.sub hp9k700
29271hppa1.1-hp-hpux
29272% sh config.sub sun4
29273sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
29274% sh config.sub sun3
29275m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
29276% sh config.sub i986v
29277Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
29278@end smallexample
29279
29280@noindent
29281@code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
29282directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
29283
29284@node Configure Options
29285@section @file{configure} Options
29286
29287Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
29288are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
29289several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
29290Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
29291
29292@smallexample
29293configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
29294 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
29295 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
29296 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
29297 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
29298 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
29299 @var{host}
29300@end smallexample
29301
29302@noindent
29303You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
29304@samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
29305@samp{--}.
29306
29307@table @code
29308@item --help
29309Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
29310
29311@item --prefix=@var{dir}
29312Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
29313@file{@var{dir}}.
29314
29315@item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
29316Configure the source to install programs under directory
29317@file{@var{dir}}.
29318
29319@c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
29320@need 2000
29321@item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
29322@strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
29323@code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
29324Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
29325@value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
29326build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
29327directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
29328the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
29329directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
29330the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
29331@var{dirname}.
29332
29333@item --norecursion
29334Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
29335propagate configuration to subdirectories.
29336
29337@item --target=@var{target}
29338Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
29339@var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
29340programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
29341
29342There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
29343
29344@item @var{host} @dots{}
29345Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
29346
29347There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
29348@end table
29349
29350There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
29351needed for special purposes only.
29352
29353@node System-wide configuration
29354@section System-wide configuration and settings
29355@cindex system-wide init file
29356
29357@value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
29358this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
29359@value{GDBN} does during startup}).
29360
29361Here is the corresponding configure option:
29362
29363@table @code
29364@item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
29365Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
29366@var{file}.
29367@end table
29368
29369If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
29370it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
29371
29372@itemize @bullet
29373@item
29374If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
29375it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
29376are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
29377if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
29378init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
29379@file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
29380
29381@item
29382By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
29383it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
29384@option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
29385then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
29386wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
29387@end itemize
29388
29389@node Maintenance Commands
29390@appendix Maintenance Commands
29391@cindex maintenance commands
29392@cindex internal commands
29393
29394In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
29395includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
29396that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
29397provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
29398messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
29399
29400@table @code
29401@kindex maint agent
29402@kindex maint agent-eval
29403@item maint agent @var{expression}
29404@itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
29405Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
29406This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
29407(@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
29408expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
29409@samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
29410to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
29411globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
29412of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
29413the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
29414addition and return the sum.
29415
29416@kindex maint info breakpoints
29417@item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
29418Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
29419breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
29420internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
29421breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
29422is shown:
29423
29424@table @code
29425@item breakpoint
29426Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
29427
29428@item watchpoint
29429Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
29430
29431@item longjmp
29432Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
29433@code{longjmp} calls.
29434
29435@item longjmp resume
29436Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
29437
29438@item until
29439Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
29440
29441@item finish
29442Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
29443
29444@item shlib events
29445Shared library events.
29446
29447@end table
29448
29449@kindex set displaced-stepping
29450@kindex show displaced-stepping
29451@cindex displaced stepping support
29452@cindex out-of-line single-stepping
29453@item set displaced-stepping
29454@itemx show displaced-stepping
29455Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
29456if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
29457over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
29458an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
29459breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
29460
29461@table @code
29462@item set displaced-stepping on
29463If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
29464displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
29465
29466@item set displaced-stepping off
29467@value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
29468even if such is supported by the target architecture.
29469
29470@cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
29471@item set displaced-stepping auto
29472This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
29473only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
29474architecture supports displaced stepping.
29475@end table
29476
29477@kindex maint check-symtabs
29478@item maint check-symtabs
29479Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
29480
29481@kindex maint cplus first_component
29482@item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
29483Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
29484
29485@kindex maint cplus namespace
29486@item maint cplus namespace
29487Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
29488
29489@kindex maint demangle
29490@item maint demangle @var{name}
29491Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
29492
29493@kindex maint deprecate
29494@kindex maint undeprecate
29495@cindex deprecated commands
29496@item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
29497@itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
29498Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
29499cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
29500argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
29501favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
29502the replacement as part of the warning.
29503
29504@kindex maint dump-me
29505@item maint dump-me
29506@cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
29507Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
29508This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
29509with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
29510
29511@kindex maint internal-error
29512@kindex maint internal-warning
29513@item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
29514@itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
29515Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
29516or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
29517or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
29518internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
29519either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
29520@value{GDBN} session.
29521
29522These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
29523used as the text of the error or warning message.
29524
29525Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
29526
29527@smallexample
29528(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
29529@dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
29530A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
29531debugging may prove unreliable.
29532Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
29533Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
29534(@value{GDBP})
29535@end smallexample
29536
29537@cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
29538@cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
29539
29540@kindex maint set internal-error
29541@kindex maint show internal-error
29542@kindex maint set internal-warning
29543@kindex maint show internal-warning
29544@item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
29545@itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
29546@itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
29547@itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
29548When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
29549gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
29550core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
29551override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
29552described in the table below.
29553
29554@table @samp
29555@item quit
29556You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
29557quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
29558
29559@item corefile
29560You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
29561create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
29562@end table
29563
29564@kindex maint packet
29565@item maint packet @var{text}
29566If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
29567then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
29568displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
29569@samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
29570checksum.
29571
29572@kindex maint print architecture
29573@item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29574Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
29575@var{file} names the file where the output goes.
29576
29577@kindex maint print c-tdesc
29578@item maint print c-tdesc
29579Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
29580a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
29581when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
29582
29583@kindex maint print dummy-frames
29584@item maint print dummy-frames
29585Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
29586
29587@smallexample
29588(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
29589@dots{}
29590(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
29591Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
2959258 return (a + b);
29593The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
29594@dots{}
29595(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
295960x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
29597 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
29598 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
29599(@value{GDBP})
29600@end smallexample
29601
29602Takes an optional file parameter.
29603
29604@kindex maint print registers
29605@kindex maint print raw-registers
29606@kindex maint print cooked-registers
29607@kindex maint print register-groups
29608@item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29609@itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29610@itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29611@itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29612Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
29613
29614The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
29615the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
29616includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
29617aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
29618command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
29619register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
29620@value{GDBN} Internals}.
29621
29622These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
29623write the information.
29624
29625@kindex maint print reggroups
29626@item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
29627Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
29628optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
29629information.
29630
29631The register groups info looks like this:
29632
29633@smallexample
29634(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
29635 Group Type
29636 general user
29637 float user
29638 all user
29639 vector user
29640 system user
29641 save internal
29642 restore internal
29643@end smallexample
29644
29645@kindex flushregs
29646@item flushregs
29647This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
29648
29649@kindex maint print objfiles
29650@cindex info for known object files
29651@item maint print objfiles
29652Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
29653command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
29654and symtabs.
29655
29656@kindex maint print section-scripts
29657@cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
29658@item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
29659Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
29660If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
29661matching @var{regexp}.
29662For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
29663and the full path if known.
29664@xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
29665
29666@kindex maint print statistics
29667@cindex bcache statistics
29668@item maint print statistics
29669This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
29670about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
29671statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
29672of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
29673defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
29674the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
29675used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
29676sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
29677average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
29678savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
29679lengths.
29680
29681@kindex maint print target-stack
29682@cindex target stack description
29683@item maint print target-stack
29684A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
29685kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
29686so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
29687In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
29688until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
29689address.
29690
29691This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
29692the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
29693
29694@kindex maint print type
29695@cindex type chain of a data type
29696@item maint print type @var{expr}
29697Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
29698can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
29699that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
29700a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
29701data structures, including its flags and contained types.
29702
29703@kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
29704@kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
29705@item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
29706@itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
29707Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
29708
29709@cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
29710In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
29711produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
29712reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
29713This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
29714cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
29715compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
29716memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
29717slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
29718
29719@kindex maint set profile
29720@kindex maint show profile
29721@cindex profiling GDB
29722@item maint set profile
29723@itemx maint show profile
29724Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
29725
29726Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
29727command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
29728collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
29729exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
29730if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
29731(often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
29732data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
29733
29734Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
29735compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
29736
29737@kindex maint set show-debug-regs
29738@kindex maint show show-debug-regs
29739@cindex hardware debug registers
29740@item maint set show-debug-regs
29741@itemx maint show show-debug-regs
29742Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
29743registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
29744enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
29745removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
29746triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
29747
29748@kindex maint set show-all-tib
29749@kindex maint show show-all-tib
29750@item maint set show-all-tib
29751@itemx maint show show-all-tib
29752Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
29753at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
29754command.
29755
29756@kindex maint space
29757@cindex memory used by commands
29758@item maint space
29759Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
29760nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
29761took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
29762by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
29763switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
29764
29765@kindex maint time
29766@cindex time of command execution
29767@item maint time
29768Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
29769set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
29770took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
29771The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
29772there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
29773by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
29774it's not possibly currently
29775This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
29776@option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
29777
29778@kindex maint translate-address
29779@item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
29780Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
29781@var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
29782@value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
29783the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
29784the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
29785command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
29786
29787If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
29788is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
29789executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
29790
29791@end table
29792
29793The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
29794@value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
29795
29796@table @code
29797@item set watchdog @var{nsec}
29798@kindex set watchdog
29799@cindex watchdog timer
29800@cindex timeout for commands
29801Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
29802target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
29803reports and error and the command is aborted.
29804
29805@item show watchdog
29806Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
29807@end table
29808
29809@node Remote Protocol
29810@appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
29811
29812@menu
29813* Overview::
29814* Packets::
29815* Stop Reply Packets::
29816* General Query Packets::
29817* Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
29818* Tracepoint Packets::
29819* Host I/O Packets::
29820* Interrupts::
29821* Notification Packets::
29822* Remote Non-Stop::
29823* Packet Acknowledgment::
29824* Examples::
29825* File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
29826* Library List Format::
29827* Memory Map Format::
29828* Thread List Format::
29829@end menu
29830
29831@node Overview
29832@section Overview
29833
29834There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
29835protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
29836machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
29837recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
29838
29839In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
29840transmitted and received data, respectively.
29841
29842@cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
29843@cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
29844@cindex remote serial protocol
29845All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
29846and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
29847@var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
29848@samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
29849@samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
29850
29851@smallexample
29852@code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29853@end smallexample
29854@noindent
29855
29856@cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
29857@noindent
29858The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
29859characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
29860eight bit unsigned checksum).
29861
29862Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
29863specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
29864
29865@smallexample
29866@code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29867@end smallexample
29868
29869@cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
29870@noindent
29871That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
29872has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
29873since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
29874
29875When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
29876response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
29877the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
29878retransmission):
29879
29880@smallexample
29881-> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
29882<- @code{+}
29883@end smallexample
29884@noindent
29885
29886The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
29887once a connection is established.
29888@xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
29889
29890The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
29891debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
29892the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
29893when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
29894threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
29895behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
29896execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
29897
29898@var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
29899exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
29900exceptions).
29901
29902@cindex remote protocol, field separator
29903Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
29904@samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
29905@sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
29906
29907Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
29908@samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
29909would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
29910
29911@cindex remote protocol, binary data
29912@anchor{Binary Data}
29913Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
29914digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
29915protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
29916Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
29917connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
29918binary data.
29919
29920The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
29921as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
29922character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
29923For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
29924bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
29925@code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
29926@samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
29927must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
29928is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
29929(described next).
29930
29931Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
29932Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
29933instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
29934repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
29935binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
29936@code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
29937produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
29938code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
29939encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
29940@samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
29941after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
299423}} more times.
29943
29944The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
29945greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
29946seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
29947five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
29948@samp{0*"00}.
29949
29950The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
29951error number. That number is not well defined.
29952
29953@cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
29954For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
29955(@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
29956protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
29957on that response.
29958
29959A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
29960@samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
29961optional.
29962
29963@node Packets
29964@section Packets
29965
29966The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
29967@var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
29968@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
29969I/O extension of the remote protocol.
29970
29971Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
29972syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
29973include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
29974part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
29975separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
29976@var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
29977bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
29978@var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
29979@samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
29980@var{baz}.
29981
29982@cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
29983@anchor{thread-id syntax}
29984Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
29985a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
29986interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
29987can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
29988pick any thread.
29989
29990In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
29991which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
29992process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
29993The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
29994format described above: a positive number with target-specific
29995interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
29996to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
29997indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
29998@samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
29999error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
30000@samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
30001for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
30002ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
30003
30004The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
30005@value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
30006feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
30007more information.
30008
30009Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
30010letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
30011
30012Here are the packet descriptions.
30013
30014@table @samp
30015
30016@item !
30017@cindex @samp{!} packet
30018@anchor{extended mode}
30019Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
30020persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
30021debugged.
30022
30023Reply:
30024@table @samp
30025@item OK
30026The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
30027@end table
30028
30029@item ?
30030@cindex @samp{?} packet
30031Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
30032step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
30033target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
30034
30035Reply:
30036@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30037
30038@item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
30039@cindex @samp{A} packet
30040Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
30041specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
30042@var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
30043
30044Reply:
30045@table @samp
30046@item OK
30047The arguments were set.
30048@item E @var{NN}
30049An error occurred.
30050@end table
30051
30052@item b @var{baud}
30053@cindex @samp{b} packet
30054(Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
30055Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
30056
30057JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
30058received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
30059problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
30060
30061Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
30062it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
30063some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
30064switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
30065of view, nothing actually happened.}
30066
30067@item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
30068@cindex @samp{B} packet
30069Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
30070breakpoint at @var{addr}.
30071
30072Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
30073(@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
30074
30075@cindex @samp{bc} packet
30076@anchor{bc}
30077@item bc
30078Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
30079@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30080
30081Reply:
30082@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30083
30084@cindex @samp{bs} packet
30085@anchor{bs}
30086@item bs
30087Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
30088@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30089
30090Reply:
30091@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30092
30093@item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
30094@cindex @samp{c} packet
30095Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
30096resume at current address.
30097
30098Reply:
30099@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30100
30101@item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
30102@cindex @samp{C} packet
30103Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
30104@samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
30105
30106Reply:
30107@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30108
30109@item d
30110@cindex @samp{d} packet
30111Toggle debug flag.
30112
30113Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
30114(@pxref{General Query Packets}).
30115
30116@item D
30117@itemx D;@var{pid}
30118@cindex @samp{D} packet
30119The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
30120remote system. It is sent to the remote target
30121before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
30122
30123The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
30124protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
30125detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
30126big-endian hex string.
30127
30128Reply:
30129@table @samp
30130@item OK
30131for success
30132@item E @var{NN}
30133for an error
30134@end table
30135
30136@item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
30137@cindex @samp{F} packet
30138A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
30139This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
30140Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
30141
30142@item g
30143@anchor{read registers packet}
30144@cindex @samp{g} packet
30145Read general registers.
30146
30147Reply:
30148@table @samp
30149@item @var{XX@dots{}}
30150Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
30151with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
30152each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
30153determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
30154@code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
30155specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
30156@item E @var{NN}
30157for an error.
30158@end table
30159
30160@item G @var{XX@dots{}}
30161@cindex @samp{G} packet
30162Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
30163description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
30164
30165Reply:
30166@table @samp
30167@item OK
30168for success
30169@item E @var{NN}
30170for an error
30171@end table
30172
30173@item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
30174@cindex @samp{H} packet
30175Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
30176@samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
30177should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
30178operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
30179interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30180
30181Reply:
30182@table @samp
30183@item OK
30184for success
30185@item E @var{NN}
30186for an error
30187@end table
30188
30189@c FIXME: JTC:
30190@c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
30191@c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
30192@c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
30193@c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
30194@c described. For example:
30195@c
30196@c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
30197@c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
30198@c otherwise returns current registers.
30199@c
30200@c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
30201@c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
30202@c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
30203
30204@item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
30205@anchor{cycle step packet}
30206@cindex @samp{i} packet
30207Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
30208present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
30209step starting at that address.
30210
30211@item I
30212@cindex @samp{I} packet
30213Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
30214step packet}.
30215
30216@item k
30217@cindex @samp{k} packet
30218Kill request.
30219
30220FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
30221thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
30222thread?)}.
30223
30224@item m @var{addr},@var{length}
30225@cindex @samp{m} packet
30226Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
30227Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
30228
30229The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
30230data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
30231and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
30232use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
30233suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
30234@cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
30235@cindex size of remote memory accesses
30236@cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
30237
30238Reply:
30239@table @samp
30240@item @var{XX@dots{}}
30241Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
30242number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
30243server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
30244@item E @var{NN}
30245@var{NN} is errno
30246@end table
30247
30248@item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
30249@cindex @samp{M} packet
30250Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
30251@var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
30252hexadecimal number.
30253
30254Reply:
30255@table @samp
30256@item OK
30257for success
30258@item E @var{NN}
30259for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
30260written).
30261@end table
30262
30263@item p @var{n}
30264@cindex @samp{p} packet
30265Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
30266@xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
30267register value is encoded.
30268
30269Reply:
30270@table @samp
30271@item @var{XX@dots{}}
30272the register's value
30273@item E @var{NN}
30274for an error
30275@item
30276Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
30277@end table
30278
30279@item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
30280@anchor{write register packet}
30281@cindex @samp{P} packet
30282Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
30283number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
30284digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
30285
30286Reply:
30287@table @samp
30288@item OK
30289for success
30290@item E @var{NN}
30291for an error
30292@end table
30293
30294@item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
30295@itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
30296@cindex @samp{q} packet
30297@cindex @samp{Q} packet
30298General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
30299described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
30300
30301@item r
30302@cindex @samp{r} packet
30303Reset the entire system.
30304
30305Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
30306
30307@item R @var{XX}
30308@cindex @samp{R} packet
30309Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
30310This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30311
30312The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
30313
30314@item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
30315@cindex @samp{s} packet
30316Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
30317@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
30318
30319Reply:
30320@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30321
30322@item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
30323@anchor{step with signal packet}
30324@cindex @samp{S} packet
30325Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
30326requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
30327
30328Reply:
30329@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30330
30331@item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
30332@cindex @samp{t} packet
30333Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
30334@var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
30335@var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
30336
30337@item T @var{thread-id}
30338@cindex @samp{T} packet
30339Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
30340
30341Reply:
30342@table @samp
30343@item OK
30344thread is still alive
30345@item E @var{NN}
30346thread is dead
30347@end table
30348
30349@item v
30350Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
30351up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
30352
30353@item vAttach;@var{pid}
30354@cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
30355Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
30356The process ID is a
30357hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
30358threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
30359attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
30360
30361@c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
30362@c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
30363@c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
30364@c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
30365@c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
30366@c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
30367@c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
30368@c stopping or restarting threads.
30369
30370This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30371
30372Reply:
30373@table @samp
30374@item E @var{nn}
30375for an error
30376@item @r{Any stop packet}
30377for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30378@item OK
30379for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
30380@end table
30381
30382@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
30383@cindex @samp{vCont} packet
30384Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
30385If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
30386threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
30387specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
30388in their current state in non-stop mode.
30389Specifying multiple
30390default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
30391Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30392
30393Currently supported actions are:
30394
30395@table @samp
30396@item c
30397Continue.
30398@item C @var{sig}
30399Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
30400@item s
30401Step.
30402@item S @var{sig}
30403Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
30404@item t
30405Stop.
30406@end table
30407
30408The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
30409@samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
30410not supported in @samp{vCont}.
30411
30412The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
30413(@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
30414A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
30415When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
30416the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
30417signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
30418as an implementation detail.
30419
30420Reply:
30421@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
30422
30423@item vCont?
30424@cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
30425Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
30426
30427Reply:
30428@table @samp
30429@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
30430The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
30431command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
30432@item
30433The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
30434@end table
30435
30436@item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
30437@cindex @samp{vFile} packet
30438Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
30439see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
30440
30441@item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
30442@cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
30443Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
30444@var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
30445its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
30446flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
30447Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
30448together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
30449stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
30450packet is received.
30451
30452The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
30453multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
30454this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
30455in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
30456@var{thread-id}.
30457
30458Reply:
30459@table @samp
30460@item OK
30461for success
30462@item E @var{NN}
30463for an error
30464@end table
30465
30466@item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
30467@cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
30468Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
30469is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
30470packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
30471@samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
30472not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
30473(although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
30474have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
30475@samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
30476neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
30477target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
30478
30479
30480Reply:
30481@table @samp
30482@item OK
30483for success
30484@item E.memtype
30485for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
30486@item E @var{NN}
30487for an error
30488@end table
30489
30490@item vFlashDone
30491@cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
30492Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
30493The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
30494@samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
30495@samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
30496regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
30497request is completed.
30498
30499@item vKill;@var{pid}
30500@cindex @samp{vKill} packet
30501Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
30502hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
30503preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
30504supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
30505
30506Reply:
30507@table @samp
30508@item E @var{nn}
30509for an error
30510@item OK
30511for success
30512@end table
30513
30514@item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
30515@cindex @samp{vRun} packet
30516Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
30517command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
30518@var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
30519(e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
30520state.
30521
30522@c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
30523
30524This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
30525
30526Reply:
30527@table @samp
30528@item E @var{nn}
30529for an error
30530@item @r{Any stop packet}
30531for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30532@end table
30533
30534@item vStopped
30535@anchor{vStopped packet}
30536@cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
30537
30538In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
30539reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
30540
30541Reply:
30542@table @samp
30543@item @r{Any stop packet}
30544if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
30545@item OK
30546if there are no unreported stop events
30547@end table
30548
30549@item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
30550@anchor{X packet}
30551@cindex @samp{X} packet
30552Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
30553@var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
30554@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
30555
30556Reply:
30557@table @samp
30558@item OK
30559for success
30560@item E @var{NN}
30561for an error
30562@end table
30563
30564@item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
30565@itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
30566@anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
30567@cindex @samp{z} packet
30568@cindex @samp{Z} packets
30569Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
30570watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
30571
30572Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
30573separately.
30574
30575@emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
30576for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
30577remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
30578@samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
30579avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
30580be implemented in an idempotent way.}
30581
30582@item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30583@itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30584@cindex @samp{z0} packet
30585@cindex @samp{Z0} packet
30586Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
30587@var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
30588
30589A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
30590@var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
30591@var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
30592the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
30593and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
30594architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
30595see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
30596
30597@emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
30598code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
30599overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
30600target, is not defined.}
30601
30602Reply:
30603@table @samp
30604@item OK
30605success
30606@item
30607not supported
30608@item E @var{NN}
30609for an error
30610@end table
30611
30612@item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30613@itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30614@cindex @samp{z1} packet
30615@cindex @samp{Z1} packet
30616Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
30617address @var{addr}.
30618
30619A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
30620dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
30621has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
30622
30623@emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
30624movement.}
30625
30626Reply:
30627@table @samp
30628@item OK
30629success
30630@item
30631not supported
30632@item E @var{NN}
30633for an error
30634@end table
30635
30636@item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30637@itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30638@cindex @samp{z2} packet
30639@cindex @samp{Z2} packet
30640Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30641@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30642
30643Reply:
30644@table @samp
30645@item OK
30646success
30647@item
30648not supported
30649@item E @var{NN}
30650for an error
30651@end table
30652
30653@item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30654@itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30655@cindex @samp{z3} packet
30656@cindex @samp{Z3} packet
30657Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30658@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30659
30660Reply:
30661@table @samp
30662@item OK
30663success
30664@item
30665not supported
30666@item E @var{NN}
30667for an error
30668@end table
30669
30670@item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30671@itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
30672@cindex @samp{z4} packet
30673@cindex @samp{Z4} packet
30674Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
30675@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
30676
30677Reply:
30678@table @samp
30679@item OK
30680success
30681@item
30682not supported
30683@item E @var{NN}
30684for an error
30685@end table
30686
30687@end table
30688
30689@node Stop Reply Packets
30690@section Stop Reply Packets
30691@cindex stop reply packets
30692
30693The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
30694@samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
30695receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
30696and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
30697when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
30698number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
30699@value{GDBN} source code.
30700
30701As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
30702reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
30703syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
30704components.
30705
30706@table @samp
30707
30708@item S @var{AA}
30709The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
30710number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
30711@var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
30712
30713@item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
30714@cindex @samp{T} packet reply
30715The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
30716number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
30717@samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
30718and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
30719round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
30720this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
30721
30722@itemize @bullet
30723@item
30724If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
30725corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
30726series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
30727two-digit hex number.
30728
30729@item
30730If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
30731the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
30732
30733@item
30734If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
30735the core on which the stop event was detected.
30736
30737@item
30738If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
30739specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
30740reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
30741signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
30742
30743@item
30744Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
30745and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
30746future.
30747@end itemize
30748
30749The currently defined stop reasons are:
30750
30751@table @samp
30752@item watch
30753@itemx rwatch
30754@itemx awatch
30755The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
30756hex.
30757
30758@cindex shared library events, remote reply
30759@item library
30760The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
30761@value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
30762list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
30763
30764@cindex replay log events, remote reply
30765@item replaylog
30766The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
30767logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
30768beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
30769will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
30770for more information.
30771@end table
30772
30773@item W @var{AA}
30774@itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
30775The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
30776applicable to certain targets.
30777
30778The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
30779process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
30780multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
30781The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
30782
30783@item X @var{AA}
30784@itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
30785The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
30786
30787The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
30788terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
30789support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
30790extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
30791
30792@item O @var{XX}@dots{}
30793@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
30794written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
30795while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
30796for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
30797
30798@item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
30799@var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
30800be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
30801correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
30802@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
30803system calls.
30804
30805@samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
30806this very system call.
30807
30808The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
30809call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
30810with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
30811reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
30812or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
30813Protocol Extension}, for more details.
30814
30815@end table
30816
30817@node General Query Packets
30818@section General Query Packets
30819@cindex remote query requests
30820
30821Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
30822packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
30823query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
30824sending information to and from the stub.
30825
30826The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
30827indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
30828@value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
30829definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
30830conventions:
30831
30832@itemize @bullet
30833@item
30834The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
30835@item
30836Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
30837letter.
30838@item
30839The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
30840lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
30841the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
30842foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
30843@end itemize
30844
30845The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
30846parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
30847separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
30848full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
30849in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
30850with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
30851packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
30852for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
30853are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
30854existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
30855packet.}.
30856
30857Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
30858has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
30859explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
30860templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
30861@value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
30862
30863Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
30864
30865@table @samp
30866
30867@item qC
30868@cindex current thread, remote request
30869@cindex @samp{qC} packet
30870Return the current thread ID.
30871
30872Reply:
30873@table @samp
30874@item QC @var{thread-id}
30875Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
30876@ref{thread-id syntax}.
30877@item @r{(anything else)}
30878Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
30879@end table
30880
30881@item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
30882@cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
30883@cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
30884Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
30885IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
30886significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
30887@code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
30888
30889@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
30890files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
30891Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
30892separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
30893significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
30894detect trailing zeros.
30895
30896Reply:
30897@table @samp
30898@item E @var{NN}
30899An error (such as memory fault)
30900@item C @var{crc32}
30901The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
30902@end table
30903
30904@item qfThreadInfo
30905@itemx qsThreadInfo
30906@cindex list active threads, remote request
30907@cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
30908@cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
30909Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
30910may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
30911works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
30912obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
30913be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
30914sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
30915
30916NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
30917
30918Reply:
30919@table @samp
30920@item m @var{thread-id}
30921A single thread ID
30922@item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
30923a comma-separated list of thread IDs
30924@item l
30925(lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
30926@end table
30927
30928In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
30929more thread IDs, separated by commas.
30930@value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
30931ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
30932with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
30933Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
30934fields.
30935
30936@item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
30937@cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
30938@cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
30939Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
30940by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
30941
30942@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
30943thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
30944
30945@var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
30946thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
30947information associated with the variable.)
30948
30949@var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
30950the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
30951a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
30952object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
30953Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
30954differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
30955
30956Reply:
30957@table @samp
30958@item @var{XX}@dots{}
30959Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
30960local storage requested.
30961
30962@item E @var{nn}
30963An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
30964
30965@item
30966An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
30967@end table
30968
30969@item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
30970@cindex get thread information block address
30971@cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
30972Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
30973
30974@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
30975
30976Reply:
30977@table @samp
30978@item @var{XX}@dots{}
30979Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
30980thread information block.
30981
30982@item E @var{nn}
30983An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
30984address could not be retrieved.
30985
30986@item
30987An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
30988@end table
30989
30990@item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
30991Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
30992digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
30993subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
30994number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
30995(eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
30996returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
30997
30998Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
30999
31000Reply:
31001@table @samp
31002@item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
31003Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
31004returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
31005and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
31006digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
31007is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
31008digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
31009@end table
31010
31011@item qOffsets
31012@cindex section offsets, remote request
31013@cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
31014Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
31015image.
31016
31017Reply:
31018@table @samp
31019@item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
31020Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
31021Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
31022If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
31023@samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
31024segments by the supplied offsets.
31025
31026@emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
31027@value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
31028to the @code{Bss} section.}
31029
31030@item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
31031Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
31032contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
31033@samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
31034conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
31035@var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
31036does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
31037as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
31038kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
31039@end table
31040
31041@item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
31042@cindex thread information, remote request
31043@cindex @samp{qP} packet
31044Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
31045encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
31046(@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
31047
31048Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
31049(see below).
31050
31051Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
31052
31053@item QNonStop:1
31054@item QNonStop:0
31055@cindex non-stop mode, remote request
31056@cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
31057@anchor{QNonStop}
31058Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
31059@xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
31060
31061Reply:
31062@table @samp
31063@item OK
31064The request succeeded.
31065
31066@item E @var{nn}
31067An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31068
31069@item
31070An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
31071the stub.
31072@end table
31073
31074This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31075by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31076Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
31077@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
31078
31079@item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
31080@cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
31081@cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
31082@anchor{QPassSignals}
31083Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
31084Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
31085(@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
31086strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
31087the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
31088reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
31089combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
31090new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
31091@var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
31092
31093Reply:
31094@table @samp
31095@item OK
31096The request succeeded.
31097
31098@item E @var{nn}
31099An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
31100
31101@item
31102An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
31103the stub.
31104@end table
31105
31106Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
31107command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
31108This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31109by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31110
31111@item qRcmd,@var{command}
31112@cindex execute remote command, remote request
31113@cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
31114@var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
31115execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
31116string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
31117with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
31118packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
31119stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
31120
31121Reply:
31122@table @samp
31123@item OK
31124A command response with no output.
31125@item @var{OUTPUT}
31126A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
31127@item E @var{NN}
31128Indicate a badly formed request.
31129@item
31130An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
31131@end table
31132
31133(Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
31134command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
31135conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
31136packets.)
31137
31138@item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
31139@cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
31140@cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
31141@anchor{qSearch memory}
31142Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
31143@var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
31144@var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
31145
31146Reply:
31147@table @samp
31148@item 0
31149The pattern was not found.
31150@item 1,address
31151The pattern was found at @var{address}.
31152@item E @var{NN}
31153A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
31154@item
31155An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
31156@end table
31157
31158@item QStartNoAckMode
31159@cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
31160@anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
31161Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
31162protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
31163
31164Reply:
31165@table @samp
31166@item OK
31167The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
31168@value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
31169but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
31170@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
31171@item
31172An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
31173@end table
31174
31175@item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
31176@cindex supported packets, remote query
31177@cindex features of the remote protocol
31178@cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
31179@anchor{qSupported}
31180Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
31181query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
31182@value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
31183features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
31184at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
31185packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
31186high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
31187be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
31188stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
31189automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
31190reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
31191unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
31192helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
31193versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
31194
31195Reply:
31196@table @samp
31197@item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
31198The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
31199depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
31200possible forms).
31201@item
31202An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
31203or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
31204@end table
31205
31206The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
31207@samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
31208are:
31209
31210@table @samp
31211@item @var{name}=@var{value}
31212The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
31213with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
31214on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
31215@item @var{name}+
31216The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
31217need an associated value.
31218@item @var{name}-
31219The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
31220@item @var{name}?
31221The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
31222@value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
31223needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
31224but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
31225@end table
31226
31227Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
31228supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
31229request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
31230state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
31231a different version of @value{GDBN}.
31232
31233The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
31234are defined:
31235
31236@table @samp
31237@item multiprocess
31238This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
31239extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
31240extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
31241including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
31242@xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
31243
31244@item xmlRegisters
31245This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
31246description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
31247specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
31248description.
31249@end table
31250
31251Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
31252@var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
31253packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
31254versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
31255for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
31256advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
31257improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
31258an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
31259of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
31260describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
31261all the features it supports.
31262
31263Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
31264responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
31265
31266Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
31267should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
31268require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
31269form response.
31270
31271Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
31272@samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
31273in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
31274stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
31275
31276Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
31277mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
31278architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
31279about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
31280stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
31281
31282These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
31283
31284@multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
31285@c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
31286@c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
31287@item Feature Name
31288@tab Value Required
31289@tab Default
31290@tab Probe Allowed
31291
31292@item @samp{PacketSize}
31293@tab Yes
31294@tab @samp{-}
31295@tab No
31296
31297@item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
31298@tab No
31299@tab @samp{-}
31300@tab Yes
31301
31302@item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
31303@tab No
31304@tab @samp{-}
31305@tab Yes
31306
31307@item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
31308@tab No
31309@tab @samp{-}
31310@tab Yes
31311
31312@item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
31313@tab No
31314@tab @samp{-}
31315@tab Yes
31316
31317@item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
31318@tab No
31319@tab @samp{-}
31320@tab Yes
31321
31322@item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
31323@tab No
31324@tab @samp{-}
31325@tab Yes
31326
31327@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
31328@tab No
31329@tab @samp{-}
31330@tab Yes
31331
31332@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
31333@tab No
31334@tab @samp{-}
31335@tab Yes
31336
31337@item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
31338@tab No
31339@tab @samp{-}
31340@tab Yes
31341
31342
31343@item @samp{QNonStop}
31344@tab No
31345@tab @samp{-}
31346@tab Yes
31347
31348@item @samp{QPassSignals}
31349@tab No
31350@tab @samp{-}
31351@tab Yes
31352
31353@item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
31354@tab No
31355@tab @samp{-}
31356@tab Yes
31357
31358@item @samp{multiprocess}
31359@tab No
31360@tab @samp{-}
31361@tab No
31362
31363@item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
31364@tab No
31365@tab @samp{-}
31366@tab No
31367
31368@item @samp{ReverseContinue}
31369@tab No
31370@tab @samp{-}
31371@tab No
31372
31373@item @samp{ReverseStep}
31374@tab No
31375@tab @samp{-}
31376@tab No
31377
31378@item @samp{TracepointSource}
31379@tab No
31380@tab @samp{-}
31381@tab No
31382
31383@end multitable
31384
31385These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
31386
31387@table @samp
31388@cindex packet size, remote protocol
31389@item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
31390The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
31391length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
31392transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
31393data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
31394There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
31395stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
31396byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
31397@value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
31398
31399@item qXfer:auxv:read
31400The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
31401(@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
31402
31403@item qXfer:features:read
31404The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
31405(@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
31406
31407@item qXfer:libraries:read
31408The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
31409(@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
31410
31411@item qXfer:memory-map:read
31412The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
31413(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
31414
31415@item qXfer:spu:read
31416The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
31417(@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
31418
31419@item qXfer:spu:write
31420The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
31421(@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
31422
31423@item qXfer:siginfo:read
31424The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
31425(@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
31426
31427@item qXfer:siginfo:write
31428The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
31429(@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
31430
31431@item qXfer:threads:read
31432The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
31433(@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
31434
31435@item QNonStop
31436The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
31437(@pxref{QNonStop}).
31438
31439@item QPassSignals
31440The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
31441(@pxref{QPassSignals}).
31442
31443@item QStartNoAckMode
31444The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
31445prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
31446
31447@item multiprocess
31448@anchor{multiprocess extensions}
31449@cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
31450The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
31451protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
31452thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
31453add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
31454replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
31455syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
31456debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
31457multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
31458indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
31459
31460@item qXfer:osdata:read
31461The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
31462((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
31463
31464@item ConditionalTracepoints
31465The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
31466for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
31467
31468@item ReverseContinue
31469The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
31470(@pxref{bc}).
31471
31472@item ReverseStep
31473The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
31474(@pxref{bs}).
31475
31476@item TracepointSource
31477The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
31478the source form of tracepoint definitions.
31479
31480@end table
31481
31482@item qSymbol::
31483@cindex symbol lookup, remote request
31484@cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
31485Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
31486requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
31487
31488Reply:
31489@table @samp
31490@item OK
31491The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
31492@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
31493The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
31494@value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
31495@samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
31496below.
31497@end table
31498
31499@item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
31500Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
31501
31502@var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
31503target has previously requested.
31504
31505@var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
31506@value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
31507will be empty.
31508
31509Reply:
31510@table @samp
31511@item OK
31512The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
31513@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
31514The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
31515encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
31516(if available), until the target ceases to request them.
31517@end table
31518
31519@item qTBuffer
31520@item QTBuffer
31521@item QTDisconnected
31522@itemx QTDP
31523@itemx QTDPsrc
31524@itemx QTDV
31525@itemx qTfP
31526@itemx qTfV
31527@itemx QTFrame
31528@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
31529
31530@item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
31531@cindex thread attributes info, remote request
31532@cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
31533Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
31534the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
31535see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
31536string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
31537for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
31538displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
31539examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
31540@samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
31541
31542Reply:
31543@table @samp
31544@item @var{XX}@dots{}
31545Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
31546comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
31547the thread's attributes.
31548@end table
31549
31550(Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
31551the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
31552conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
31553packets.)
31554
31555@item QTSave
31556@item qTsP
31557@item qTsV
31558@itemx QTStart
31559@itemx QTStop
31560@itemx QTinit
31561@itemx QTro
31562@itemx qTStatus
31563@itemx qTV
31564@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
31565
31566@item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31567@cindex read special object, remote request
31568@cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
31569@anchor{qXfer read}
31570Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
31571identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
31572starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
31573encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
31574additional details about what data to access.
31575
31576Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
31577@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
31578formats, listed below.
31579
31580@table @samp
31581@item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31582@anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
31583Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
31584auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
31585
31586This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31587by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31588
31589@item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31590@anchor{qXfer target description read}
31591Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
31592annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
31593always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
31594
31595This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31596by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31597
31598@item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31599@anchor{qXfer library list read}
31600Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
31601The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
31602(@pxref{qXfer read}).
31603
31604Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
31605not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
31606the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
31607
31608This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31609by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31610
31611@item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31612@anchor{qXfer memory map read}
31613Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
31614annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
31615(@pxref{qXfer read}).
31616
31617This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31618by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31619
31620@item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31621@anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
31622Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
31623system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
31624empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
31625
31626This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31627by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
31628(@pxref{qSupported}).
31629
31630@item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
31631@anchor{qXfer spu read}
31632Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
31633annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
31634@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
31635in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
31636in that context to be accessed.
31637
31638This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31639by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
31640(@pxref{qSupported}).
31641
31642@item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31643@anchor{qXfer threads read}
31644Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
31645annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
31646(@pxref{qXfer read}).
31647
31648This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31649by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31650
31651@item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
31652@anchor{qXfer osdata read}
31653Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
31654@xref{Operating System Information}.
31655
31656@end table
31657
31658Reply:
31659@table @samp
31660@item m @var{data}
31661Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
31662target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
31663it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
31664block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
31665@var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
31666request.
31667
31668@item l @var{data}
31669Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
31670There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
31671than the @var{length} in the request.
31672
31673@item l
31674The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
31675There is no more data to be read.
31676
31677@item E00
31678The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
31679
31680@item E @var{nn}
31681The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
31682@var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
31683
31684@item
31685An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
31686the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
31687@end table
31688
31689@item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31690@cindex write data into object, remote request
31691@anchor{qXfer write}
31692Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
31693identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
31694into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
31695(@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
31696is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
31697to access.
31698
31699Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
31700@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
31701formats, listed below.
31702
31703@table @samp
31704@item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31705@anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
31706Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
31707The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
31708empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
31709
31710This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31711by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
31712(@pxref{qSupported}).
31713
31714@item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
31715@anchor{qXfer spu write}
31716Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
31717annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
31718@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
31719in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
31720in that context to be accessed.
31721
31722This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
31723by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
31724@end table
31725
31726Reply:
31727@table @samp
31728@item @var{nn}
31729@var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
31730This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
31731
31732@item E00
31733The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
31734
31735@item E @var{nn}
31736The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
31737@var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
31738
31739@item
31740An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
31741recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
31742@end table
31743
31744@item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
31745Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
31746not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
31747@var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
31748must respond with an empty packet.
31749
31750@item qAttached:@var{pid}
31751@cindex query attached, remote request
31752@cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
31753Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
31754existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
31755protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
31756@var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
31757process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
31758the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
31759
31760This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
31761should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
31762the @code{quit} command.
31763
31764Reply:
31765@table @samp
31766@item 1
31767The remote server attached to an existing process.
31768@item 0
31769The remote server created a new process.
31770@item E @var{NN}
31771A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
31772@end table
31773
31774@end table
31775
31776@node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
31777@section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
31778
31779This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
31780target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
31781details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
31782
31783@subsection ARM
31784
31785@subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
31786
31787These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
31788
31789@table @r
31790
31791@item 2
3179216-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
31793
31794@item 3
3179532-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
31796
31797@item 4
3179832-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
31799
31800@end table
31801
31802@subsection MIPS
31803
31804@subsubsection Register Packet Format
31805
31806The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
31807In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
31808sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
31809to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
31810byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
31811most-significant - least-significant.
31812
31813@table @r
31814
31815@item MIPS32
31816
31817All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
3181832 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
31819registers; fsr; fir; fp.
31820
31821@item MIPS64
31822
31823All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
31824thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
31825as @code{MIPS32}.
31826
31827@end table
31828
31829@node Tracepoint Packets
31830@section Tracepoint Packets
31831@cindex tracepoint packets
31832@cindex packets, tracepoint
31833
31834Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
31835tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
31836
31837@table @samp
31838
31839@item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
31840Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
31841is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
31842the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
31843count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
31844then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
31845the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
31846for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
31847tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
31848by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
31849encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
31850further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
31851actions.
31852
31853Replies:
31854@table @samp
31855@item OK
31856The packet was understood and carried out.
31857@item
31858The packet was not recognized.
31859@end table
31860
31861@item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
31862Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
31863@var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
31864this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
31865another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
31866trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
31867specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
31868
31869In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
31870can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
31871is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
31872actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
31873taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
31874@samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
31875tracepoint actions.
31876
31877The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
31878actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
31879following forms:
31880
31881@table @samp
31882
31883@item R @var{mask}
31884Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
31885a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
31886@var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
31887zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
31888not fit in a 32-bit word.
31889
31890@item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
31891Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
31892number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
31893@samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
31894address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
31895@var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
31896values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
31897
31898@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
31899Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
31900it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
31901@ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
31902two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
31903in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
31904packet).
31905
31906@end table
31907
31908Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
31909packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
31910length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
31911action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
31912actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
31913must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
31914``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
31915separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
31916
31917Replies:
31918@table @samp
31919@item OK
31920The packet was understood and carried out.
31921@item
31922The packet was not recognized.
31923@end table
31924
31925@item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
31926@cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
31927Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
31928This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
31929originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
31930is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
31931tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
31932@var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
31933
31934@var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
31935string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
31936This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
31937fit in a single packet.
31938@c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
31939@c tracepoint descriptions section.
31940
31941The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
31942@samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
31943@value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
31944list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
31945
31946The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
31947report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
31948query packets.
31949
31950Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
31951if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
31952Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
31953much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
31954tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
31955the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
31956could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
31957be found.
31958
31959@item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
31960@cindex define trace state variable, remote request
31961@cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
31962Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
31963value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
31964and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
31965the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
31966target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
31967mentioned in expressions.
31968
31969@item QTFrame:@var{n}
31970Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
31971register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
31972request packets from @value{GDBN}.
31973
31974A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
31975requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
31976without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
31977one of the following forms:
31978
31979@table @samp
31980@item F @var{f}
31981The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
31982@var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
31983was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
31984
31985@item T @var{t}
31986The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
31987@var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
31988
31989@end table
31990
31991@item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
31992Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31993currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
31994@var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
31995
31996@item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
31997Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
31998currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
31999is a hexadecimal number.
32000
32001@item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
32002Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
32003currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
32004and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
32005numbers.
32006
32007@item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
32008Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
32009frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
32010
32011@item QTStart
32012Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
32013hits in the trace frame buffer.
32014
32015@item QTStop
32016End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
32017
32018@item QTinit
32019Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
32020
32021@item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
32022Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
32023will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
32024if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
32025
32026@value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
32027containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
32028still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
32029there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
32030
32031@item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
32032Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
32033disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
32034continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
32035@value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
32036
32037@item qTStatus
32038Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
32039
32040The reply has the form:
32041
32042@table @samp
32043
32044@item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
32045@var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
32046running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
32047optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
32048
32049@end table
32050
32051If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
32052explanations as one of the optional fields:
32053
32054@table @samp
32055
32056@item tnotrun:0
32057No trace has been run yet.
32058
32059@item tstop:0
32060The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
32061
32062@item tfull:0
32063The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
32064
32065@item tdisconnected:0
32066The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
32067
32068@item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
32069The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
32070
32071@item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
32072The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
32073string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
32074(for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
32075@var{text} is hex encoded.
32076
32077@item tunknown:0
32078The trace stopped for some other reason.
32079
32080@end table
32081
32082Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
32083Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
32084the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
32085numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
32086trace.
32087
32088@table @samp
32089
32090@item tframes:@var{n}
32091The number of trace frames in the buffer.
32092
32093@item tcreated:@var{n}
32094The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
32095be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
32096
32097@item tsize:@var{n}
32098The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
32099
32100@item tfree:@var{n}
32101The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
32102
32103@item circular:@var{n}
32104The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32105trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32106necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32107and may fill up.
32108
32109@item disconn:@var{n}
32110The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32111tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32112that the trace run will stop.
32113
32114@end table
32115
32116@item qTV:@var{var}
32117@cindex trace state variable value, remote request
32118@cindex @samp{qTV} packet
32119Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
32120
32121Replies:
32122@table @samp
32123@item V@var{value}
32124The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
32125value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
32126saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
32127user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
32128different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
32129program is running.
32130
32131@item U
32132The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
32133if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
32134was not collected.
32135@end table
32136
32137@item qTfP
32138@itemx qTsP
32139These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
32140the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
32141of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
32142to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
32143that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
32144
32145@item qTfV
32146@itemx qTsV
32147These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
32148target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
32149and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
32150these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
32151trace state variables.
32152
32153@item QTSave:@var{filename}
32154This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
32155@var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
32156as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
32157absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
32158
32159@item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
32160Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
32161starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
32162a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
32163The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
32164in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
32165A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
32166available.
32167
32168@item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
32169This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
32170@var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
32171
32172@end table
32173
32174@node Host I/O Packets
32175@section Host I/O Packets
32176@cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
32177@cindex file transfer, remote protocol
32178
32179The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
32180operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
32181used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
32182filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
32183layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
32184Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
32185protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
32186Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
32187target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
32188Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
32189
32190The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
32191its arguments. They have this format:
32192
32193@table @samp
32194
32195@item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
32196@var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
32197should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
32198for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
32199the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
32200numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
32201used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
32202hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
32203buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32204
32205@end table
32206
32207The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
32208
32209@table @samp
32210
32211@item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
32212@var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
32213non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
32214@var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
32215value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
32216operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
32217binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
32218normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
32219documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
32220@var{attachment}.
32221
32222@item
32223An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
32224
32225@end table
32226
32227These are the supported Host I/O operations:
32228
32229@table @samp
32230@item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
32231Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
32232return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
32233@var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
32234(@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
32235of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
32236@xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
32237
32238@item vFile:close: @var{fd}
32239Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
32240-1 if an error occurs.
32241
32242@item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
32243Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
32244@var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
32245relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
32246common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
32247condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
32248returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
32249@var{count} was zero.
32250
32251The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
32252If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
32253attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
32254number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
32255some characters were escaped.
32256
32257@item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
32258Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
32259to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
32260file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
32261separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
32262packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
32263which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
32264error occurred.
32265
32266@item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
32267Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
32268or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
32269
32270@end table
32271
32272@node Interrupts
32273@section Interrupts
32274@cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
32275
32276When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
32277attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
32278a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
32279control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
32280
32281The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
32282mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
32283currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
32284interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
32285@code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
32286
32287@samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
32288transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
32289@code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
32290the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
32291transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
32292and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
32293(@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
32294@code{0x03} as part of its packet.
32295
32296@code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
32297When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
32298it stops execution and connects to gdb.
32299
32300Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
32301precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
32302implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
32303threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
32304currently-executing threads and processes.
32305If the stub is successful at interrupting the
32306running program, it should send one of the stop
32307reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
32308of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
32309for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
32310Interrupts received while the
32311program is stopped are discarded.
32312
32313@node Notification Packets
32314@section Notification Packets
32315@cindex notification packets
32316@cindex packets, notification
32317
32318The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
32319packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
32320may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
32321present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
32322without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
32323are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
32324is not a problem.
32325
32326A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
32327@var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
32328and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
32329as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
32330never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
32331receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
32332to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
32333
32334Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
32335colon characters, followed by a colon character.
32336
32337Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
32338notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
32339timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
32340not they understand it.
32341
32342Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
32343protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
32344future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
32345new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
32346recipients.
32347
32348(Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
32349the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
32350transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
32351are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
32352assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
32353
32354The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
32355defined:
32356
32357@table @samp
32358@item Stop: @var{reply}
32359Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
32360The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
32361described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
32362for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
32363@value{GDBN}.
32364@end table
32365
32366@node Remote Non-Stop
32367@section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
32368
32369@value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
32370multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
32371supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
32372@samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32373
32374@value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
32375establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
32376does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
32377must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
32378all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
32379probe the target state after a mode change.
32380
32381In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
32382would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
32383asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
32384inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
32385in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
32386mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
32387when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
32388of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
32389affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
32390to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
32391threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
32392
32393Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
32394additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
32395previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
32396synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
32397@value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
32398the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
32399if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
32400ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
32401finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
32402sending any queued stop events.
32403
32404Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
32405notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
32406@value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
32407@value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
32408@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
32409Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
32410the stub so there is no ambiguity.
32411
32412After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
32413acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
32414as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
32415is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
32416send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
32417process normally.
32418
32419Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
32420stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
32421normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
32422@samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
32423permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
32424should process normally.
32425
32426If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
32427additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
32428response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
32429send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
32430notification, and the process shall be repeated.
32431
32432In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
32433follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
32434sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
32435sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
32436it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
32437stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
32438subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
32439using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
32440asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
32441If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
32442or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
32443@samp{OK}.
32444
32445@node Packet Acknowledgment
32446@section Packet Acknowledgment
32447
32448@cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
32449@cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
32450By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
32451the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32452the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
32453This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
32454unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
32455
32456In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
32457TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
32458It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
32459overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
32460@samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
32461
32462When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
32463expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
32464and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
32465@ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
32466
32467If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
32468no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
32469by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
32470@pxref{qSupported}.
32471If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
32472disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
32473(@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
32474@value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
32475Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
32476@value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
32477response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
32478
32479Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
32480between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
32481it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
32482connection.
32483Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
32484new connection is established,
32485there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
32486for the current connection, once disabled.
32487
32488@node Examples
32489@section Examples
32490
32491Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
32492does not get any direct output:
32493
32494@smallexample
32495-> @code{R00}
32496<- @code{+}
32497@emph{target restarts}
32498-> @code{?}
32499<- @code{+}
32500<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
32501-> @code{+}
32502@end smallexample
32503
32504Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
32505
32506@smallexample
32507-> @code{G1445@dots{}}
32508<- @code{+}
32509-> @code{s}
32510<- @code{+}
32511@emph{time passes}
32512<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
32513-> @code{+}
32514-> @code{g}
32515<- @code{+}
32516<- @code{1455@dots{}}
32517-> @code{+}
32518@end smallexample
32519
32520@node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
32521@section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
32522@cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
32523
32524@menu
32525* File-I/O Overview::
32526* Protocol Basics::
32527* The F Request Packet::
32528* The F Reply Packet::
32529* The Ctrl-C Message::
32530* Console I/O::
32531* List of Supported Calls::
32532* Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
32533* Constants::
32534* File-I/O Examples::
32535@end menu
32536
32537@node File-I/O Overview
32538@subsection File-I/O Overview
32539@cindex file-i/o overview
32540
32541The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
32542target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
32543system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
32544remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
32545actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
32546This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
32547
32548The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
32549It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
32550@value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
32551translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
32552protocol representations when data is transmitted.
32553
32554The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
32555@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
32556or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
32557the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
32558memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
32559the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
32560(@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
32561
32562The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
32563the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
32564after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
32565previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
32566request from @value{GDBN} is required.
32567
32568@smallexample
32569(@value{GDBP}) continue
32570 <- target requests 'system call X'
32571 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
32572 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
32573 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
32574 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
32575@end smallexample
32576
32577The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
32578the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
32579named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
32580system are not supported by this protocol.
32581
32582File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
32583
32584@node Protocol Basics
32585@subsection Protocol Basics
32586@cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
32587
32588The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
32589as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
32590@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
32591the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
32592of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
32593This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
32594to call the appropriate host system call:
32595
32596@itemize @bullet
32597@item
32598A unique identifier for the requested system call.
32599
32600@item
32601All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
32602in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
32603pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
32604Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
32605
32606@end itemize
32607
32608At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
32609
32610@itemize @bullet
32611@item
32612If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
32613system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
32614standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
32615expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
32616packet.
32617
32618@item
32619@value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
32620representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
32621
32622@item
32623@value{GDBN} calls the system call.
32624
32625@item
32626It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
32627
32628@item
32629If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
32630by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
32631target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
32632by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
32633packet.
32634
32635@end itemize
32636
32637Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
32638necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
32639
32640@itemize @bullet
32641@item
32642Return value.
32643
32644@item
32645@code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
32646
32647@item
32648``Ctrl-C'' flag.
32649
32650@end itemize
32651
32652After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
32653the latest continue or step action.
32654
32655@node The F Request Packet
32656@subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
32657@cindex file-i/o request packet
32658@cindex @code{F} request packet
32659
32660The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
32661
32662@table @samp
32663@item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
32664
32665@var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
32666This is just the name of the function.
32667
32668@var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
32669Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
32670of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
32671datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
32672of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
32673comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
32674string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
32675
32676@end table
32677
32678
32679
32680@node The F Reply Packet
32681@subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
32682@cindex file-i/o reply packet
32683@cindex @code{F} reply packet
32684
32685The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
32686
32687@table @samp
32688
32689@item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
32690
32691@var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
32692
32693@var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
32694representation.
32695This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
32696
32697@var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
32698case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
32699The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
32700
32701@smallexample
32702F0,0,C
32703@end smallexample
32704
32705@noindent
32706or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
32707
32708@smallexample
32709F-1,4,C
32710@end smallexample
32711
32712@noindent
32713assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
32714
32715@end table
32716
32717
32718@node The Ctrl-C Message
32719@subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
32720@cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
32721
32722If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
32723reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
32724the target should behave as if it had
32725gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
32726interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
32727(as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
32728packet.
32729
32730It's important for the target to know in which
32731state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
32732
32733@itemize @bullet
32734@item
32735The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
32736
32737@item
32738The system call on the host has been finished.
32739
32740@end itemize
32741
32742These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
32743returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
32744call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
32745on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
32746system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
32747as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
32748
32749@value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
32750yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
32751@code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
32752before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
32753@value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
32754The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
32755or the full action has been completed.
32756
32757@node Console I/O
32758@subsection Console I/O
32759@cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
32760
32761By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
32762descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
32763on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
32764(@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
32765by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
327660 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
32767conditions is met:
32768
32769@itemize @bullet
32770@item
32771The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
32772@code{read}
32773system call is treated as finished.
32774
32775@item
32776The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
32777newline.
32778
32779@item
32780The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
32781character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
32782
32783@end itemize
32784
32785If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
32786the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
32787either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
32788is stopped at the user's request.
32789
32790
32791@node List of Supported Calls
32792@subsection List of Supported Calls
32793@cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
32794
32795@menu
32796* open::
32797* close::
32798* read::
32799* write::
32800* lseek::
32801* rename::
32802* unlink::
32803* stat/fstat::
32804* gettimeofday::
32805* isatty::
32806* system::
32807@end menu
32808
32809@node open
32810@unnumberedsubsubsec open
32811@cindex open, file-i/o system call
32812
32813@table @asis
32814@item Synopsis:
32815@smallexample
32816int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
32817int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
32818@end smallexample
32819
32820@item Request:
32821@samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
32822
32823@noindent
32824@var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
32825
32826@table @code
32827@item O_CREAT
32828If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
32829rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
32830are concerned.
32831
32832@item O_EXCL
32833When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
32834an error and open() fails.
32835
32836@item O_TRUNC
32837If the file already exists and the open mode allows
32838writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
32839truncated to zero length.
32840
32841@item O_APPEND
32842The file is opened in append mode.
32843
32844@item O_RDONLY
32845The file is opened for reading only.
32846
32847@item O_WRONLY
32848The file is opened for writing only.
32849
32850@item O_RDWR
32851The file is opened for reading and writing.
32852@end table
32853
32854@noindent
32855Other bits are silently ignored.
32856
32857
32858@noindent
32859@var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
32860
32861@table @code
32862@item S_IRUSR
32863User has read permission.
32864
32865@item S_IWUSR
32866User has write permission.
32867
32868@item S_IRGRP
32869Group has read permission.
32870
32871@item S_IWGRP
32872Group has write permission.
32873
32874@item S_IROTH
32875Others have read permission.
32876
32877@item S_IWOTH
32878Others have write permission.
32879@end table
32880
32881@noindent
32882Other bits are silently ignored.
32883
32884
32885@item Return value:
32886@code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
32887occurred.
32888
32889@item Errors:
32890
32891@table @code
32892@item EEXIST
32893@var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
32894
32895@item EISDIR
32896@var{pathname} refers to a directory.
32897
32898@item EACCES
32899The requested access is not allowed.
32900
32901@item ENAMETOOLONG
32902@var{pathname} was too long.
32903
32904@item ENOENT
32905A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
32906
32907@item ENODEV
32908@var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
32909
32910@item EROFS
32911@var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
32912write access was requested.
32913
32914@item EFAULT
32915@var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
32916
32917@item ENOSPC
32918No space on device to create the file.
32919
32920@item EMFILE
32921The process already has the maximum number of files open.
32922
32923@item ENFILE
32924The limit on the total number of files open on the system
32925has been reached.
32926
32927@item EINTR
32928The call was interrupted by the user.
32929@end table
32930
32931@end table
32932
32933@node close
32934@unnumberedsubsubsec close
32935@cindex close, file-i/o system call
32936
32937@table @asis
32938@item Synopsis:
32939@smallexample
32940int close(int fd);
32941@end smallexample
32942
32943@item Request:
32944@samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
32945
32946@item Return value:
32947@code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
32948
32949@item Errors:
32950
32951@table @code
32952@item EBADF
32953@var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
32954
32955@item EINTR
32956The call was interrupted by the user.
32957@end table
32958
32959@end table
32960
32961@node read
32962@unnumberedsubsubsec read
32963@cindex read, file-i/o system call
32964
32965@table @asis
32966@item Synopsis:
32967@smallexample
32968int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
32969@end smallexample
32970
32971@item Request:
32972@samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
32973
32974@item Return value:
32975On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
32976Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
32977returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
32978
32979@item Errors:
32980
32981@table @code
32982@item EBADF
32983@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
32984reading.
32985
32986@item EFAULT
32987@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
32988
32989@item EINTR
32990The call was interrupted by the user.
32991@end table
32992
32993@end table
32994
32995@node write
32996@unnumberedsubsubsec write
32997@cindex write, file-i/o system call
32998
32999@table @asis
33000@item Synopsis:
33001@smallexample
33002int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
33003@end smallexample
33004
33005@item Request:
33006@samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
33007
33008@item Return value:
33009On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
33010Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
33011is returned.
33012
33013@item Errors:
33014
33015@table @code
33016@item EBADF
33017@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
33018writing.
33019
33020@item EFAULT
33021@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33022
33023@item EFBIG
33024An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
33025host-specific maximum file size allowed.
33026
33027@item ENOSPC
33028No space on device to write the data.
33029
33030@item EINTR
33031The call was interrupted by the user.
33032@end table
33033
33034@end table
33035
33036@node lseek
33037@unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
33038@cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
33039
33040@table @asis
33041@item Synopsis:
33042@smallexample
33043long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
33044@end smallexample
33045
33046@item Request:
33047@samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
33048
33049@var{flag} is one of:
33050
33051@table @code
33052@item SEEK_SET
33053The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
33054
33055@item SEEK_CUR
33056The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
33057bytes.
33058
33059@item SEEK_END
33060The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
33061bytes.
33062@end table
33063
33064@item Return value:
33065On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
33066the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
33067value of -1 is returned.
33068
33069@item Errors:
33070
33071@table @code
33072@item EBADF
33073@var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
33074
33075@item ESPIPE
33076@var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
33077
33078@item EINVAL
33079@var{flag} is not a proper value.
33080
33081@item EINTR
33082The call was interrupted by the user.
33083@end table
33084
33085@end table
33086
33087@node rename
33088@unnumberedsubsubsec rename
33089@cindex rename, file-i/o system call
33090
33091@table @asis
33092@item Synopsis:
33093@smallexample
33094int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
33095@end smallexample
33096
33097@item Request:
33098@samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
33099
33100@item Return value:
33101On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
33102
33103@item Errors:
33104
33105@table @code
33106@item EISDIR
33107@var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
33108directory.
33109
33110@item EEXIST
33111@var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
33112
33113@item EBUSY
33114@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
33115process.
33116
33117@item EINVAL
33118An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
33119of itself.
33120
33121@item ENOTDIR
33122A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
33123path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
33124and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
33125
33126@item EFAULT
33127@var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
33128
33129@item EACCES
33130No access to the file or the path of the file.
33131
33132@item ENAMETOOLONG
33133
33134@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
33135
33136@item ENOENT
33137A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
33138
33139@item EROFS
33140The file is on a read-only filesystem.
33141
33142@item ENOSPC
33143The device containing the file has no room for the new
33144directory entry.
33145
33146@item EINTR
33147The call was interrupted by the user.
33148@end table
33149
33150@end table
33151
33152@node unlink
33153@unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
33154@cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
33155
33156@table @asis
33157@item Synopsis:
33158@smallexample
33159int unlink(const char *pathname);
33160@end smallexample
33161
33162@item Request:
33163@samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
33164
33165@item Return value:
33166On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
33167
33168@item Errors:
33169
33170@table @code
33171@item EACCES
33172No access to the file or the path of the file.
33173
33174@item EPERM
33175The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
33176
33177@item EBUSY
33178The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
33179being used by another process.
33180
33181@item EFAULT
33182@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33183
33184@item ENAMETOOLONG
33185@var{pathname} was too long.
33186
33187@item ENOENT
33188A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
33189
33190@item ENOTDIR
33191A component of the path is not a directory.
33192
33193@item EROFS
33194The file is on a read-only filesystem.
33195
33196@item EINTR
33197The call was interrupted by the user.
33198@end table
33199
33200@end table
33201
33202@node stat/fstat
33203@unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
33204@cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
33205@cindex stat, file-i/o system call
33206
33207@table @asis
33208@item Synopsis:
33209@smallexample
33210int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
33211int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
33212@end smallexample
33213
33214@item Request:
33215@samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
33216@samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
33217
33218@item Return value:
33219On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
33220
33221@item Errors:
33222
33223@table @code
33224@item EBADF
33225@var{fd} is not a valid open file.
33226
33227@item ENOENT
33228A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
33229path is an empty string.
33230
33231@item ENOTDIR
33232A component of the path is not a directory.
33233
33234@item EFAULT
33235@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33236
33237@item EACCES
33238No access to the file or the path of the file.
33239
33240@item ENAMETOOLONG
33241@var{pathname} was too long.
33242
33243@item EINTR
33244The call was interrupted by the user.
33245@end table
33246
33247@end table
33248
33249@node gettimeofday
33250@unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
33251@cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
33252
33253@table @asis
33254@item Synopsis:
33255@smallexample
33256int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
33257@end smallexample
33258
33259@item Request:
33260@samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
33261
33262@item Return value:
33263On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
33264
33265@item Errors:
33266
33267@table @code
33268@item EINVAL
33269@var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
33270
33271@item EFAULT
33272@var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
33273@end table
33274
33275@end table
33276
33277@node isatty
33278@unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
33279@cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
33280
33281@table @asis
33282@item Synopsis:
33283@smallexample
33284int isatty(int fd);
33285@end smallexample
33286
33287@item Request:
33288@samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
33289
33290@item Return value:
33291Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
33292
33293@item Errors:
33294
33295@table @code
33296@item EINTR
33297The call was interrupted by the user.
33298@end table
33299
33300@end table
33301
33302Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
333031 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
33304to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
33305would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
33306needed.
33307
33308
33309@node system
33310@unnumberedsubsubsec system
33311@cindex system, file-i/o system call
33312
33313@table @asis
33314@item Synopsis:
33315@smallexample
33316int system(const char *command);
33317@end smallexample
33318
33319@item Request:
33320@samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
33321
33322@item Return value:
33323If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
33324available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
33325For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
33326return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
33327command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
33328return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
33329@file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
33330
33331@item Errors:
33332
33333@table @code
33334@item EINTR
33335The call was interrupted by the user.
33336@end table
33337
33338@end table
33339
33340@value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
33341to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
33342the host is simplified before it's returned
33343to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
33344is discarded, and the return value consists
33345entirely of the exit status of the called command.
33346
33347Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
33348by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
33349@code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
33350
33351@table @code
33352@item set remote system-call-allowed
33353@kindex set remote system-call-allowed
33354Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
33355protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
33356
33357@item show remote system-call-allowed
33358@kindex show remote system-call-allowed
33359Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
33360protocol.
33361@end table
33362
33363@node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
33364@subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
33365@cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
33366
33367@menu
33368* Integral Datatypes::
33369* Pointer Values::
33370* Memory Transfer::
33371* struct stat::
33372* struct timeval::
33373@end menu
33374
33375@node Integral Datatypes
33376@unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
33377@cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
33378
33379The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
33380@code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
33381@code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
33382
33383@code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
33384implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
33385
33386@code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
33387
33388@xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
33389in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
33390
33391@code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
33392
33393All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
33394structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
33395byte order.
33396
33397@node Pointer Values
33398@unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
33399@cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
33400
33401Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
33402is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
33403transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
33404are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
33405
33406@smallexample
33407@code{1aaf/12}
33408@end smallexample
33409
33410@noindent
33411which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
33412The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
33413the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
33414at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
33415
33416@smallexample
33417@code{123456/d}
33418@end smallexample
33419
33420@node Memory Transfer
33421@unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
33422@cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
33423
33424Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
33425example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
33426with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
33427this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
33428packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
33429it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
33430data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
33431
33432
33433@node struct stat
33434@unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
33435@cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
33436
33437The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
33438is defined as follows:
33439
33440@smallexample
33441struct stat @{
33442 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
33443 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
33444 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
33445 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
33446 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
33447 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
33448 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
33449 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
33450 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
33451 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
33452 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
33453 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
33454 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
33455@};
33456@end smallexample
33457
33458The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
33459appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
33460structure is of size 64 bytes.
33461
33462The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
33463range of values.
33464
33465@table @code
33466
33467@item st_dev
33468A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
33469
33470@item st_ino
33471No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
33472
33473@item st_mode
33474Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
33475bits have currently no meaning for the target.
33476
33477@item st_uid
33478@itemx st_gid
33479@itemx st_rdev
33480No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
33481
33482@item st_atime
33483@itemx st_mtime
33484@itemx st_ctime
33485These values have a host and file system dependent
33486accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
33487support exact timing values.
33488@end table
33489
33490The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
33491responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
33492continuing.
33493
33494Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
33495representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
33496get truncated on the target.
33497
33498@node struct timeval
33499@unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
33500@cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
33501
33502The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
33503is defined as follows:
33504
33505@smallexample
33506struct timeval @{
33507 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
33508 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
33509@};
33510@end smallexample
33511
33512The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
33513appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
33514structure is of size 8 bytes.
33515
33516@node Constants
33517@subsection Constants
33518@cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
33519
33520The following values are used for the constants inside of the
33521protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
33522values before and after the call as needed.
33523
33524@menu
33525* Open Flags::
33526* mode_t Values::
33527* Errno Values::
33528* Lseek Flags::
33529* Limits::
33530@end menu
33531
33532@node Open Flags
33533@unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
33534@cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
33535
33536All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
33537
33538@smallexample
33539 O_RDONLY 0x0
33540 O_WRONLY 0x1
33541 O_RDWR 0x2
33542 O_APPEND 0x8
33543 O_CREAT 0x200
33544 O_TRUNC 0x400
33545 O_EXCL 0x800
33546@end smallexample
33547
33548@node mode_t Values
33549@unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
33550@cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
33551
33552All values are given in octal representation.
33553
33554@smallexample
33555 S_IFREG 0100000
33556 S_IFDIR 040000
33557 S_IRUSR 0400
33558 S_IWUSR 0200
33559 S_IXUSR 0100
33560 S_IRGRP 040
33561 S_IWGRP 020
33562 S_IXGRP 010
33563 S_IROTH 04
33564 S_IWOTH 02
33565 S_IXOTH 01
33566@end smallexample
33567
33568@node Errno Values
33569@unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
33570@cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
33571
33572All values are given in decimal representation.
33573
33574@smallexample
33575 EPERM 1
33576 ENOENT 2
33577 EINTR 4
33578 EBADF 9
33579 EACCES 13
33580 EFAULT 14
33581 EBUSY 16
33582 EEXIST 17
33583 ENODEV 19
33584 ENOTDIR 20
33585 EISDIR 21
33586 EINVAL 22
33587 ENFILE 23
33588 EMFILE 24
33589 EFBIG 27
33590 ENOSPC 28
33591 ESPIPE 29
33592 EROFS 30
33593 ENAMETOOLONG 91
33594 EUNKNOWN 9999
33595@end smallexample
33596
33597 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
33598 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
33599
33600@node Lseek Flags
33601@unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
33602@cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
33603
33604@smallexample
33605 SEEK_SET 0
33606 SEEK_CUR 1
33607 SEEK_END 2
33608@end smallexample
33609
33610@node Limits
33611@unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
33612@cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
33613
33614All values are given in decimal representation.
33615
33616@smallexample
33617 INT_MIN -2147483648
33618 INT_MAX 2147483647
33619 UINT_MAX 4294967295
33620 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
33621 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
33622 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
33623@end smallexample
33624
33625@node File-I/O Examples
33626@subsection File-I/O Examples
33627@cindex file-i/o examples
33628
33629Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
33630address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
33631
33632@smallexample
33633<- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
33634@emph{request memory read from target}
33635-> @code{m1234,6}
33636<- XXXXXX
33637@emph{return "6 bytes written"}
33638-> @code{F6}
33639@end smallexample
33640
33641Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
33642address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
33643
33644@smallexample
33645<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33646@emph{request memory write to target}
33647-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
33648@emph{return "6 bytes read"}
33649-> @code{F6}
33650@end smallexample
33651
33652Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
33653file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
33654
33655@smallexample
33656<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33657-> @code{F-1,9}
33658@end smallexample
33659
33660Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
33661host is called:
33662
33663@smallexample
33664<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33665-> @code{F-1,4,C}
33666<- @code{T02}
33667@end smallexample
33668
33669Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
33670host is called:
33671
33672@smallexample
33673<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
33674-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
33675<- @code{T02}
33676@end smallexample
33677
33678@node Library List Format
33679@section Library List Format
33680@cindex library list format, remote protocol
33681
33682On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
33683same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
33684@value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
33685operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
33686platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
33687@value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
33688through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33689packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
33690queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
33691are loaded.
33692
33693The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
33694lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
33695associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
33696which report where the library was loaded in memory.
33697
33698For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
33699library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
33700dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
33701should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
33702section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
33703depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
33704
33705@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33706library lists. @xref{Expat}.
33707
33708A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
33709offset, looks like this:
33710
33711@smallexample
33712<library-list>
33713 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
33714 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
33715 </library>
33716</library-list>
33717@end smallexample
33718
33719Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
33720allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
33721
33722@smallexample
33723<library-list>
33724 <library name="sharedlib.o">
33725 <section address="0x10000000"/>
33726 <section address="0x20000000"/>
33727 <section address="0x30000000"/>
33728 </library>
33729</library-list>
33730@end smallexample
33731
33732The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
33733
33734@smallexample
33735<!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
33736<!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
33737<!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
33738<!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
33739<!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
33740<!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
33741<!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
33742<!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
33743<!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
33744@end smallexample
33745
33746In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
33747single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
33748section for each library.
33749
33750@node Memory Map Format
33751@section Memory Map Format
33752@cindex memory map format
33753
33754To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
33755memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
33756memory map.
33757
33758The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33759(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
33760lists memory regions.
33761
33762@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33763memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
33764
33765The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
33766
33767@smallexample
33768<?xml version="1.0"?>
33769<!DOCTYPE memory-map
33770 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
33771 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
33772<memory-map>
33773 region...
33774</memory-map>
33775@end smallexample
33776
33777Each region can be either:
33778
33779@itemize
33780
33781@item
33782A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
33783bytes from there:
33784
33785@smallexample
33786<memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
33787@end smallexample
33788
33789
33790@item
33791A region of read-only memory:
33792
33793@smallexample
33794<memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
33795@end smallexample
33796
33797
33798@item
33799A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
33800bytes in length:
33801
33802@smallexample
33803<memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
33804 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
33805</memory>
33806@end smallexample
33807
33808@end itemize
33809
33810Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
33811by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
33812packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
33813
33814The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
33815
33816@smallexample
33817<!-- ................................................... -->
33818<!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
33819<!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
33820<!-- .................................... .............. -->
33821<!-- memory-map.dtd -->
33822<!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
33823<!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
33824<!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
33825<!ELEMENT memory (property)>
33826<!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
33827 and its type, or device. -->
33828<!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
33829 start CDATA #REQUIRED
33830 length CDATA #REQUIRED
33831 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
33832<!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
33833<!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
33834<!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
33835@end smallexample
33836
33837@node Thread List Format
33838@section Thread List Format
33839@cindex thread list format
33840
33841To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
33842@value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33843(@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
33844the following structure:
33845
33846@smallexample
33847<?xml version="1.0"?>
33848<threads>
33849 <thread id="id" core="0">
33850 ... description ...
33851 </thread>
33852</threads>
33853@end smallexample
33854
33855Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
33856identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
33857@samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
33858the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
33859element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
33860
33861@include agentexpr.texi
33862
33863@node Trace File Format
33864@appendix Trace File Format
33865@cindex trace file format
33866
33867The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
33868section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
33869
33870The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
33871@code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
33872while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
33873in the future.
33874
33875The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
33876separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
33877variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
33878as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
33879ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
33880of this section.
33881
33882@c FIXME add some specific types of data
33883
33884The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
33885Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
33886four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
33887the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
33888character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
33889state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
33890hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
33891endianness.
33892
33893@c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
33894
33895@table @code
33896@item R @var{bytes}
33897Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
33898@code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
33899actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
33900hexadecimal encoding.
33901
33902@item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
33903Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
33904address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
33905@var{length} bytes.
33906
33907@item V @var{number} @var{value}
33908Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
33909@var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
33910
33911@end table
33912
33913Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
33914of blocks.
33915
33916@node Target Descriptions
33917@appendix Target Descriptions
33918@cindex target descriptions
33919
33920@strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
33921and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
33922The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
33923
33924One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
33925is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
33926architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
33927a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
33928and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
33929architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
33930vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
33931
33932@itemize @bullet
33933@item
33934With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
33935the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
33936@item
33937Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
33938audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
33939variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
33940@item
33941When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
33942at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
33943@command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
33944@end itemize
33945
33946To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
33947target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
33948actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
33949processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
33950descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
33951
33952@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
33953target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
33954
33955@menu
33956* Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
33957* Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
33958* Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
33959 descriptions.
33960* Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
33961@end menu
33962
33963@node Retrieving Descriptions
33964@section Retrieving Descriptions
33965
33966Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
33967specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
33968description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
33969protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
33970qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
33971@samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
33972XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
33973Format}.
33974
33975Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
33976If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
33977specify a file are:
33978
33979@table @code
33980@cindex set tdesc filename
33981@item set tdesc filename @var{path}
33982Read the target description from @var{path}.
33983
33984@cindex unset tdesc filename
33985@item unset tdesc filename
33986Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
33987will use the description supplied by the current target.
33988
33989@cindex show tdesc filename
33990@item show tdesc filename
33991Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
33992@end table
33993
33994
33995@node Target Description Format
33996@section Target Description Format
33997@cindex target descriptions, XML format
33998
33999A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
34000document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
34001the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
34002means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
34003check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
34004However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
34005their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
34006
34007Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
34008and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
34009sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
34010@value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
34011target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
34012
34013Here is a simple target description:
34014
34015@smallexample
34016<target version="1.0">
34017 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
34018</target>
34019@end smallexample
34020
34021@noindent
34022This minimal description only says that the target uses
34023the x86-64 architecture.
34024
34025A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
34026optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
34027are explained further below.
34028
34029@smallexample
34030<?xml version="1.0"?>
34031<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
34032<target version="1.0">
34033 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
34034 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
34035 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
34036 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
34037</target>
34038@end smallexample
34039
34040@noindent
34041The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
34042breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
34043declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
34044(@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
34045useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
34046@samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
34047including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
34048revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
34049the version mismatch.
34050
34051@subsection Inclusion
34052@cindex target descriptions, inclusion
34053@cindex XInclude
34054@ifnotinfo
34055@cindex <xi:include>
34056@end ifnotinfo
34057
34058It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
34059several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
34060share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
34061divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
34062the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
34063
34064@smallexample
34065<xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
34066@end smallexample
34067
34068@noindent
34069When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
34070the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
34071the contents of that document. If the current description was read
34072using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
34073@var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
34074current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
34075@var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
34076original description.
34077
34078@subsection Architecture
34079@cindex <architecture>
34080
34081An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
34082
34083@smallexample
34084 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
34085@end smallexample
34086
34087@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
34088@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
34089
34090@subsection OS ABI
34091@cindex @code{<osabi>}
34092
34093This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
34094Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
34095
34096An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
34097
34098@smallexample
34099 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
34100@end smallexample
34101
34102@var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
34103@w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
34104
34105@subsection Compatible Architecture
34106@cindex @code{<compatible>}
34107
34108This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
34109Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
34110
34111A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
34112
34113@smallexample
34114 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
34115@end smallexample
34116
34117@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
34118@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
34119
34120A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
34121is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
34122given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
34123Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
34124or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
34125in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
34126capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
34127
34128@smallexample
34129 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
34130 <compatible>spu</compatible>
34131@end smallexample
34132
34133@subsection Features
34134@cindex <feature>
34135
34136Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
34137system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
34138registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
34139has this form:
34140
34141@smallexample
34142<feature name="@var{name}">
34143 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
34144 @var{reg}@dots{}
34145</feature>
34146@end smallexample
34147
34148@noindent
34149Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
34150of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
34151knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
34152should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
34153
34154@subsection Types
34155
34156Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
34157interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
34158but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
34159Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
34160Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
34161
34162Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
34163a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
34164Types must be defined before they are used.
34165
34166@cindex <vector>
34167Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
34168of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
34169specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
34170@var{count}:
34171
34172@smallexample
34173<vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
34174@end smallexample
34175
34176@cindex <union>
34177If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
34178with a union type containing the useful representations. The
34179@samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
34180each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
34181
34182@smallexample
34183<union id="@var{id}">
34184 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
34185 @dots{}
34186</union>
34187@end smallexample
34188
34189@cindex <struct>
34190If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
34191it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
34192element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
34193or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
34194its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
34195explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
34196integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
34197equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
34198
34199@smallexample
34200<struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
34201 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
34202 @dots{}
34203</struct>
34204@end smallexample
34205
34206If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
34207explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
34208
34209@smallexample
34210<struct id="@var{id}">
34211 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
34212 @dots{}
34213</struct>
34214@end smallexample
34215
34216@cindex <flags>
34217If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
34218a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
34219and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
34220@var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
34221are supported.
34222
34223@smallexample
34224<flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
34225 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
34226 @dots{}
34227</flags>
34228@end smallexample
34229
34230@subsection Registers
34231@cindex <reg>
34232
34233Each register is represented as an element with this form:
34234
34235@smallexample
34236<reg name="@var{name}"
34237 bitsize="@var{size}"
34238 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
34239 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
34240 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
34241 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
34242@end smallexample
34243
34244@noindent
34245The components are as follows:
34246
34247@table @var
34248
34249@item name
34250The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
34251
34252@item bitsize
34253The register's size, in bits.
34254
34255@item regnum
34256The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
34257than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
34258a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
34259defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
34260the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
34261packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
34262in order of increasing register number.
34263
34264@item save-restore
34265Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
34266calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
34267@code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
34268some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
34269ABI.
34270
34271@item type
34272The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
34273defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
34274and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
34275for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
34276architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
34277@var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
34278
34279@item group
34280The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
34281be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
34282@var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
34283in @code{info registers}.
34284
34285@end table
34286
34287@node Predefined Target Types
34288@section Predefined Target Types
34289@cindex target descriptions, predefined types
34290
34291Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
34292from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
34293standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
34294types. The currently supported types are:
34295
34296@table @code
34297
34298@item int8
34299@itemx int16
34300@itemx int32
34301@itemx int64
34302@itemx int128
34303Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
34304
34305@item uint8
34306@itemx uint16
34307@itemx uint32
34308@itemx uint64
34309@itemx uint128
34310Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
34311
34312@item code_ptr
34313@itemx data_ptr
34314Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
34315any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
34316pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
34317address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
34318may be marked as data pointers.
34319
34320@item ieee_single
34321Single precision IEEE floating point.
34322
34323@item ieee_double
34324Double precision IEEE floating point.
34325
34326@item arm_fpa_ext
34327The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
34328
34329@item i387_ext
34330The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
34331
34332@item i386_eflags
3433332bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
34334
34335@item i386_mxcsr
3433632bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
34337
34338@end table
34339
34340@node Standard Target Features
34341@section Standard Target Features
34342@cindex target descriptions, standard features
34343
34344A target description must contain either no registers or all the
34345target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
34346@value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
34347the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
34348default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
34349described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
34350can recognize them.
34351
34352This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
34353which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
34354with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
34355if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
34356feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
34357description. You can add additional registers to any of the
34358standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
34359they were added to an unrecognized feature.
34360
34361This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
34362Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
34363@value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
34364
34365Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
34366company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
34367architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
34368containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
34369
34370The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
34371of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
34372registers using the capitalization used in the description.
34373
34374@menu
34375* ARM Features::
34376* i386 Features::
34377* MIPS Features::
34378* M68K Features::
34379* PowerPC Features::
34380@end menu
34381
34382
34383@node ARM Features
34384@subsection ARM Features
34385@cindex target descriptions, ARM features
34386
34387The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
34388It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
34389@samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
34390
34391The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
34392should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
34393
34394The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
34395it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
34396@samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
34397@samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
34398
34399The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
34400should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
34401they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
34402@value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
34403halves of the double-precision registers.
34404
34405The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
34406need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
34407VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
34408quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
34409If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
34410be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
34411
34412@node i386 Features
34413@subsection i386 Features
34414@cindex target descriptions, i386 features
34415
34416The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
34417targets. It should describe the following registers:
34418
34419@itemize @minus
34420@item
34421@samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
34422@item
34423@samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
34424@item
34425@samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
34426@samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
34427@item
34428@samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
34429@item
34430@samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
34431@samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
34432@end itemize
34433
34434The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
34435
34436The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
34437describe registers:
34438
34439@itemize @minus
34440@item
34441@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
34442@item
34443@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
34444@item
34445@samp{mxcsr}
34446@end itemize
34447
34448The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
34449@samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
34450describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
34451
34452@itemize @minus
34453@item
34454@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
34455@item
34456@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
34457@item
34458@end itemize
34459
34460The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
34461describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
34462
34463@node MIPS Features
34464@subsection MIPS Features
34465@cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
34466
34467The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
34468It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
34469@samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
34470on the target.
34471
34472The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
34473contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
34474registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
34475
34476The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
34477it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
34478contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
34479@samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
34480
34481The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
34482contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
34483Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
34484
34485@node M68K Features
34486@subsection M68K Features
34487@cindex target descriptions, M68K features
34488
34489@table @code
34490@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
34491@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
34492@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
34493One of those features must be always present.
34494The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
34495used. The feature that is present should contain registers
34496@samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
34497@samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
34498
34499@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
34500This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
34501@samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
34502@samp{fpiaddr}.
34503@end table
34504
34505@node PowerPC Features
34506@subsection PowerPC Features
34507@cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
34508
34509The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
34510targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
34511@samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
34512@samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
34513
34514The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
34515contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
34516
34517The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
34518contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
34519and @samp{vrsave}.
34520
34521The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
34522contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
34523will combine these registers with the floating point registers
34524(@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
34525through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
34526through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
34527
34528The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
34529contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
34530@samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
34531@samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
34532@samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
34533these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
34534user.
34535
34536@node Operating System Information
34537@appendix Operating System Information
34538@cindex operating system information
34539
34540@menu
34541* Process list::
34542@end menu
34543
34544Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
34545the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
34546processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
34547mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
34548target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
34549on a different aspect of target.
34550
34551Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
34552remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
34553read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
34554the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
34555
34556@node Process list
34557@appendixsection Process list
34558@cindex operating system information, process list
34559
34560When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
34561@samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
34562an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
34563@file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
34564
34565An example document is:
34566
34567@smallexample
34568<?xml version="1.0"?>
34569<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
34570<osdata type="processes">
34571 <item>
34572 <column name="pid">1</column>
34573 <column name="user">root</column>
34574 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
34575 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
34576 </item>
34577</osdata>
34578@end smallexample
34579
34580Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
34581of that column should identify the process on the target. The
34582@samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
34583displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
34584should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
34585is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
34586which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
34587
34588@include gpl.texi
34589
34590@raisesections
34591@include fdl.texi
34592@lowersections
34593
34594@node Index
34595@unnumbered Index
34596
34597@printindex cp
34598
34599@tex
34600% I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
34601% meantime:
34602\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
34603\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
34604\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
34605\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
34606\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
34607\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
34608\centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
34609\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
34610\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
34611\page\colophon
34612% Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
34613@end tex
34614
34615@bye
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