* coffdump.c (coff_dump): Correct spelling error.
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
... / ...
CommitLineData
1\input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2@c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
3@c 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
4@c 2010, 2011 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 1.3 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@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167* Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168* Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169@end ifset
170@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171* Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172* Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173@end ifclear
174* Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
175* Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
176* Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
177* Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
178* Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
179* Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
180 @value{GDBN}
181* Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
182 the operating system
183* Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
184* Copying:: GNU General Public License says
185 how you can copy and share GDB
186* GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
187* Index:: Index
188@end menu
189
190@end ifnottex
191
192@contents
193
194@node Summary
195@unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
196
197The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
198going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
199program was doing at the moment it crashed.
200
201@value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
202these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
203
204@itemize @bullet
205@item
206Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
207
208@item
209Make your program stop on specified conditions.
210
211@item
212Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
213
214@item
215Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
216effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
217@end itemize
218
219You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
220For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
221For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
222
223Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
224@ref{D,,D}.
225
226@cindex Modula-2
227Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
228@ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
229
230Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
231@ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
232
233@cindex Pascal
234Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
235nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
236entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
237syntax.
238
239@cindex Fortran
240@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
241it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
242underscore.
243
244@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
245using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
246
247@menu
248* Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
249* Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
250@end menu
251
252@node Free Software
253@unnumberedsec Free Software
254
255@value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
256General Public License
257(GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
258program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
259freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
260the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
261Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
262Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
263
264Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
265you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
266from anyone else.
267
268@unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
269
270The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
271the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
272include with the free software. Many of our most important
273programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
274texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
275when an important free software package does not come with a free
276manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
277gaps today.
278
279Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
280normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
281authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
282copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
283them from the free software world.
284
285That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
286from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
287manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
288only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
289contract to make it non-free.
290
291Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
292price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
293charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
294Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
295problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
296are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
297modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
298
299The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
300free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
301commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
302accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
303
304Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
305When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
306are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
307provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
308manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
309a changed version of the program is not really available to our
310community.
311
312Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
313acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
314author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
315authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
316to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
317may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
318with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
319are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
320of the manual.
321
322However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
323content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
324media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
325obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
326manual to replace it.
327
328Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
329lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
330free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
331the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
332realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
333the free software community.
334
335If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
336the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
337license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
338don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
339will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
340option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
341what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
342try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
343is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
344
345You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
346manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
347copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
348improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
349at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
350and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
351Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
352have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
353
354The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
355published by other publishers, at
356@url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
357
358@node Contributors
359@unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
360
361Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
362other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
363development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
364of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
365to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
366file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
367blow-by-blow account.
368
369Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
370
371@quotation
372@emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
373or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
374omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
375@end quotation
376
377So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
378particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
379releases:
380Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
381Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
382Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
383Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
384Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
385Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
386John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
387Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
388and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
389
390Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
391Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
392
393Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
394in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
395Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
396demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
397much general update work leading to release 3.0).
398
399@value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
400object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
401Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
402
403David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
404the original support for encapsulated COFF.
405
406Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
407
408Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
409Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
410support.
411Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
412Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
413Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
414David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
415Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
416Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
417Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
418Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
419Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
420Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
421Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
422Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
423Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
424Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
425Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
426Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
427
428Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
429
430Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
431libraries.
432
433Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
434about several machine instruction sets.
435
436Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
437remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
438contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
439and RDI targets, respectively.
440
441Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
442command-line editing and command history.
443
444Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
445Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
446
447Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
448He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
449symbols.
450
451Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
452H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
453
454NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
455
456Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
457processors.
458
459Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
460
461Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
462
463Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
464
465Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
466watchpoints.
467
468Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
469
470Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
471
472Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
473nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
474
475The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
476support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
477(narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
478compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
479Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
480Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
481provided HP-specific information in this manual.
482
483DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
484Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
485
486Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
487development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
488fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
489Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
490Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
491Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
492Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
493addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
494JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
495Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
496Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
497Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
498Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
499Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
500Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
501
502Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
503Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
504
505Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
506Hat.
507
508Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
509people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
510Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
511Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
512Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
513with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
514
515Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
516unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
517frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
518Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
519libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
520trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
521complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
522Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
523Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
524Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
525Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
526Weigand.
527
528Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
529Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
530who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
531Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
532
533Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
534Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
535
536@node Sample Session
537@chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
538
539You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
540However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
541debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
542
543@iftex
544In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
545to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
546@end iftex
547
548@c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
549@c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
550
551One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
552processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
553quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
554definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
555session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
556then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
557same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
558@code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
559procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
560
561@smallexample
562$ @b{cd gnu/m4}
563$ @b{./m4}
564@b{define(foo,0000)}
565
566@b{foo}
5670000
568@b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
569
570@b{bar}
5710000
572@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
573
574@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
575@b{baz}
576@b{Ctrl-d}
577m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
578@end smallexample
579
580@noindent
581Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
582
583@smallexample
584$ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
585@c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
586@c FIXME... format to come out better.
587@value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
588 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
589 the conditions.
590There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
591 for details.
592
593@value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
594(@value{GDBP})
595@end smallexample
596
597@noindent
598@value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
599rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
600We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
601that examples fit in this manual.
602
603@smallexample
604(@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
605@end smallexample
606
607@noindent
608We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
609Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
610@code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
611@code{break} command.
612
613@smallexample
614(@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
615Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
616@end smallexample
617
618@noindent
619Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
620control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
621subroutine, the program runs as usual:
622
623@smallexample
624(@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
625Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
626@b{define(foo,0000)}
627
628@b{foo}
6290000
630@end smallexample
631
632@noindent
633To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
634suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
635context where it stops.
636
637@smallexample
638@b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
639
640Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
641 at builtin.c:879
642879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
643@end smallexample
644
645@noindent
646Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
647the next line of the current function.
648
649@smallexample
650(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
651882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
652 : nil,
653@end smallexample
654
655@noindent
656@code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
657by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
658@code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
659subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
660
661@smallexample
662(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
663set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
664 at input.c:530
665530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
666@end smallexample
667
668@noindent
669The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
670suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
671shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
672command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
673in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
674stack frame for each active subroutine.
675
676@smallexample
677(@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
678#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
679 at input.c:530
680#1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
681 at builtin.c:882
682#2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
683#3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
684 at macro.c:71
685#4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
686#5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
687@end smallexample
688
689@noindent
690We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
691times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
692falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
693
694@smallexample
695(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
6960x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
697(@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
6980x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
699def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
700(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
701536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
702 : xstrdup(rq);
703(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
704538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
705@end smallexample
706
707@noindent
708The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
709@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
710and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
711(@code{print}) to see their values.
712
713@smallexample
714(@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
715$1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
716(@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
717$2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
718@end smallexample
719
720@noindent
721@code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
722To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
723surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
724
725@smallexample
726(@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
727533 xfree(rquote);
728534
729535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
730 : xstrdup (lq);
731536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
732 : xstrdup (rq);
733537
734538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
735539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
736540 @}
737541
738542 void
739@end smallexample
740
741@noindent
742Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
743@code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
744
745@smallexample
746(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
747539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
748(@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
749540 @}
750(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
751$3 = 9
752(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
753$4 = 7
754@end smallexample
755
756@noindent
757That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
758@code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
759@code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
760the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
761any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
762assignments.
763
764@smallexample
765(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
766$5 = 7
767(@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
768$6 = 9
769@end smallexample
770
771@noindent
772Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
773@code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
774executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
775example that caused trouble initially:
776
777@smallexample
778(@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
779Continuing.
780
781@b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
782
783baz
7840000
785@end smallexample
786
787@noindent
788Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
789problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
790lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
791
792@smallexample
793@b{Ctrl-d}
794Program exited normally.
795@end smallexample
796
797@noindent
798The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
799indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
800session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
801
802@smallexample
803(@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
804@end smallexample
805
806@node Invocation
807@chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
808
809This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
810The essentials are:
811@itemize @bullet
812@item
813type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
814@item
815type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
816@end itemize
817
818@menu
819* Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
820* Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
821* Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
822* Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
823@end menu
824
825@node Invoking GDB
826@section Invoking @value{GDBN}
827
828Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
829@value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
830
831You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
832to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
833
834The command-line options described here are designed
835to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
836options may effectively be unavailable.
837
838The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
839specifying an executable program:
840
841@smallexample
842@value{GDBP} @var{program}
843@end smallexample
844
845@noindent
846You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
847specified:
848
849@smallexample
850@value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
851@end smallexample
852
853You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
854to debug a running process:
855
856@smallexample
857@value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
858@end smallexample
859
860@noindent
861would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
862named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
863
864Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
865complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
866debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
867``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
868will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
869
870You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
871executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
872option processing.
873@smallexample
874@value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
875@end smallexample
876This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
877@code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
878
879You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
880@value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
881
882@smallexample
883@value{GDBP} -silent
884@end smallexample
885
886@noindent
887You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
888options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
889
890@noindent
891Type
892
893@smallexample
894@value{GDBP} -help
895@end smallexample
896
897@noindent
898to display all available options and briefly describe their use
899(@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
900
901All options and command line arguments you give are processed
902in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
903@samp{-x} option is used.
904
905
906@menu
907* File Options:: Choosing files
908* Mode Options:: Choosing modes
909* Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
910@end menu
911
912@node File Options
913@subsection Choosing Files
914
915When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
916specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
917the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
918@samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
919first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
920equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
921second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
922equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
923If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
924first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
925to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
926a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
927prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
928
929If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
930such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
931argument and ignore it.
932
933Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
934following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
935them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
936(If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
937than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
938
939@c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
940@c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
941@c it.
942
943@table @code
944@item -symbols @var{file}
945@itemx -s @var{file}
946@cindex @code{--symbols}
947@cindex @code{-s}
948Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
949
950@item -exec @var{file}
951@itemx -e @var{file}
952@cindex @code{--exec}
953@cindex @code{-e}
954Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
955and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
956
957@item -se @var{file}
958@cindex @code{--se}
959Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
960file.
961
962@item -core @var{file}
963@itemx -c @var{file}
964@cindex @code{--core}
965@cindex @code{-c}
966Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
967
968@item -pid @var{number}
969@itemx -p @var{number}
970@cindex @code{--pid}
971@cindex @code{-p}
972Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
973
974@item -command @var{file}
975@itemx -x @var{file}
976@cindex @code{--command}
977@cindex @code{-x}
978Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
979evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
980@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
981
982@item -eval-command @var{command}
983@itemx -ex @var{command}
984@cindex @code{--eval-command}
985@cindex @code{-ex}
986Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
987
988This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
989also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
990
991@smallexample
992@value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
993 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
994@end smallexample
995
996@item -directory @var{directory}
997@itemx -d @var{directory}
998@cindex @code{--directory}
999@cindex @code{-d}
1000Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1001
1002@item -r
1003@itemx -readnow
1004@cindex @code{--readnow}
1005@cindex @code{-r}
1006Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1007the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1008This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1009
1010@end table
1011
1012@node Mode Options
1013@subsection Choosing Modes
1014
1015You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1016batch mode or quiet mode.
1017
1018@table @code
1019@item -nx
1020@itemx -n
1021@cindex @code{--nx}
1022@cindex @code{-n}
1023Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1024@value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1025options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1026Files}.
1027
1028@item -quiet
1029@itemx -silent
1030@itemx -q
1031@cindex @code{--quiet}
1032@cindex @code{--silent}
1033@cindex @code{-q}
1034``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1035messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1036
1037@item -batch
1038@cindex @code{--batch}
1039Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1040command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1041initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1042nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1043in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1044terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1045off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1046
1047Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1048example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1049make this more useful, the message
1050
1051@smallexample
1052Program exited normally.
1053@end smallexample
1054
1055@noindent
1056(which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1057@value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1058mode.
1059
1060@item -batch-silent
1061@cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1062Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1063@value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1064unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1065for an interactive session.
1066
1067This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1068messages, for example.
1069
1070Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1071writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1072
1073@item -return-child-result
1074@cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1075The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1076process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1077
1078@itemize @bullet
1079@item
1080@value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1081internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1082without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1083@item
1084The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1085@item
1086The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1087the exit code will be -1.
1088@end itemize
1089
1090This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1091when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1092interface.
1093
1094@item -nowindows
1095@itemx -nw
1096@cindex @code{--nowindows}
1097@cindex @code{-nw}
1098``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1099(GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1100interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1101
1102@item -windows
1103@itemx -w
1104@cindex @code{--windows}
1105@cindex @code{-w}
1106If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1107used if possible.
1108
1109@item -cd @var{directory}
1110@cindex @code{--cd}
1111Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1112instead of the current directory.
1113
1114@item -data-directory @var{directory}
1115@cindex @code{--data-directory}
1116Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1117The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1118auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1119
1120@item -fullname
1121@itemx -f
1122@cindex @code{--fullname}
1123@cindex @code{-f}
1124@sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1125subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1126number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1127displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1128recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1129the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1130and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1131@samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1132frame.
1133
1134@item -epoch
1135@cindex @code{--epoch}
1136The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1137@value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1138routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1139separate window.
1140
1141@item -annotate @var{level}
1142@cindex @code{--annotate}
1143This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1144effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1145(@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1146information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1147expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1148normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1149@sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1150that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1151
1152The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1153(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1154
1155@item --args
1156@cindex @code{--args}
1157Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1158executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1159This option stops option processing.
1160
1161@item -baud @var{bps}
1162@itemx -b @var{bps}
1163@cindex @code{--baud}
1164@cindex @code{-b}
1165Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1166interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1167
1168@item -l @var{timeout}
1169@cindex @code{-l}
1170Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1171for remote debugging.
1172
1173@item -tty @var{device}
1174@itemx -t @var{device}
1175@cindex @code{--tty}
1176@cindex @code{-t}
1177Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1178@c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1179
1180@c resolve the situation of these eventually
1181@item -tui
1182@cindex @code{--tui}
1183Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1184Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1185source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1186(@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1187Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1188@samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1189Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1190
1191@c @item -xdb
1192@c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1193@c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1194@c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1195@c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1196@c systems.
1197
1198@item -interpreter @var{interp}
1199@cindex @code{--interpreter}
1200Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1201program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1202communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1203@xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1204
1205@samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1206@value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1207The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1208previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1209selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1210@sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1211
1212@item -write
1213@cindex @code{--write}
1214Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1215is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1216(@pxref{Patching}).
1217
1218@item -statistics
1219@cindex @code{--statistics}
1220This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1221memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1222
1223@item -version
1224@cindex @code{--version}
1225This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1226no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1227
1228@end table
1229
1230@node Startup
1231@subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1232@cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1233
1234Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1235
1236@enumerate
1237@item
1238Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1239(@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1240
1241@item
1242@cindex init file
1243Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1244used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1245 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1246that file.
1247
1248@item
1249Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1250DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1251@code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1252that file.
1253
1254@item
1255Processes command line options and operands.
1256
1257@item
1258Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1259working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1260different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1261init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1262to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1263@value{GDBN}.
1264
1265@item
1266If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1267attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1268scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1269@xref{Auto-loading}.
1270
1271If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1272you must do something like the following:
1273
1274@smallexample
1275$ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" -ex "file myprogram"
1276@end smallexample
1277
1278The following does not work because the auto-loading is turned off too late:
1279
1280@smallexample
1281$ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1282@end smallexample
1283
1284@item
1285Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1286Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1287
1288@item
1289Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1290@xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1291files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1292@end enumerate
1293
1294Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1295Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1296file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1297complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1298and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1299option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1300
1301To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1302can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1303
1304@cindex init file name
1305@cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1306@cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1307The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1308The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1309the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1310ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1311@file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1312the file to the standard name.
1313
1314
1315@node Quitting GDB
1316@section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1317@cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1318@cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1319
1320@table @code
1321@kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1322@kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1323@item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1324@itemx q
1325To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1326@code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1327do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1328otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1329error code.
1330@end table
1331
1332@cindex interrupt
1333An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1334terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1335returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1336character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1337until a time when it is safe.
1338
1339If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1340device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1341(@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1342
1343@node Shell Commands
1344@section Shell Commands
1345
1346If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1347debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1348just use the @code{shell} command.
1349
1350@table @code
1351@kindex shell
1352@cindex shell escape
1353@item shell @var{command string}
1354Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1355If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1356shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1357(@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1358@end table
1359
1360The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1361You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1362@value{GDBN}:
1363
1364@table @code
1365@kindex make
1366@cindex calling make
1367@item make @var{make-args}
1368Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1369arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1370@end table
1371
1372@node Logging Output
1373@section Logging Output
1374@cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1375@cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1376
1377You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1378There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1379
1380@table @code
1381@kindex set logging
1382@item set logging on
1383Enable logging.
1384@item set logging off
1385Disable logging.
1386@cindex logging file name
1387@item set logging file @var{file}
1388Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1389@item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1390By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1391you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1392@item set logging redirect [on|off]
1393By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1394Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1395@kindex show logging
1396@item show logging
1397Show the current values of the logging settings.
1398@end table
1399
1400@node Commands
1401@chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1402
1403You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1404name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1405@value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1406key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1407show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1408
1409@menu
1410* Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1411* Completion:: Command completion
1412* Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1413@end menu
1414
1415@node Command Syntax
1416@section Command Syntax
1417
1418A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1419how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1420arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1421command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1422step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1423with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1424
1425@cindex abbreviation
1426@value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1427unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1428documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1429abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1430equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1431names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1432arguments to the @code{help} command.
1433
1434@cindex repeating commands
1435@kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1436A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1437repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1438will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1439repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1440repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1441@ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1442
1443The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1444@key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1445exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1446
1447@value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1448output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1449(@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1450@key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1451repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1452
1453@kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1454@cindex comment
1455Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1456nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1457Files,,Command Files}).
1458
1459@cindex repeating command sequences
1460@kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1461The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1462commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1463then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1464for editing.
1465
1466@node Completion
1467@section Command Completion
1468
1469@cindex completion
1470@cindex word completion
1471@value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1472only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1473are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1474commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1475
1476Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1477of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1478word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1479enter it). For example, if you type
1480
1481@c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1482@c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1483@c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1484@c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1485@smallexample
1486(@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1487@end smallexample
1488
1489@noindent
1490@value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1491the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1492
1493@smallexample
1494(@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1495@end smallexample
1496
1497@noindent
1498You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1499breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1500@samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1501were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1502might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1503to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1504
1505If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1506@key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1507characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1508@value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1509example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1510begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1511just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1512function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1513example:
1514
1515@smallexample
1516(@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1517@exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1518make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1519make_abs_section make_function_type
1520make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1521make_cleanup make_reference_type
1522make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1523(@value{GDBP}) b make_
1524@end smallexample
1525
1526@noindent
1527After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1528partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1529command.
1530
1531If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1532can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1533means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1534key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1535one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1536
1537@cindex quotes in commands
1538@cindex completion of quoted strings
1539Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1540parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1541its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1542situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1543@value{GDBN} commands.
1544
1545The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1546name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1547overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1548by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1549may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1550that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1551that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1552word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1553@code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1554@value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1555when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1556
1557@smallexample
1558(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1559bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1560(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1561@end smallexample
1562
1563In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1564quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1565completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1566place:
1567
1568@smallexample
1569(@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1570@exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1571(@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1572@end smallexample
1573
1574@noindent
1575In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1576you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1577completion on an overloaded symbol.
1578
1579For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1580Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1581overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1582see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1583
1584@cindex completion of structure field names
1585@cindex structure field name completion
1586@cindex completion of union field names
1587@cindex union field name completion
1588When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1589structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1590confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1591examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1592limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1593left-hand-side:
1594
1595@smallexample
1596(@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1597magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1598to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1599@end smallexample
1600
1601@noindent
1602This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1603@code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1604follows:
1605
1606@smallexample
1607struct ui_file
1608@{
1609 int *magic;
1610 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1611 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1612 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1613 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1614 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1615 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1616 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1617 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1618 void *to_data;
1619@}
1620@end smallexample
1621
1622
1623@node Help
1624@section Getting Help
1625@cindex online documentation
1626@kindex help
1627
1628You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1629using the command @code{help}.
1630
1631@table @code
1632@kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1633@item help
1634@itemx h
1635You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1636display a short list of named classes of commands:
1637
1638@smallexample
1639(@value{GDBP}) help
1640List of classes of commands:
1641
1642aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1643breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1644data -- Examining data
1645files -- Specifying and examining files
1646internals -- Maintenance commands
1647obscure -- Obscure features
1648running -- Running the program
1649stack -- Examining the stack
1650status -- Status inquiries
1651support -- Support facilities
1652tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1653 stopping the program
1654user-defined -- User-defined commands
1655
1656Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1657commands in that class.
1658Type "help" followed by command name for full
1659documentation.
1660Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1661(@value{GDBP})
1662@end smallexample
1663@c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1664
1665@item help @var{class}
1666Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1667list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1668help display for the class @code{status}:
1669
1670@smallexample
1671(@value{GDBP}) help status
1672Status inquiries.
1673
1674List of commands:
1675
1676@c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1677@c to fit in smallbook page size.
1678info -- Generic command for showing things
1679 about the program being debugged
1680show -- Generic command for showing things
1681 about the debugger
1682
1683Type "help" followed by command name for full
1684documentation.
1685Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1686(@value{GDBP})
1687@end smallexample
1688
1689@item help @var{command}
1690With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1691short paragraph on how to use that command.
1692
1693@kindex apropos
1694@item apropos @var{args}
1695The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1696commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1697@var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1698
1699@smallexample
1700apropos reload
1701@end smallexample
1702
1703@noindent
1704results in:
1705
1706@smallexample
1707@c @group
1708set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1709 multiple times in one run
1710show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1711 multiple times in one run
1712@c @end group
1713@end smallexample
1714
1715@kindex complete
1716@item complete @var{args}
1717The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1718for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1719command you want completed. For example:
1720
1721@smallexample
1722complete i
1723@end smallexample
1724
1725@noindent results in:
1726
1727@smallexample
1728@group
1729if
1730ignore
1731info
1732inspect
1733@end group
1734@end smallexample
1735
1736@noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1737@end table
1738
1739In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1740and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1741of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1742manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1743under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1744all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1745
1746@c @group
1747@table @code
1748@kindex info
1749@kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1750@item info
1751This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1752program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1753with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1754registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1755You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1756@w{@code{help info}}.
1757
1758@kindex set
1759@item set
1760You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1761@code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1762@code{set prompt $}.
1763
1764@kindex show
1765@item show
1766In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1767@value{GDBN} itself.
1768You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1769related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1770system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1771which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1772
1773@kindex info set
1774To display all the settable parameters and their current
1775values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1776@code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1777@c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1778@c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1779@c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1780@end table
1781@c @end group
1782
1783Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1784exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1785
1786@table @code
1787@kindex show version
1788@cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1789@item show version
1790Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1791information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1792@value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1793version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1794commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1795system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1796variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1797The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1798@value{GDBN}.
1799
1800@kindex show copying
1801@kindex info copying
1802@cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1803@item show copying
1804@itemx info copying
1805Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1806
1807@kindex show warranty
1808@kindex info warranty
1809@item show warranty
1810@itemx info warranty
1811Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1812if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1813
1814@end table
1815
1816@node Running
1817@chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1818
1819When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1820debugging information when you compile it.
1821
1822You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1823of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1824your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1825kill a child process.
1826
1827@menu
1828* Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1829* Starting:: Starting your program
1830* Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1831* Environment:: Your program's environment
1832
1833* Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1834* Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1835* Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1836* Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1837
1838* Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1839* Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1840* Forks:: Debugging forks
1841* Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1842@end menu
1843
1844@node Compilation
1845@section Compiling for Debugging
1846
1847In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1848debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1849is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1850variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1851and addresses in the executable code.
1852
1853To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1854the compiler.
1855
1856Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1857optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1858compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1859together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1860executables containing debugging information.
1861
1862@value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1863without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1864recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1865program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1866in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1867
1868Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1869@w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1870format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1871
1872@value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1873expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1874about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1875the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1876Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1877provides macro information if you specify the options
1878@option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1879debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1880``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1881ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1882@option{-g} alone.
1883
1884@need 2000
1885@node Starting
1886@section Starting your Program
1887@cindex starting
1888@cindex running
1889
1890@table @code
1891@kindex run
1892@kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1893@item run
1894@itemx r
1895Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1896You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1897argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1898@value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1899(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1900
1901@end table
1902
1903If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1904supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1905that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1906@code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1907like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1908message like this one:
1909
1910@smallexample
1911The "remote" target does not support "run".
1912Try "help target" or "continue".
1913@end smallexample
1914
1915@noindent
1916then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1917first (@pxref{load}).
1918
1919The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1920receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1921information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1922can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1923your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1924divided into four categories:
1925
1926@table @asis
1927@item The @emph{arguments.}
1928Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1929@code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1930is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1931(such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1932the arguments.
1933In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1934@code{SHELL} environment variable.
1935@xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1936
1937@item The @emph{environment.}
1938Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1939use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1940environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1941your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1942
1943@item The @emph{working directory.}
1944Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1945the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1946@xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1947
1948@item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1949Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1950standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1951in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1952set a different device for your program.
1953@xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1954
1955@cindex pipes
1956@emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1957pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1958program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1959wrong program.
1960@end table
1961
1962When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1963immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1964of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1965stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1966or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1967
1968If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1969time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1970table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1971your current breakpoints.
1972
1973@table @code
1974@kindex start
1975@item start
1976@cindex run to main procedure
1977The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1978With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1979other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1980main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1981execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1982procedure, depending on the language used.
1983
1984The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1985breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1986the @samp{run} command.
1987
1988@cindex elaboration phase
1989Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1990executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1991languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1992constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1993@code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1994before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1995will remain to halt execution.
1996
1997Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1998@samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1999underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2000reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2001@samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2002
2003It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2004these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2005your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2006elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2007elaboration code before running your program.
2008
2009@kindex set exec-wrapper
2010@item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2011@itemx show exec-wrapper
2012@itemx unset exec-wrapper
2013When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2014launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2015with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2016@var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2017arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2018appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2019your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2020
2021You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2022its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2023this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2024with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2025
2026For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2027the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2028environment:
2029
2030@smallexample
2031(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2032(@value{GDBP}) run
2033@end smallexample
2034
2035This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2036@sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2037
2038@kindex set disable-randomization
2039@item set disable-randomization
2040@itemx set disable-randomization on
2041This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2042randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2043is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2044reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2045
2046This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2047behavior using
2048
2049@smallexample
2050(@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2051@end smallexample
2052
2053@item set disable-randomization off
2054Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2055ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2056disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2057@value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2058as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2059disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2060
2061The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2062It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2063cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2064code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2065a code at its expected addresses.
2066
2067Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2068makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2069having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2070library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2071misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2072random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2073startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2074a randomly chosen address.
2075
2076Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2077similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2078a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2079already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2080executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2081
2082Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2083(as long as the randomization is enabled).
2084
2085@item show disable-randomization
2086Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2087the virtual address space of the started program.
2088
2089@end table
2090
2091@node Arguments
2092@section Your Program's Arguments
2093
2094@cindex arguments (to your program)
2095The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2096@code{run} command.
2097They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2098performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2099@code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2100@value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2101the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2102
2103On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2104@value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2105calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2106the program, not by the shell.
2107
2108@code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2109@code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2110
2111@table @code
2112@kindex set args
2113@item set args
2114Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2115@code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2116with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2117using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2118it again without arguments.
2119
2120@kindex show args
2121@item show args
2122Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2123@end table
2124
2125@node Environment
2126@section Your Program's Environment
2127
2128@cindex environment (of your program)
2129The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2130their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2131your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2132path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2133the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2134debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2135environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2136
2137@table @code
2138@kindex path
2139@item path @var{directory}
2140Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2141(the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2142The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2143You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2144system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2145MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2146is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2147
2148You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2149working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2150use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2151@code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2152@var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2153@var{directory} to the search path.
2154@c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2155@c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2156
2157@kindex show paths
2158@item show paths
2159Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2160environment variable).
2161
2162@kindex show environment
2163@item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2164Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2165your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2166print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2167your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2168
2169@kindex set environment
2170@item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2171Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2172changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2173be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2174any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2175parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2176null value.
2177@c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2178@c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2179
2180For example, this command:
2181
2182@smallexample
2183set env USER = foo
2184@end smallexample
2185
2186@noindent
2187tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2188@samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2189are not actually required.)
2190
2191@kindex unset environment
2192@item unset environment @var{varname}
2193Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2194program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2195@code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2196rather than assigning it an empty value.
2197@end table
2198
2199@emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2200the shell indicated
2201by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2202@code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2203that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2204@file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2205your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2206files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2207@file{.profile}.
2208
2209@node Working Directory
2210@section Your Program's Working Directory
2211
2212@cindex working directory (of your program)
2213Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2214working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2215The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2216from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2217working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2218
2219The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2220that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2221Specify Files}.
2222
2223@table @code
2224@kindex cd
2225@cindex change working directory
2226@item cd @var{directory}
2227Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2228
2229@kindex pwd
2230@item pwd
2231Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2232@end table
2233
2234It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2235the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2236during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2237configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2238proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2239current working directory of the debuggee.
2240
2241@node Input/Output
2242@section Your Program's Input and Output
2243
2244@cindex redirection
2245@cindex i/o
2246@cindex terminal
2247By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2248the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2249to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2250modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2251running your program.
2252
2253@table @code
2254@kindex info terminal
2255@item info terminal
2256Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2257program is using.
2258@end table
2259
2260You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2261redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2262
2263@smallexample
2264run > outfile
2265@end smallexample
2266
2267@noindent
2268starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2269
2270@kindex tty
2271@cindex controlling terminal
2272Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2273with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2274argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2275commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2276process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2277
2278@smallexample
2279tty /dev/ttyb
2280@end smallexample
2281
2282@noindent
2283directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2284default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2285that as their controlling terminal.
2286
2287An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2288effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2289terminal.
2290
2291When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2292command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2293for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2294for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2295
2296@cindex inferior tty
2297@cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2298You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2299display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2300program.
2301
2302@table @code
2303@item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2304@kindex set inferior-tty
2305Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2306
2307@item show inferior-tty
2308@kindex show inferior-tty
2309Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2310@end table
2311
2312@node Attach
2313@section Debugging an Already-running Process
2314@kindex attach
2315@cindex attach
2316
2317@table @code
2318@item attach @var{process-id}
2319This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2320outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2321targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2322find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2323or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2324
2325@code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2326executing the command.
2327@end table
2328
2329To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2330which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2331programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2332also have permission to send the process a signal.
2333
2334When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2335the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2336the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2337(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2338the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2339Specify Files}.
2340
2341The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2342process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2343with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2344you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2345can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2346process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2347attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2348
2349@table @code
2350@kindex detach
2351@item detach
2352When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2353@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2354the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2355that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2356are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2357@code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2358executing the command.
2359@end table
2360
2361If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2362that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2363By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2364things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2365@code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2366Messages}).
2367
2368@node Kill Process
2369@section Killing the Child Process
2370
2371@table @code
2372@kindex kill
2373@item kill
2374Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2375@end table
2376
2377This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2378running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2379is running.
2380
2381On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2382while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2383@code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2384outside the debugger.
2385
2386The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2387relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2388executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2389next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2390reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2391breakpoint settings).
2392
2393@node Inferiors and Programs
2394@section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2395
2396@value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2397session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2398several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2399before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2400multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2401from multiple executables.
2402
2403@cindex inferior
2404@value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2405object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2406a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2407have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2408may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2409identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2410inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2411embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2412of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2413threads running in it.
2414
2415To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2416inferiors}}:
2417
2418@table @code
2419@kindex info inferiors
2420@item info inferiors
2421Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2422
2423@value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2424
2425@enumerate
2426@item
2427the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2428
2429@item
2430the target system's inferior identifier
2431
2432@item
2433the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2434
2435@end enumerate
2436
2437@noindent
2438An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2439indicates the current inferior.
2440
2441For example,
2442@end table
2443@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2444
2445@smallexample
2446(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2447 Num Description Executable
2448 2 process 2307 hello
2449* 1 process 3401 goodbye
2450@end smallexample
2451
2452To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2453
2454@table @code
2455@kindex inferior @var{infno}
2456@item inferior @var{infno}
2457Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2458@var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2459in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2460@end table
2461
2462
2463You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2464@code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2465systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2466automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2467remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2468@w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2469
2470@table @code
2471@kindex add-inferior
2472@item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2473Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2474executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2475the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2476change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2477@code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2478
2479@kindex clone-inferior
2480@item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2481Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2482@var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2483number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2484want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2485
2486@smallexample
2487(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2488 Num Description Executable
2489* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2490(@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2491Added inferior 2.
24921 inferiors added.
2493(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2494 Num Description Executable
2495 2 <null> helloworld
2496* 1 process 29964 helloworld
2497@end smallexample
2498
2499You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2500
2501@kindex remove-inferiors
2502@item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2503Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2504possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2505those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2506
2507@end table
2508
2509To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2510inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2511inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2512using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2513
2514@table @code
2515@kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2516@item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2517Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2518inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2519still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2520but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2521
2522@kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2523@item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2524Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2525number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2526stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2527Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2528@end table
2529
2530After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2531@code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2532a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2533@code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2534
2535
2536To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2537control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2538
2539@table @code
2540@kindex set print inferior-events
2541@cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2542@item set print inferior-events
2543@itemx set print inferior-events on
2544@itemx set print inferior-events off
2545The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2546disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2547inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2548detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2549
2550@kindex show print inferior-events
2551@item show print inferior-events
2552Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2553inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2554@end table
2555
2556Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2557single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2558value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2559
2560
2561Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2562get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2563spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2564info program-spaces}} command.
2565
2566@table @code
2567@kindex maint info program-spaces
2568@item maint info program-spaces
2569Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2570@value{GDBN}.
2571
2572@value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2573
2574@enumerate
2575@item
2576the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2577
2578@item
2579the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2580the @code{file} command.
2581
2582@end enumerate
2583
2584@noindent
2585An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2586indicates the current program space.
2587
2588In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2589information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2590example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2591
2592@smallexample
2593(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2594 Id Executable
2595 2 goodbye
2596 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2597* 1 hello
2598@end smallexample
2599
2600Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2601while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2602some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2603same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2604the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2605
2606@smallexample
2607(@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2608 Id Executable
2609* 1 vfork-test
2610 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2611@end smallexample
2612
2613Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2614space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2615@end table
2616
2617@node Threads
2618@section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2619
2620@cindex threads of execution
2621@cindex multiple threads
2622@cindex switching threads
2623In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2624may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2625of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2626the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2627that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2628modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2629registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2630
2631@value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2632programs:
2633
2634@itemize @bullet
2635@item automatic notification of new threads
2636@item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2637@item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2638@item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2639a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2640@item thread-specific breakpoints
2641@item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2642messages on thread start and exit.
2643@item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2644the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2645isn't compatible with the program.
2646@end itemize
2647
2648@quotation
2649@emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2650@value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2651If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2652effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2653from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2654like this:
2655
2656@smallexample
2657(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2658(@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2659Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2660see the IDs of currently known threads.
2661@end smallexample
2662@c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2663@c doesn't support threads"?
2664@end quotation
2665
2666@cindex focus of debugging
2667@cindex current thread
2668The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2669threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2670control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2671This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2672program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2673
2674@cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2675@cindex thread identifier (system)
2676@c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2677@c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2678@c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2679Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2680the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2681form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2682whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2683@sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2684
2685@smallexample
2686[New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2687@end smallexample
2688
2689@noindent
2690when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2691the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2692further qualifier.
2693
2694@c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2695@c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2696@c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2697@c program?
2698@c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2699@c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2700@c threads ab initio?
2701
2702@cindex thread number
2703@cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2704For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2705number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2706
2707@table @code
2708@kindex info threads
2709@item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2710Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2711argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2712means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2713@value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2714
2715@enumerate
2716@item
2717the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2718
2719@item
2720the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2721
2722@item
2723the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2724the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2725program itself.
2726
2727@item
2728the current stack frame summary for that thread
2729@end enumerate
2730
2731@noindent
2732An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2733indicates the current thread.
2734
2735For example,
2736@end table
2737@c end table here to get a little more width for example
2738
2739@smallexample
2740(@value{GDBP}) info threads
2741 Id Target Id Frame
2742 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2743 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2744* 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2745 at threadtest.c:68
2746@end smallexample
2747
2748On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2749Solaris-specific command:
2750
2751@table @code
2752@item maint info sol-threads
2753@kindex maint info sol-threads
2754@cindex thread info (Solaris)
2755Display info on Solaris user threads.
2756@end table
2757
2758@table @code
2759@kindex thread @var{threadno}
2760@item thread @var{threadno}
2761Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2762argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2763shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2764@value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2765you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2766
2767@smallexample
2768(@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2769[Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2770#0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
27718 printf ("hello\n");
2772@end smallexample
2773
2774@noindent
2775As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2776@samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2777threads.
2778
2779@vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2780The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2781of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2782conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2783@xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2784information on convenience variables.
2785
2786@kindex thread apply
2787@cindex apply command to several threads
2788@item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2789The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2790@var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2791threads that you want affected with the command argument
2792@var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2793shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2794could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2795command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2796
2797@kindex thread name
2798@cindex name a thread
2799@item thread name [@var{name}]
2800This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2801given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2802appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2803
2804On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2805determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2806systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2807system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2808@value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2809
2810@kindex thread find
2811@cindex search for a thread
2812@item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2813Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2814matches the supplied regular expression.
2815
2816As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2817this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2818@var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2819is the LWP id.
2820
2821@smallexample
2822(@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2823Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2824(@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2825 Id Target Id Frame
2826 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2827@end smallexample
2828
2829@kindex set print thread-events
2830@cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2831@item set print thread-events
2832@itemx set print thread-events on
2833@itemx set print thread-events off
2834The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2835disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2836started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2837be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2838Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2839
2840@kindex show print thread-events
2841@item show print thread-events
2842Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2843have started and exited.
2844@end table
2845
2846@xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2847more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2848programs with multiple threads.
2849
2850@xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2851watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2852
2853@table @code
2854@kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2855@cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2856@item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2857If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2858directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2859If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2860an empty list.
2861
2862On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2863@code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2864inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2865to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2866with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2867from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2868
2869For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2870@value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2871If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2872mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2873will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2874If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2875@value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2876
2877Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2878only on some platforms.
2879
2880@kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2881@item show libthread-db-search-path
2882Display current libthread_db search path.
2883
2884@kindex set debug libthread-db
2885@kindex show debug libthread-db
2886@cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2887@item set debug libthread-db
2888@itemx show debug libthread-db
2889Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2890Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2891@end table
2892
2893@node Forks
2894@section Debugging Forks
2895
2896@cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2897@cindex multiple processes
2898@cindex processes, multiple
2899On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2900programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2901function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2902parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2903set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2904will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2905will cause it to terminate.
2906
2907However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2908which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2909the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2910only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2911so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2912on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2913get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2914@value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2915the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2916the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2917
2918On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2919create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2920Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2921only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2922
2923By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2924the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2925
2926If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2927use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2928
2929@table @code
2930@kindex set follow-fork-mode
2931@item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2932Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2933@code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2934process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2935
2936@table @code
2937@item parent
2938The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2939unimpeded. This is the default.
2940
2941@item child
2942The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2943unimpeded.
2944
2945@end table
2946
2947@kindex show follow-fork-mode
2948@item show follow-fork-mode
2949Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2950@end table
2951
2952@cindex debugging multiple processes
2953On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2954command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2955
2956@table @code
2957@kindex set detach-on-fork
2958@item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2959Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2960retain debugger control over them both.
2961
2962@table @code
2963@item on
2964The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2965@code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2966independently. This is the default.
2967
2968@item off
2969Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2970One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2971@code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2972is held suspended.
2973
2974@end table
2975
2976@kindex show detach-on-fork
2977@item show detach-on-fork
2978Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2979@end table
2980
2981If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2982will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2983You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2984using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2985to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2986Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2987
2988To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2989from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
2990to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
2991command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2992and Programs}.
2993
2994If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2995@code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2996breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2997@code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2998the child process's @code{main}.
2999
3000On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3001cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3002
3003If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3004call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3005process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3006as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3007@value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3008You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3009command.
3010
3011@table @code
3012@kindex set follow-exec-mode
3013@item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3014
3015Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3016@code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3017
3018@code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3019
3020@table @code
3021@item new
3022@value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3023new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3024@code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3025original inferior.
3026
3027For example:
3028
3029@smallexample
3030(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3031(gdb) info inferior
3032 Id Description Executable
3033* 1 <null> prog1
3034(@value{GDBP}) run
3035process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3036Program exited normally.
3037(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3038 Id Description Executable
3039* 2 <null> prog2
3040 1 <null> prog1
3041@end smallexample
3042
3043@item same
3044@value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3045executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3046inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3047e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3048running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3049
3050For example:
3051
3052@smallexample
3053(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3054 Id Description Executable
3055* 1 <null> prog1
3056(@value{GDBP}) run
3057process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3058Program exited normally.
3059(@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3060 Id Description Executable
3061* 1 <null> prog2
3062@end smallexample
3063
3064@end table
3065@end table
3066
3067You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3068a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3069Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3070
3071@node Checkpoint/Restart
3072@section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3073
3074@cindex checkpoint
3075@cindex restart
3076@cindex bookmark
3077@cindex snapshot of a process
3078@cindex rewind program state
3079
3080On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3081@sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3082program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3083later.
3084
3085Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3086happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3087includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3088system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3089moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3090
3091Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3092getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3093a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3094the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3095from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3096start again from there.
3097
3098This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3099steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3100
3101To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3102
3103@table @code
3104@kindex checkpoint
3105@item checkpoint
3106Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3107The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3108is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3109
3110@kindex info checkpoints
3111@item info checkpoints
3112List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3113session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3114listed:
3115
3116@table @code
3117@item Checkpoint ID
3118@item Process ID
3119@item Code Address
3120@item Source line, or label
3121@end table
3122
3123@kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3124@item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3125Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3126@var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3127etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3128was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3129in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3130
3131Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3132are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3133only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3134the debugger.
3135
3136@kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3137@item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3138Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3139
3140@end table
3141
3142Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3143of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3144(OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3145a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3146so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3147opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3148previously read data can be read again.
3149
3150Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3151external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3152from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3153but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3154be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3155been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3156
3157However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3158program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3159again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3160different execution path this time.
3161
3162@cindex checkpoints and process id
3163Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3164different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3165id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3166and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3167If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3168potentially pose a problem.
3169
3170@subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3171
3172On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3173is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3174difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3175absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3176absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3177next.
3178
3179A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3180Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3181and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3182process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3183your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3184
3185@node Stopping
3186@chapter Stopping and Continuing
3187
3188The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3189program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3190trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3191
3192Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3193such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3194@value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3195change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3196continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3197ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3198explicitly request this information at any time.
3199
3200@table @code
3201@kindex info program
3202@item info program
3203Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3204running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3205@end table
3206
3207@menu
3208* Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3209* Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3210* Signals:: Signals
3211* Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3212@end menu
3213
3214@node Breakpoints
3215@section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3216
3217@cindex breakpoints
3218A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3219the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3220control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3221breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3222Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3223should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3224program.
3225
3226On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3227the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3228you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3229in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3230(for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3231call).
3232
3233@cindex watchpoints
3234@cindex data breakpoints
3235@cindex memory tracing
3236@cindex breakpoint on memory address
3237@cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3238A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3239when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3240of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3241combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3242@dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3243watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3244from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3245enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3246same commands.
3247
3248You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3249whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3250Automatic Display}.
3251
3252@cindex catchpoints
3253@cindex breakpoint on events
3254A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3255when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3256exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3257different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3258Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3259other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3260@code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3261
3262@cindex breakpoint numbers
3263@cindex numbers for breakpoints
3264@value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3265catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3266starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3267features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3268breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3269@dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3270enable it again.
3271
3272@cindex breakpoint ranges
3273@cindex ranges of breakpoints
3274Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3275operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3276@samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3277hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3278all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3279
3280@menu
3281* Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3282* Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3283* Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3284* Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3285* Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3286* Conditions:: Break conditions
3287* Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3288* Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3289* Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3290* Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3291@end menu
3292
3293@node Set Breaks
3294@subsection Setting Breakpoints
3295
3296@c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3297@c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3298@c
3299@c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3300
3301@kindex break
3302@kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3303@vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3304@cindex latest breakpoint
3305Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3306@code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3307number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3308Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3309convenience variables.
3310
3311@table @code
3312@item break @var{location}
3313Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3314function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3315(@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3316specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3317before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3318
3319When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3320C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3321@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3322that situation.
3323
3324It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3325only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3326or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3327
3328@item break
3329When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3330the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3331(@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3332innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3333returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3334@code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3335that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3336@code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3337the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3338inside loops.
3339
3340@value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3341least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3342would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3343breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3344existed when your program stopped.
3345
3346@item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3347Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3348@var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3349value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3350@samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3351above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3352,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3353
3354@kindex tbreak
3355@item tbreak @var{args}
3356Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3357same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3358way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3359program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3360
3361@kindex hbreak
3362@cindex hardware breakpoints
3363@item hbreak @var{args}
3364Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3365@code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3366breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3367have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3368debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3369changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3370provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3371will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3372address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3373breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3374example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3375@value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3376or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3377(@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3378@xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3379For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3380breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3381hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3382
3383@kindex thbreak
3384@item thbreak @var{args}
3385Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3386are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3387the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3388the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3389first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3390command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3391may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3392See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3393
3394@kindex rbreak
3395@cindex regular expression
3396@cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3397@cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3398@item rbreak @var{regex}
3399Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3400@var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3401matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3402breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3403the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3404them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3405
3406The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3407like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3408shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3409an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3410@code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3411match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3412
3413@cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3414When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3415breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3416classes.
3417
3418@cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3419The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3420@strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3421
3422@smallexample
3423(@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3424@end smallexample
3425
3426@item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3427If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3428the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3429specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3430every function in a given file:
3431
3432@smallexample
3433(@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3434@end smallexample
3435
3436The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3437optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3438
3439@kindex info breakpoints
3440@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3441@item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3442@itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3443Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3444not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3445about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3446For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3447
3448@table @emph
3449@item Breakpoint Numbers
3450@item Type
3451Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3452@item Disposition
3453Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3454@item Enabled or Disabled
3455Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3456that are not enabled.
3457@item Address
3458Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3459pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3460contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3461library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3462See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3463have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3464@item What
3465Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3466line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3467the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3468the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3469@end table
3470
3471@noindent
3472If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3473the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3474are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3475specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3476library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3477valid location.
3478
3479@noindent
3480@code{info break} with a breakpoint
3481number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3482convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3483the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3484listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3485
3486@noindent
3487@code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3488has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3489@code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3490hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3491was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3492will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3493@end table
3494
3495@value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3496your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3497the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3498(@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3499
3500@cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3501@cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3502It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3503in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3504
3505@itemize @bullet
3506@item
3507For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3508instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3509
3510@item
3511For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3512correspond to any number of instantiations.
3513
3514@item
3515For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3516several places where that function is inlined.
3517@end itemize
3518
3519In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3520the relevant locations@footnote{
3521As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3522line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3523will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3524info with line numbers for them.}.
3525
3526A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3527table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3528each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3529address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3530addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3531locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3532@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3533
3534For example:
3535
3536@smallexample
3537Num Type Disp Enb Address What
35381 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3539 stop only if i==1
3540 breakpoint already hit 1 time
35411.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
35421.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3543@end smallexample
3544
3545Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3546@var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3547@code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3548delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3549entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3550the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3551the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3552the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3553that belong to that breakpoint.
3554
3555@cindex pending breakpoints
3556It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3557Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3558and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3559this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3560any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3561set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3562debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3563symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3564breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3565a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3566is not yet resolved.
3567
3568After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3569@value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3570shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3571pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3572ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3573that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3574
3575This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3576example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3577a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3578a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3579
3580Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3581differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3582enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3583
3584@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3585happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3586address specification to an address:
3587
3588@kindex set breakpoint pending
3589@kindex show breakpoint pending
3590@table @code
3591@item set breakpoint pending auto
3592This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3593location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3594
3595@item set breakpoint pending on
3596This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3597result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3598
3599@item set breakpoint pending off
3600This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3601unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3602not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3603
3604@item show breakpoint pending
3605Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3606@end table
3607
3608The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3609variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3610as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3611
3612@cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3613For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3614software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3615breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3616breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3617breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3618breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3619breakpoints.
3620
3621You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3622
3623@kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3624@kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3625@table @code
3626@item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3627This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3628will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3629breakpoint must be used.
3630
3631@item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3632This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3633type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3634trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3635@end table
3636
3637@value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3638at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3639executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3640code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3641the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3642behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3643target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3644targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3645This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3646
3647@kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3648@kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3649@table @code
3650@item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3651All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3652the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3653removed from the target when it stops.
3654
3655@item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3656Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3657the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3658breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3659removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3660
3661@cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3662@item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3663This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3664in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3665@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3666controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3667@code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3668@end table
3669
3670@cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3671@cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3672@value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3673special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3674programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3675starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3676You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3677@samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3678
3679
3680@node Set Watchpoints
3681@subsection Setting Watchpoints
3682
3683@cindex setting watchpoints
3684You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3685expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3686this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3687The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3688as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3689
3690@itemize @bullet
3691@item
3692A reference to the value of a single variable.
3693
3694@item
3695An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3696@samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3697address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3698
3699@item
3700An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3701expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3702language (@pxref{Languages}).
3703@end itemize
3704
3705You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3706not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3707@samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3708@value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3709the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3710valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3711pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3712@code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3713the expression changes.
3714
3715@cindex software watchpoints
3716@cindex hardware watchpoints
3717Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3718hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3719program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3720times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3721catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3722culprit.)
3723
3724On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3725x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3726watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3727
3728@table @code
3729@kindex watch
3730@item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3731Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3732expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3733changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3734to watch the value of a single variable:
3735
3736@smallexample
3737(@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3738@end smallexample
3739
3740If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3741clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3742@var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3743change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3744that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3745with Hardware Watchpoints.
3746
3747Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3748(see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3749instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3750@value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3751and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3752to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3753result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3754error.
3755
3756@kindex rwatch
3757@item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3758Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3759by the program.
3760
3761@kindex awatch
3762@item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3763Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3764or written into by the program.
3765
3766@kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3767@item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3768This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3769@code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3770@end table
3771
3772If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3773dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3774never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3775a never-changing value:
3776
3777@smallexample
3778(@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3779Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3780(@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3781Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3782@end smallexample
3783
3784@value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3785watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3786value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3787cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3788executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3789@emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3790
3791@cindex use only software watchpoints
3792You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3793@kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3794zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3795the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3796watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3797@code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3798mechanism of watching expression values.)
3799
3800@table @code
3801@item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3802@kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3803Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3804
3805@item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3806@kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3807Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3808@end table
3809
3810For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3811watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3812hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3813
3814When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3815
3816@smallexample
3817Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3818@end smallexample
3819
3820@noindent
3821if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3822
3823Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3824hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3825value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3826every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3827that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3828hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3829will print a message like this:
3830
3831@smallexample
3832Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3833@end smallexample
3834
3835Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3836data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3837watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3838can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3839cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3840double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3841wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3842into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3843
3844If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3845to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3846Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3847time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3848able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3849warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3850
3851@smallexample
3852Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3853@end smallexample
3854
3855@noindent
3856If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3857
3858Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3859exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3860That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3861expression with separately allocated resources.
3862
3863If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3864any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3865kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3866
3867@value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3868(automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3869they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3870which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3871being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3872and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3873rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3874way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3875@code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3876
3877@cindex watchpoints and threads
3878@cindex threads and watchpoints
3879In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3880watched expression from every thread.
3881
3882@quotation
3883@emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3884have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3885watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3886single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3887change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3888confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3889software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3890when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3891watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3892@end quotation
3893
3894@xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3895
3896@node Set Catchpoints
3897@subsection Setting Catchpoints
3898@cindex catchpoints, setting
3899@cindex exception handlers
3900@cindex event handling
3901
3902You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3903kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3904shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3905
3906@table @code
3907@kindex catch
3908@item catch @var{event}
3909Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3910@table @code
3911@item throw
3912@cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3913The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3914
3915@item catch
3916The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3917
3918@item exception
3919@cindex Ada exception catching
3920@cindex catch Ada exceptions
3921An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3922at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3923the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3924Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3925
3926When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3927name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3928fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3929@value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3930rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3931called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3932the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3933Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3934
3935@item exception unhandled
3936An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3937
3938@item assert
3939A failed Ada assertion.
3940
3941@item exec
3942@cindex break on fork/exec
3943A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3944and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3945
3946@item syscall
3947@itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3948@cindex break on a system call.
3949A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3950syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3951from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3952@value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3953debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3954argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3955will be caught.
3956
3957@var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3958underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3959GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3960names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3961
3962@c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3963@c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3964@c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3965@c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3966
3967Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3968each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3969facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3970available choices.
3971
3972You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3973number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3974identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3975name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3976into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3977may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3978list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3979behind the OS upgrades).
3980
3981The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3982arguments to it:
3983
3984@smallexample
3985(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3986Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3987(@value{GDBP}) r
3988Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3989
3990Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3991 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3992(@value{GDBP}) c
3993Continuing.
3994
3995Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3996 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3997(@value{GDBP})
3998@end smallexample
3999
4000Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4001
4002@smallexample
4003(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4004Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4005(@value{GDBP}) r
4006Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4007
4008Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4009 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4010(@value{GDBP}) c
4011Continuing.
4012
4013Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4014 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4015(@value{GDBP})
4016@end smallexample
4017
4018An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4019below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4020file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4021
4022@smallexample
4023(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4024Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4025(@value{GDBP}) r
4026Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4027
4028Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4029 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4030(@value{GDBP}) c
4031Continuing.
4032
4033Program exited normally.
4034(@value{GDBP})
4035@end smallexample
4036
4037However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4038in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4039a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4040but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4041
4042@smallexample
4043(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4044warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4045Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4046(@value{GDBP})
4047@end smallexample
4048
4049If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4050it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4051architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4052you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4053notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4054name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4055
4056@smallexample
4057(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4058warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4059warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4060GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4061Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4062(@value{GDBP})
4063@end smallexample
4064
4065Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4066
4067Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4068number. In this case, you would see something like:
4069
4070@smallexample
4071(@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4072Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4073@end smallexample
4074
4075Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4076
4077@item fork
4078A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4079and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4080
4081@item vfork
4082A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4083and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4084
4085@end table
4086
4087@item tcatch @var{event}
4088Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4089automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4090
4091@end table
4092
4093Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4094
4095There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4096(@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4097
4098@itemize @bullet
4099@item
4100If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4101control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4102raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4103returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4104simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4105that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4106you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4107disabled within interactive calls.
4108
4109@item
4110You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4111
4112@item
4113You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4114@end itemize
4115
4116@cindex raise exceptions
4117Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4118if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4119stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4120can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4121breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4122out where the exception was raised.
4123
4124To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4125knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4126raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4127which has the following ANSI C interface:
4128
4129@smallexample
4130 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4131 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4132 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4133@end smallexample
4134
4135@noindent
4136To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4137unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4138(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4139
4140With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4141that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4142a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4143breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4144raised.
4145
4146
4147@node Delete Breaks
4148@subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4149
4150@cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4151@cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4152It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4153catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4154to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4155breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4156
4157With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4158where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4159delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4160their breakpoint numbers.
4161
4162It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4163automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4164when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4165
4166@table @code
4167@kindex clear
4168@item clear
4169Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4170selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4171the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4172breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4173
4174@item clear @var{location}
4175Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4176@xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4177most useful ones are listed below:
4178
4179@table @code
4180@item clear @var{function}
4181@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4182Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4183
4184@item clear @var{linenum}
4185@itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4186Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4187@var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4188@end table
4189
4190@cindex delete breakpoints
4191@kindex delete
4192@kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4193@item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4194Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4195ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4196breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4197confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4198@end table
4199
4200@node Disabling
4201@subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4202
4203@cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4204Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4205prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4206it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4207that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4208
4209You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4210the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4211one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4212print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4213do not know which numbers to use.
4214
4215Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4216affects all of its locations.
4217
4218A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4219states of enablement:
4220
4221@itemize @bullet
4222@item
4223Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4224with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4225@item
4226Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4227@item
4228Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4229disabled.
4230@item
4231Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4232immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4233set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4234@end itemize
4235
4236You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4237watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4238
4239@table @code
4240@kindex disable
4241@kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4242@item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4243Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4244listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4245options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4246case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4247@code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4248
4249@kindex enable
4250@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4251Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4252become effective once again in stopping your program.
4253
4254@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4255Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4256of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4257
4258@item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4259Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4260deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4261Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4262@end table
4263
4264@c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4265@c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4266Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4267,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4268subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4269the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4270breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4271breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4272Stepping}.)
4273
4274@node Conditions
4275@subsection Break Conditions
4276@cindex conditional breakpoints
4277@cindex breakpoint conditions
4278
4279@c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4280@c in particular for a watchpoint?
4281The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4282specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4283breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4284programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4285a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4286and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4287
4288This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4289situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4290when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4291by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4292@samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4293
4294Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4295since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4296it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4297and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4298one.
4299
4300Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4301your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4302that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4303format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4304unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4305that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4306program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4307breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4308conditions for the
4309purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4310(@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4311
4312Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4313@samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4314Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4315with the @code{condition} command.
4316
4317You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4318The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4319@code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4320catchpoint.
4321
4322@table @code
4323@kindex condition
4324@item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4325Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4326watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4327breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4328@var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4329@code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4330syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4331referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4332symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4333prints an error message:
4334
4335@smallexample
4336No symbol "foo" in current context.
4337@end smallexample
4338
4339@noindent
4340@value{GDBN} does
4341not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4342command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4343@code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4344
4345@item condition @var{bnum}
4346Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4347an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4348@end table
4349
4350@cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4351A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4352breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4353useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4354count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4355is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4356therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4357ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4358the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4359value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4360your program reaches it.
4361
4362@table @code
4363@kindex ignore
4364@item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4365Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4366The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4367execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4368takes no action.
4369
4370To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4371a count of zero.
4372
4373When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4374breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4375@code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4376Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4377
4378If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4379condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4380@value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4381
4382You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4383as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4384is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4385Variables}.
4386@end table
4387
4388Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4389
4390
4391@node Break Commands
4392@subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4393
4394@cindex breakpoint commands
4395You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4396commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4397example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4398enable other breakpoints.
4399
4400@table @code
4401@kindex commands
4402@kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4403@item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4404@itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4405@itemx end
4406Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4407themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4408@code{end} to terminate the commands.
4409
4410To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4411follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4412
4413With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4414watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4415encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4416command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4417set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4418@code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4419creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4420Expressions}).
4421@end table
4422
4423Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4424disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4425
4426You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4427use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4428that resumes execution.
4429
4430Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4431execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4432(even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4433another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4434ambiguities about which list to execute.
4435
4436@kindex silent
4437If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4438usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4439be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4440then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4441see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4442meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4443
4444The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4445print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4446breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4447
4448For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4449value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4450
4451@smallexample
4452break foo if x>0
4453commands
4454silent
4455printf "x is %d\n",x
4456cont
4457end
4458@end smallexample
4459
4460One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4461you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4462of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4463erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4464to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4465so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4466command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4467
4468@smallexample
4469break 403
4470commands
4471silent
4472set x = y + 4
4473cont
4474end
4475@end smallexample
4476
4477@node Save Breakpoints
4478@subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4479
4480To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4481breakpoints}} command.
4482
4483@table @code
4484@kindex save breakpoints
4485@cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4486@item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4487This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4488their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4489suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4490types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4491tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4492@code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4493with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4494because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4495watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4496are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4497breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4498and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4499that can no longer be recreated.
4500@end table
4501
4502@c @ifclear BARETARGET
4503@node Error in Breakpoints
4504@subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4505
4506If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4507watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4508
4509@c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4510@c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4511@smallexample
4512Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4513You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4514@end smallexample
4515
4516@noindent
4517This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4518only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4519watchpoints it needs to insert.
4520
4521When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4522hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4523
4524@node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4525@subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4526@cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4527
4528Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4529which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4530@value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4531with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4532
4533One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4534a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4535bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4536constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4537bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4538honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4539first in the bundle.
4540
4541It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4542instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4543a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4544another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4545breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4546printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4547is hit.
4548
4549A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4550that's been subject to address adjustment:
4551
4552@smallexample
4553warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4554@end smallexample
4555
4556Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4557internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4558verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4559desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4560other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4561E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4562instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4563cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4564
4565@value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4566adjusted breakpoints:
4567
4568@smallexample
4569warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4570to 0x00010410.
4571@end smallexample
4572
4573When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4574action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4575frequently than expected.
4576
4577@node Continuing and Stepping
4578@section Continuing and Stepping
4579
4580@cindex stepping
4581@cindex continuing
4582@cindex resuming execution
4583@dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4584completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4585one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4586line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4587particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4588your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4589it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4590@samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4591
4592@table @code
4593@kindex continue
4594@kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4595@kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4596@item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4597@itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4598@itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4599Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4600any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4601@var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4602ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4603@code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4604
4605The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4606stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4607@code{continue} is ignored.
4608
4609The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4610debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4611purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4612@code{continue}.
4613@end table
4614
4615To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4616(@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4617calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4618Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4619
4620A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4621(@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4622beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4623is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4624and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4625interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4626
4627@table @code
4628@kindex step
4629@kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4630@item step
4631Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4632line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4633abbreviated @code{s}.
4634
4635@quotation
4636@c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4637@c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4638@c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4639@c distinction here.
4640@emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4641within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4642execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4643debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4644is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4645without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4646below.
4647@end quotation
4648
4649The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4650line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4651@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4652to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4653the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4654called within the line.
4655
4656Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4657number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4658@code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4659on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4660was any debugging information about the routine.
4661
4662@item step @var{count}
4663Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4664breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4665@var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4666
4667@kindex next
4668@kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4669@item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4670Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4671This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4672the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4673control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4674that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4675is abbreviated @code{n}.
4676
4677An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4678
4679
4680@c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4681@c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4682@c
4683@c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4684@c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4685@c function are executed without stopping.
4686
4687The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4688source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4689@code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4690
4691@kindex set step-mode
4692@item set step-mode
4693@cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4694@cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4695@itemx set step-mode on
4696The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4697stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4698information rather than stepping over it.
4699
4700This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4701machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4702want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4703
4704@item set step-mode off
4705Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4706debug information. This is the default.
4707
4708@item show step-mode
4709Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4710source line debug information.
4711
4712@kindex finish
4713@kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4714@item finish
4715Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4716returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4717abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4718
4719Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4720,Returning from a Function}).
4721
4722@kindex until
4723@kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4724@cindex run until specified location
4725@item until
4726@itemx u
4727Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4728current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4729stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4730command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4731automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4732than the address of the jump.
4733
4734This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4735though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4736exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4737simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4738through the next iteration.
4739
4740@code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4741stack frame.
4742
4743@code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4744of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4745example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4746(@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4747@code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4748
4749@smallexample
4750(@value{GDBP}) f
4751#0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4752206 expand_input();
4753(@value{GDBP}) until
4754195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4755@end smallexample
4756
4757This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4758generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4759start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4760written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4761to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4762expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4763statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4764
4765@code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4766instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4767argument.
4768
4769@item until @var{location}
4770@itemx u @var{location}
4771Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4772reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4773the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4774This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4775hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4776location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4777implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4778invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4779line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4780line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4781invocations have returned.
4782
4783@smallexample
478494 int factorial (int value)
478595 @{
478696 if (value > 1) @{
478797 value *= factorial (value - 1);
478898 @}
478999 return (value);
4790100 @}
4791@end smallexample
4792
4793
4794@kindex advance @var{location}
4795@itemx advance @var{location}
4796Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4797required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4798@ref{Specify Location}.
4799Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4800frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4801not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4802have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4803
4804
4805@kindex stepi
4806@kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4807@item stepi
4808@itemx stepi @var{arg}
4809@itemx si
4810Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4811
4812It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4813instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4814instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4815Display,, Automatic Display}.
4816
4817An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4818
4819@need 750
4820@kindex nexti
4821@kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4822@item nexti
4823@itemx nexti @var{arg}
4824@itemx ni
4825Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4826proceed until the function returns.
4827
4828An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4829@end table
4830
4831@node Signals
4832@section Signals
4833@cindex signals
4834
4835A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4836operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4837kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4838signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4839@code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4840memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4841the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4842requested an alarm).
4843
4844@cindex fatal signals
4845Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4846functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4847errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4848program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4849@code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4850fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4851
4852@value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4853program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4854signal.
4855
4856@cindex handling signals
4857Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4858@code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4859(so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4860but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4861You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4862
4863@table @code
4864@kindex info signals
4865@kindex info handle
4866@item info signals
4867@itemx info handle
4868Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4869handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4870the defined types of signals.
4871
4872@item info signals @var{sig}
4873Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4874
4875@code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4876
4877@kindex handle
4878@item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4879Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4880can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4881@samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4882@samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4883known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4884say what change to make.
4885@end table
4886
4887@c @group
4888The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4889Their full names are:
4890
4891@table @code
4892@item nostop
4893@value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4894still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4895
4896@item stop
4897@value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4898the @code{print} keyword as well.
4899
4900@item print
4901@value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4902
4903@item noprint
4904@value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4905implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4906
4907@item pass
4908@itemx noignore
4909@value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4910can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4911and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4912
4913@item nopass
4914@itemx ignore
4915@value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4916@code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4917@end table
4918@c @end group
4919
4920When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4921program until you
4922continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4923effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4924after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4925command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4926program sees that signal when you continue.
4927
4928The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4929non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4930@code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4931erroneous signals.
4932
4933You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4934seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4935or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4936due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4937values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4938execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4939a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4940you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4941Program a Signal}.
4942
4943@cindex extra signal information
4944@anchor{extra signal information}
4945
4946On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4947associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4948delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4949by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4950that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4951receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4952target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4953$_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4954standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4955system header.
4956
4957Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4958referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4959
4960@smallexample
4961@group
4962(@value{GDBP}) continue
4963Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
49640x0000000000400766 in main ()
496569 *(int *)p = 0;
4966(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4967type = struct @{
4968 int si_signo;
4969 int si_errno;
4970 int si_code;
4971 union @{
4972 int _pad[28];
4973 struct @{...@} _kill;
4974 struct @{...@} _timer;
4975 struct @{...@} _rt;
4976 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4977 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4978 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4979 @} _sifields;
4980@}
4981(@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4982type = struct @{
4983 void *si_addr;
4984@}
4985(@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4986$1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4987@end group
4988@end smallexample
4989
4990Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4991
4992@node Thread Stops
4993@section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4994
4995@cindex stopped threads
4996@cindex threads, stopped
4997
4998@cindex continuing threads
4999@cindex threads, continuing
5000
5001@value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5002(@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5003are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5004debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5005when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5006or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5007@value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5008@dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5009you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5010
5011@menu
5012* All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5013* Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5014* Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5015* Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5016* Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5017* Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5018@end menu
5019
5020@node All-Stop Mode
5021@subsection All-Stop Mode
5022
5023@cindex all-stop mode
5024
5025In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5026@emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5027allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5028switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5029underfoot.
5030
5031Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5032executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5033like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5034
5035In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5036Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5037system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5038execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5039single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5040statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5041stops.
5042
5043You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5044continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5045thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5046first thread completes whatever you requested.
5047
5048@cindex automatic thread selection
5049@cindex switching threads automatically
5050@cindex threads, automatic switching
5051Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5052signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5053signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5054message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5055thread.
5056
5057On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5058locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5059
5060@table @code
5061@item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5062@cindex scheduler locking mode
5063@cindex lock scheduler
5064Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5065locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5066current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5067mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5068from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5069the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5070Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5071when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5072function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5073like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5074thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5075the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5076
5077@item show scheduler-locking
5078Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5079@end table
5080
5081@cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5082By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5083@code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5084threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5085is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5086@code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5087inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5088forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5089it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5090situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5091of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5092to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5093you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5094inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5095
5096@table @code
5097@kindex set schedule-multiple
5098@item set schedule-multiple
5099Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5100when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5101all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5102of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5103@code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5104or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5105
5106@item show schedule-multiple
5107Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5108multiple processes.
5109@end table
5110
5111@node Non-Stop Mode
5112@subsection Non-Stop Mode
5113
5114@cindex non-stop mode
5115
5116@c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5117@c with more details.
5118
5119For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5120mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5121the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5122minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5123where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5124respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5125
5126In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5127@emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5128threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5129execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5130only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5131in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5132ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5133one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5134one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5135independently and simultaneously.
5136
5137To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5138or attach to your program:
5139
5140@smallexample
5141# Enable the async interface.
5142set target-async 1
5143
5144# If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5145set pagination off
5146
5147# Finally, turn it on!
5148set non-stop on
5149@end smallexample
5150
5151You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5152
5153@table @code
5154@kindex set non-stop
5155@item set non-stop on
5156Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5157@item set non-stop off
5158Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5159@kindex show non-stop
5160@item show non-stop
5161Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5162@end table
5163
5164Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5165not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5166In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5167@value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5168not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5169since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5170non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5171default.
5172
5173In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5174by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5175To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5176
5177You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5178(@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5179while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5180The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5181always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5182
5183Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5184running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5185In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5186but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5187To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5188
5189Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5190
5191In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5192that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5193thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5194command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5195changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5196previously current thread.
5197
5198@node Background Execution
5199@subsection Background Execution
5200
5201@cindex foreground execution
5202@cindex background execution
5203@cindex asynchronous execution
5204@cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5205
5206@value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5207foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5208(asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5209the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5210another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5211a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5212
5213You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5214background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5215manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5216
5217@table @code
5218@kindex set target-async
5219@item set target-async on
5220Enable asynchronous mode.
5221@item set target-async off
5222Disable asynchronous mode.
5223@kindex show target-async
5224@item show target-async
5225Show the current target-async setting.
5226@end table
5227
5228If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5229message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5230
5231To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5232the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5233just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5234are:
5235
5236@table @code
5237@kindex run&
5238@item run
5239@xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5240
5241@item attach
5242@kindex attach&
5243@xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5244
5245@item step
5246@kindex step&
5247@xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5248
5249@item stepi
5250@kindex stepi&
5251@xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5252
5253@item next
5254@kindex next&
5255@xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5256
5257@item nexti
5258@kindex nexti&
5259@xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5260
5261@item continue
5262@kindex continue&
5263@xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5264
5265@item finish
5266@kindex finish&
5267@xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5268
5269@item until
5270@kindex until&
5271@xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5272
5273@end table
5274
5275Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5276mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5277However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5278the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5279previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5280mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5281
5282You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5283using the @code{interrupt} command.
5284
5285@table @code
5286@kindex interrupt
5287@item interrupt
5288@itemx interrupt -a
5289
5290Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5291@code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5292only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5293use @code{interrupt -a}.
5294@end table
5295
5296@node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5297@subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5298
5299When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5300Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5301breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5302
5303@table @code
5304@cindex breakpoints and threads
5305@cindex thread breakpoints
5306@kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5307@item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5308@itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5309@var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5310writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5311specify some source line.
5312
5313Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5314to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5315particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5316numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5317column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5318
5319If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5320breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5321program.
5322
5323You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5324well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5325after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5326
5327@smallexample
5328(@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5329@end smallexample
5330
5331@end table
5332
5333@node Interrupted System Calls
5334@subsection Interrupted System Calls
5335
5336@cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5337@cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5338@cindex premature return from system calls
5339There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5340multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5341breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5342system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5343consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5344that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5345stop execution.
5346
5347To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5348each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5349style anyways.
5350
5351For example, do not write code like this:
5352
5353@smallexample
5354 sleep (10);
5355@end smallexample
5356
5357The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5358at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5359
5360Instead, write this:
5361
5362@smallexample
5363 int unslept = 10;
5364 while (unslept > 0)
5365 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5366@end smallexample
5367
5368A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5369conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5370multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5371@value{GDBN}.
5372
5373Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5374monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5375When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5376prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5377
5378@node Observer Mode
5379@subsection Observer Mode
5380
5381If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5382without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5383variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5384whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5385at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5386
5387When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5388be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5389@code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5390mode.
5391
5392Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5393combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5394@code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5395then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5396stream will still not be able to be placed.
5397
5398@table @code
5399
5400@kindex observer
5401@item set observer on
5402@itemx set observer off
5403When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5404below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5405non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5406normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5407
5408@item show observer
5409Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5410
5411@kindex may-write-registers
5412@item set may-write-registers on
5413@itemx set may-write-registers off
5414This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5415registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5416@code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5417
5418@item show may-write-registers
5419Show the current permission to write registers.
5420
5421@kindex may-write-memory
5422@item set may-write-memory on
5423@itemx set may-write-memory off
5424This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5425of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5426defaults to @code{on}.
5427
5428@item show may-write-memory
5429Show the current permission to write memory.
5430
5431@kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5432@item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5433@itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5434This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5435This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5436by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5437
5438@item show may-insert-breakpoints
5439Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5440
5441@kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5442@item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5443@itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5444This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5445tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5446non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5447@code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5448
5449@item show may-insert-tracepoints
5450Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5451
5452@kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5453@item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5454@itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5455This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5456tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5457fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5458control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5459
5460@item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5461Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5462
5463@kindex may-interrupt
5464@item set may-interrupt on
5465@itemx set may-interrupt off
5466This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5467program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5468@code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5469@kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5470
5471@item show may-interrupt
5472Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5473
5474@end table
5475
5476@node Reverse Execution
5477@chapter Running programs backward
5478@cindex reverse execution
5479@cindex running programs backward
5480
5481When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5482you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5483If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5484``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5485
5486A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5487to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5488program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5489revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5490deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5491all target environments can support reverse execution.
5492
5493When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5494have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5495order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5496thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5497the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5498instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5499a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5500should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5501prior values@footnote{
5502Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5503memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5504targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5505
5506The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5507requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5508@value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5509results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5510@value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5511assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5512consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5513}.
5514
5515If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5516reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5517
5518@table @code
5519@kindex reverse-continue
5520@kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5521@item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5522@itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5523Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5524in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5525exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5526asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5527
5528@kindex reverse-step
5529@kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5530@item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5531Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5532different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5533
5534Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5535at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5536executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5537debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5538the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5539statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5540
5541Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5542called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5543
5544@kindex reverse-stepi
5545@kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5546@item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5547Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5548to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5549counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5550if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5551back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5552
5553@kindex reverse-next
5554@kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5555@item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5556Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5557the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5558calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5559the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5560to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5561just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5562line of a function back to its return to its caller
5563@footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5564
5565@kindex reverse-nexti
5566@kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5567@item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5568Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5569in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5570That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5571another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5572in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5573frame) is reached.
5574
5575@kindex reverse-finish
5576@item reverse-finish
5577Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5578current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5579where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5580function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5581
5582@kindex set exec-direction
5583@item set exec-direction
5584Set the direction of target execution.
5585@itemx set exec-direction reverse
5586@cindex execute forward or backward in time
5587@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5588exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5589@code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5590command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5591@item set exec-direction forward
5592@value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5593This is the default.
5594@end table
5595
5596
5597@node Process Record and Replay
5598@chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5599@cindex process record and replay
5600@cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5601
5602On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5603and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5604replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5605
5606@cindex replay mode
5607When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5608for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5609mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5610instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5611code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5612really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5613program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5614changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5615execution log.
5616
5617@cindex record mode
5618If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5619@value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5620inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5621for future replay.
5622
5623The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5624(@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5625inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5626this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5627log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5628support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5629
5630When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5631replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5632previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5633platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5634
5635For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5636@value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5637
5638@table @code
5639@kindex target record
5640@kindex record
5641@kindex rec
5642@item target record
5643This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5644record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5645running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5646@kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5647the @kbd{target record} command.
5648
5649Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5650
5651@cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5652Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5653will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5654is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5655doesn't support displaced stepping.
5656
5657@cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5658@cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5659If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5660the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5661process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5662support these two modes.
5663
5664@kindex record stop
5665@kindex rec s
5666@item record stop
5667Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5668replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5669inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5670
5671When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5672the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5673next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5674you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5675will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5676
5677On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5678while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5679but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5680at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5681usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5682
5683When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5684process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5685
5686@kindex record save
5687@item record save @var{filename}
5688Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5689Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5690@var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5691
5692@kindex record restore
5693@item record restore @var{filename}
5694Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5695File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5696
5697@kindex set record insn-number-max
5698@item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5699Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5700
5701If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5702deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5703instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5704instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5705instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5706(Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5707lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5708the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5709
5710If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5711instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5712instructions is unlimited in this case.
5713
5714@kindex show record insn-number-max
5715@item show record insn-number-max
5716Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5717
5718@kindex set record stop-at-limit
5719@item set record stop-at-limit
5720Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5721the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5722is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5723inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5724you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5725cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5726
5727If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5728oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5729
5730@kindex show record stop-at-limit
5731@item show record stop-at-limit
5732Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5733
5734@kindex set record memory-query
5735@item set record memory-query
5736Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5737changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5738whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5739
5740If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5741ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5742@value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5743instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5744results.
5745
5746@kindex show record memory-query
5747@item show record memory-query
5748Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5749
5750@kindex info record
5751@item info record
5752Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5753in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5754
5755@itemize @bullet
5756@item
5757Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5758@item
5759Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5760@item
5761Highest recorded instruction number.
5762@item
5763Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5764@item
5765Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5766@item
5767Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5768@end itemize
5769
5770@kindex record delete
5771@kindex rec del
5772@item record delete
5773When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5774subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5775from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5776recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5777@end table
5778
5779
5780@node Stack
5781@chapter Examining the Stack
5782
5783When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5784stopped and how it got there.
5785
5786@cindex call stack
5787Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5788is generated.
5789That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5790the arguments of the call,
5791and the local variables of the function being called.
5792The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5793The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5794stack}.
5795
5796When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5797stack allow you to see all of this information.
5798
5799@cindex selected frame
5800One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5801@value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5802particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5803your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5804special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5805interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5806
5807When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5808currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5809@code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5810
5811@menu
5812* Frames:: Stack frames
5813* Backtrace:: Backtraces
5814* Selection:: Selecting a frame
5815* Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5816
5817@end menu
5818
5819@node Frames
5820@section Stack Frames
5821
5822@cindex frame, definition
5823@cindex stack frame
5824The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5825frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5826with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5827to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5828which the function is executing.
5829
5830@cindex initial frame
5831@cindex outermost frame
5832@cindex innermost frame
5833When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5834function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5835@dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5836made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5837is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5838the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5839actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5840recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5841
5842@cindex frame pointer
5843Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5844stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5845kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5846address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5847in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5848(@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5849
5850@cindex frame number
5851@value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5852zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5853and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5854they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5855frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5856
5857@c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5858@c underflow problems.
5859@cindex frameless execution
5860Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5861without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5862@smallexample
5863@samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5864@end smallexample
5865generates functions without a frame.)
5866This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5867the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5868with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5869has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5870it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5871correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5872no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5873
5874@table @code
5875@kindex frame@r{, command}
5876@cindex current stack frame
5877@item frame @var{args}
5878The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5879and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5880address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5881@code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5882
5883@kindex select-frame
5884@cindex selecting frame silently
5885@item select-frame
5886The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5887to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5888@code{frame}.
5889@end table
5890
5891@node Backtrace
5892@section Backtraces
5893
5894@cindex traceback
5895@cindex call stack traces
5896A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5897line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5898frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5899stack.
5900
5901@table @code
5902@kindex backtrace
5903@kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5904@item backtrace
5905@itemx bt
5906Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5907frames in the stack.
5908
5909You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5910character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5911
5912@item backtrace @var{n}
5913@itemx bt @var{n}
5914Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5915
5916@item backtrace -@var{n}
5917@itemx bt -@var{n}
5918Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5919
5920@item backtrace full
5921@itemx bt full
5922@itemx bt full @var{n}
5923@itemx bt full -@var{n}
5924Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5925number of frames to print, as described above.
5926@end table
5927
5928@kindex where
5929@kindex info stack
5930The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5931are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5932
5933@cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5934In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5935backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5936several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5937(@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5938apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5939the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5940multi-threaded program.
5941
5942Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5943The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5944print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5945line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5946counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5947line number.
5948
5949Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5950@samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5951
5952@smallexample
5953@group
5954#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5955 at builtin.c:993
5956#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5957#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5958 at macro.c:71
5959(More stack frames follow...)
5960@end group
5961@end smallexample
5962
5963@noindent
5964The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5965value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5966code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5967
5968@noindent
5969The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5970@code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5971only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5972@kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5973on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5974
5975@cindex optimized out, in backtrace
5976@cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5977If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5978optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5979never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5980passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5981in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5982arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5983such a backtrace might look like:
5984
5985@smallexample
5986@group
5987#0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5988 at builtin.c:993
5989#1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5990#2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5991 at macro.c:71
5992(More stack frames follow...)
5993@end group
5994@end smallexample
5995
5996@noindent
5997The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5998shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
5999
6000If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6001either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6002you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6003
6004@cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6005@cindex program entry point
6006@cindex startup code, and backtrace
6007Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6008libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6009@code{main}@footnote{
6010Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6011environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6012entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6013When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6014it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6015system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6016
6017If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6018in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6019
6020@table @code
6021@item set backtrace past-main
6022@itemx set backtrace past-main on
6023@kindex set backtrace
6024Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6025
6026@item set backtrace past-main off
6027Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6028default.
6029
6030@item show backtrace past-main
6031@kindex show backtrace
6032Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6033
6034@item set backtrace past-entry
6035@itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6036Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6037This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6038and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6039
6040@item set backtrace past-entry off
6041Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6042application. This is the default.
6043
6044@item show backtrace past-entry
6045Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6046
6047@item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6048@itemx set backtrace limit 0
6049@cindex backtrace limit
6050Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6051unlimited.
6052
6053@item show backtrace limit
6054Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6055@end table
6056
6057@node Selection
6058@section Selecting a Frame
6059
6060Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6061whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6062selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6063of the stack frame just selected.
6064
6065@table @code
6066@kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6067@kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6068@item frame @var{n}
6069@itemx f @var{n}
6070Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6071(currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6072innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6073@code{main}.
6074
6075@item frame @var{addr}
6076@itemx f @var{addr}
6077Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6078chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6079impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6080addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6081switches between them.
6082
6083On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6084select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6085
6086On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6087pointer and a program counter.
6088
6089On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6090pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6091
6092@kindex up
6093@item up @var{n}
6094Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6095advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6096that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6097
6098@kindex down
6099@kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6100@item down @var{n}
6101Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6102advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6103that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6104abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6105@end table
6106
6107All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6108frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6109arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6110frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6111
6112@need 1000
6113For example:
6114
6115@smallexample
6116@group
6117(@value{GDBP}) up
6118#1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6119 at env.c:10
612010 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6121@end group
6122@end smallexample
6123
6124After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6125prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6126You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6127editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6128@xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6129for details.
6130
6131@table @code
6132@kindex down-silently
6133@kindex up-silently
6134@item up-silently @var{n}
6135@itemx down-silently @var{n}
6136These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6137respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6138causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6139in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6140distracting.
6141@end table
6142
6143@node Frame Info
6144@section Information About a Frame
6145
6146There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6147stack frame.
6148
6149@table @code
6150@item frame
6151@itemx f
6152When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6153frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6154selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6155argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6156@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6157
6158@kindex info frame
6159@kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6160@item info frame
6161@itemx info f
6162This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6163including:
6164
6165@itemize @bullet
6166@item
6167the address of the frame
6168@item
6169the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6170@item
6171the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6172@item
6173the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6174@item
6175the address of the frame's arguments
6176@item
6177the address of the frame's local variables
6178@item
6179the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6180@item
6181which registers were saved in the frame
6182@end itemize
6183
6184@noindent The verbose description is useful when
6185something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6186the usual conventions.
6187
6188@item info frame @var{addr}
6189@itemx info f @var{addr}
6190Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6191selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6192command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6193architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6194@xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6195
6196@kindex info args
6197@item info args
6198Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6199
6200@item info locals
6201@kindex info locals
6202Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6203line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6204accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6205
6206@kindex info catch
6207@cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6208@cindex exception handlers, how to list
6209@item info catch
6210Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6211current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6212exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6213@code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6214@xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6215
6216@end table
6217
6218
6219@node Source
6220@chapter Examining Source Files
6221
6222@value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6223information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6224used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6225the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6226(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6227execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6228source files by explicit command.
6229
6230If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6231prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6232@value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6233
6234@menu
6235* List:: Printing source lines
6236* Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6237* Edit:: Editing source files
6238* Search:: Searching source files
6239* Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6240* Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6241@end menu
6242
6243@node List
6244@section Printing Source Lines
6245
6246@kindex list
6247@kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6248To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6249(abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6250There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6251print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6252
6253Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6254
6255@table @code
6256@item list @var{linenum}
6257Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6258current source file.
6259
6260@item list @var{function}
6261Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6262@var{function}.
6263
6264@item list
6265Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6266@code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6267printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6268as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6269Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6270
6271@item list -
6272Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6273@end table
6274
6275@cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6276By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6277the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6278
6279@table @code
6280@kindex set listsize
6281@item set listsize @var{count}
6282Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6283the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6284
6285@kindex show listsize
6286@item show listsize
6287Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6288@end table
6289
6290Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6291so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6292than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6293argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6294each repetition moves up in the source file.
6295
6296In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6297@dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6298of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6299to specify some source line.
6300
6301Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6302
6303@table @code
6304@item list @var{linespec}
6305Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6306
6307@item list @var{first},@var{last}
6308Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6309linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6310source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6311the same source file as the first linespec.
6312
6313@item list ,@var{last}
6314Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6315
6316@item list @var{first},
6317Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6318
6319@item list +
6320Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6321
6322@item list -
6323Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6324
6325@item list
6326As described in the preceding table.
6327@end table
6328
6329@node Specify Location
6330@section Specifying a Location
6331@cindex specifying location
6332@cindex linespec
6333
6334Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6335of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6336debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6337for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6338
6339Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6340@value{GDBN} understands:
6341
6342@table @code
6343@item @var{linenum}
6344Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6345
6346@item -@var{offset}
6347@itemx +@var{offset}
6348Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6349line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6350printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6351execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6352(@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6353used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6354this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6355linespec.
6356
6357@item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6358Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6359
6360@item @var{function}
6361Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6362For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6363
6364@item @var{function}:@var{label}
6365Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6366
6367@item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6368Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6369in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6370function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6371functions in different source files.
6372
6373@item @var{label}
6374Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6375@value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6376the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6377stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6378@value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6379
6380@item *@var{address}
6381Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6382commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6383line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6384breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6385parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6386source files.
6387
6388Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6389language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6390address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6391semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6392that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6393of @var{address}:
6394
6395@table @code
6396@item @var{expression}
6397Any expression valid in the current working language.
6398
6399@item @var{funcaddr}
6400An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6401C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6402simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6403of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6404@code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6405(although the Pascal form also works).
6406
6407This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6408before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6409
6410@item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6411Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6412file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6413specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6414functions with identical names in different source files.
6415@end table
6416
6417@end table
6418
6419
6420@node Edit
6421@section Editing Source Files
6422@cindex editing source files
6423
6424@kindex edit
6425@kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6426To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6427The editing program of your choice
6428is invoked with the current line set to
6429the active line in the program.
6430Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6431want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6432
6433@table @code
6434@item edit @var{location}
6435Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6436that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6437specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6438of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6439command most commonly used:
6440
6441@table @code
6442@item edit @var{number}
6443Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6444
6445@item edit @var{function}
6446Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6447@end table
6448
6449@end table
6450
6451@subsection Choosing your Editor
6452You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6453@footnote{
6454The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6455following command-line syntax:
6456@smallexample
6457ex +@var{number} file
6458@end smallexample
6459The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6460the file where to start editing.}.
6461By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6462by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6463@value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6464@code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6465@smallexample
6466EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6467export EDITOR
6468gdb @dots{}
6469@end smallexample
6470or in the @code{csh} shell,
6471@smallexample
6472setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6473gdb @dots{}
6474@end smallexample
6475
6476@node Search
6477@section Searching Source Files
6478@cindex searching source files
6479
6480There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6481regular expression.
6482
6483@table @code
6484@kindex search
6485@kindex forward-search
6486@item forward-search @var{regexp}
6487@itemx search @var{regexp}
6488The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6489starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6490@var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6491synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6492@code{fo}.
6493
6494@kindex reverse-search
6495@item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6496The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6497with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6498for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6499this command as @code{rev}.
6500@end table
6501
6502@node Source Path
6503@section Specifying Source Directories
6504
6505@cindex source path
6506@cindex directories for source files
6507Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6508files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6509the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6510session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6511this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6512it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6513in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6514
6515For example, suppose an executable references the file
6516@file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6517@file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6518fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6519fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6520message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6521source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6522Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6523the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6524@file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6525@file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6526
6527Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6528names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6529instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6530is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6531@file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6532that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6533
6534Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6535source files.
6536
6537Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6538any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6539each line is in the file.
6540
6541@kindex directory
6542@kindex dir
6543When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6544and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6545To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6546
6547The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6548script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6549
6550In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6551that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6552rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6553debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6554directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6555two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6556the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6557In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6558@var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6559of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6560source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6561name to look up the sources.
6562
6563Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6564moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6565@value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6566@file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6567@file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6568of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6569substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6570(@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6571
6572To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6573@var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6574For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6575@file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6576not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6577is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6578not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6579
6580In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6581command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6582the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6583subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6584subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6585preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6586allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6587command.
6588
6589@code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6590The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6591longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6592the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6593for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6594located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6595method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6596
6597@cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6598@cindex default source path substitution
6599You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6600configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6601@samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6602should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6603prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6604directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6605automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6606location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6607with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6608together.
6609
6610@table @code
6611@item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6612@item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6613Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6614directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6615(@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6616part of absolute file names) or
6617whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6618path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6619
6620@kindex cdir
6621@kindex cwd
6622@vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6623@vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6624@cindex compilation directory
6625@cindex current directory
6626@cindex working directory
6627@cindex directory, current
6628@cindex directory, compilation
6629You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6630directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6631working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6632tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6633session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6634directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6635
6636@item directory
6637Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6638
6639@c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6640@c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6641
6642@item set directories @var{path-list}
6643@kindex set directories
6644Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6645@samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6646
6647@item show directories
6648@kindex show directories
6649Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6650
6651@anchor{set substitute-path}
6652@item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6653@kindex set substitute-path
6654Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6655current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6656@var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6657
6658For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6659@file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6660
6661@smallexample
6662(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6663@end smallexample
6664
6665@noindent
6666will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6667@samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6668@file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6669
6670In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6671the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6672defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6673the substitution.
6674
6675For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6676
6677@smallexample
6678(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6679(@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6680@end smallexample
6681
6682@noindent
6683@value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6684@file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6685use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6686@file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6687
6688
6689@item unset substitute-path [path]
6690@kindex unset substitute-path
6691If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6692for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6693A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6694
6695If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6696
6697@item show substitute-path [path]
6698@kindex show substitute-path
6699If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6700which would rewrite that path, if any.
6701
6702If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6703rules.
6704
6705@end table
6706
6707If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6708interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6709versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6710
6711@enumerate
6712@item
6713Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6714
6715@item
6716Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6717directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6718directories in one command.
6719@end enumerate
6720
6721@node Machine Code
6722@section Source and Machine Code
6723@cindex source line and its code address
6724
6725You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6726addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6727a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6728@code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6729source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6730mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6731line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6732well as hex.
6733
6734@table @code
6735@kindex info line
6736@item info line @var{linespec}
6737Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6738source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6739the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6740@end table
6741
6742For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6743the object code for the first line of function
6744@code{m4_changequote}:
6745
6746@c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6747@c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6748@smallexample
6749(@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6750Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6751@end smallexample
6752
6753@noindent
6754@cindex code address and its source line
6755We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6756@var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6757@smallexample
6758(@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6759Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6760@end smallexample
6761
6762@cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6763@cindex @code{x} command, default address
6764@kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6765After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6766is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6767sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6768,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6769convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6770Variables}).
6771
6772@table @code
6773@kindex disassemble
6774@cindex assembly instructions
6775@cindex instructions, assembly
6776@cindex machine instructions
6777@cindex listing machine instructions
6778@item disassemble
6779@itemx disassemble /m
6780@itemx disassemble /r
6781This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6782instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6783the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6784in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6785The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6786program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6787command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6788surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6789be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6790arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6791
6792@table @code
6793@item @var{start},@var{end}
6794the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6795@item @var{start},+@var{length}
6796the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6797@code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6798@end table
6799
6800@noindent
6801When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6802printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6803
6804The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6805@samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6806
6807If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6808the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6809@end table
6810
6811The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6812HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6813
6814@smallexample
6815(@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6816Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6817 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6818 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6819 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6820 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6821 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6822 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6823 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6824 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6825End of assembler dump.
6826@end smallexample
6827
6828Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6829program is stopped just after function prologue:
6830
6831@smallexample
6832(@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6833Dump of assembler code for function main:
68345 @{
6835 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6836 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6837 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6838 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6839 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6840
68416 printf ("Hello.\n");
6842=> 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6843 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6844
68457 return 0;
68468 @}
6847 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6848 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6849 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6850
6851End of assembler dump.
6852@end smallexample
6853
6854Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6855
6856@smallexample
6857(gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6858Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6859 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6860 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6861 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6862 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6863End of assembler dump.
6864@end smallexample
6865
6866Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6867mnemonics or other syntax.
6868
6869For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6870instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6871libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6872location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6873might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6874
6875@table @code
6876@kindex set disassembly-flavor
6877@cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6878@cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6879@item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6880Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6881program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6882
6883Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6884can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6885The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6886assemblers for x86-based targets.
6887
6888@kindex show disassembly-flavor
6889@item show disassembly-flavor
6890Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6891@end table
6892
6893@table @code
6894@kindex set disassemble-next-line
6895@kindex show disassemble-next-line
6896@item set disassemble-next-line
6897@itemx show disassemble-next-line
6898Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6899line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6900display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6901program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6902displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6903possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6904(e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6905info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6906next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6907AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6908if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6909@value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6910with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6911OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6912instruction.
6913@end table
6914
6915
6916@node Data
6917@chapter Examining Data
6918
6919@cindex printing data
6920@cindex examining data
6921@kindex print
6922@kindex inspect
6923@c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6924@c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6925@c different window or something like that.
6926The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6927command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6928evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6929program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6930Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6931Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6932
6933@table @code
6934@item print @var{expr}
6935@itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6936@var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6937value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6938you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6939@var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6940Formats}.
6941
6942@item print
6943@itemx print /@var{f}
6944@cindex reprint the last value
6945If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6946@dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6947conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6948@end table
6949
6950A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6951It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6952specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6953
6954If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6955fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6956command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6957Table}.
6958
6959@menu
6960* Expressions:: Expressions
6961* Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6962* Variables:: Program variables
6963* Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6964* Output Formats:: Output formats
6965* Memory:: Examining memory
6966* Auto Display:: Automatic display
6967* Print Settings:: Print settings
6968* Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6969* Value History:: Value history
6970* Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6971* Registers:: Registers
6972* Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6973* Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6974* OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6975* Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6976* Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6977* Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6978* Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6979 character set than GDB does
6980* Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6981* Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6982@end menu
6983
6984@node Expressions
6985@section Expressions
6986
6987@cindex expressions
6988@code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6989compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6990by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6991@value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6992casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6993you compiled your program to include this information; see
6994@ref{Compilation}.
6995
6996@cindex arrays in expressions
6997@value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6998the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6999you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7000of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7001to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7002is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7003
7004Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7005this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7006Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7007languages.
7008
7009In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7010expressions regardless of your programming language.
7011
7012@cindex casts, in expressions
7013Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7014useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7015at that address in memory.
7016@c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7017
7018@value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7019to programming languages:
7020
7021@table @code
7022@item @@
7023@samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7024@xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7025
7026@item ::
7027@samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7028function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7029
7030@cindex @{@var{type}@}
7031@cindex type casting memory
7032@cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7033@cindex casts, to view memory
7034@item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7035Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7036memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7037pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7038a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7039normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7040@end table
7041
7042@node Ambiguous Expressions
7043@section Ambiguous Expressions
7044@cindex ambiguous expressions
7045
7046Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7047some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7048a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7049different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7050involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7051templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7052the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7053
7054In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7055the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7056can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7057@kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7058qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7059as well.
7060
7061When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7062has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7063possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7064The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7065aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7066used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7067menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7068choices.
7069
7070For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7071breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7072We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7073
7074@c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7075@smallexample
7076@group
7077(@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7078[0] cancel
7079[1] all
7080[2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7081[3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7082[4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7083[5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7084[6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7085[7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7086> 2 4 6
7087Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7088Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7089Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7090Multiple breakpoints were set.
7091Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7092 breakpoints.
7093(@value{GDBP})
7094@end group
7095@end smallexample
7096
7097@table @code
7098@kindex set multiple-symbols
7099@item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7100@cindex multiple-symbols menu
7101
7102This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7103is ambiguous.
7104
7105By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7106the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7107automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7108a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7109inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7110then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7111For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7112in the use of the menu.
7113
7114When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7115when an ambiguity is detected.
7116
7117Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7118an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7119
7120@kindex show multiple-symbols
7121@item show multiple-symbols
7122Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7123@end table
7124
7125@node Variables
7126@section Program Variables
7127
7128The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7129in your program.
7130
7131Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7132(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7133
7134@itemize @bullet
7135@item
7136global (or file-static)
7137@end itemize
7138
7139@noindent or
7140
7141@itemize @bullet
7142@item
7143visible according to the scope rules of the
7144programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7145@end itemize
7146
7147@noindent This means that in the function
7148
7149@smallexample
7150foo (a)
7151 int a;
7152@{
7153 bar (a);
7154 @{
7155 int b = test ();
7156 bar (b);
7157 @}
7158@}
7159@end smallexample
7160
7161@noindent
7162you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7163executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7164examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7165the block where @code{b} is declared.
7166
7167@cindex variable name conflict
7168There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7169scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7170in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7171function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7172happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7173you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7174using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7175
7176@cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7177@ifnotinfo
7178@c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7179@cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7180@end ifnotinfo
7181@smallexample
7182@var{file}::@var{variable}
7183@var{function}::@var{variable}
7184@end smallexample
7185
7186@noindent
7187Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7188static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7189make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7190to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7191
7192@smallexample
7193(@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7194@end smallexample
7195
7196@cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7197This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7198use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7199scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7200@c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7201@c conflict?? --mew
7202
7203@cindex wrong values
7204@cindex variable values, wrong
7205@cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7206@cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7207@quotation
7208@emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7209wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7210scope, and just before exit.
7211@end quotation
7212You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7213This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7214set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7215stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7216values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7217also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7218after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7219variable definitions may be gone.
7220
7221This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7222To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7223when compiling.
7224
7225@cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7226Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7227unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7228opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7229offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7230might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7231happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7232
7233@smallexample
7234No symbol "foo" in current context.
7235@end smallexample
7236
7237To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7238different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7239formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7240usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7241produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7242COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7243an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7244for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7245Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7246@xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7247that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7248
7249If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7250@value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7251by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7252type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7253
7254Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7255signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7256printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7257@code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7258defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7259For program code
7260
7261@smallexample
7262char var0[] = "A";
7263signed char var1[] = "A";
7264@end smallexample
7265
7266You get during debugging
7267@smallexample
7268(gdb) print var0
7269$1 = "A"
7270(gdb) print var1
7271$2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7272@end smallexample
7273
7274@node Arrays
7275@section Artificial Arrays
7276
7277@cindex artificial array
7278@cindex arrays
7279@kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7280It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7281same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7282dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7283program.
7284
7285You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7286@dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7287operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7288and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7289of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7290the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7291argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7292following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7293example. If a program says
7294
7295@smallexample
7296int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7297@end smallexample
7298
7299@noindent
7300you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7301
7302@smallexample
7303p *array@@len
7304@end smallexample
7305
7306The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7307with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7308subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7309Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7310(@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7311
7312Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7313This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7314The value need not be in memory:
7315@smallexample
7316(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7317$1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7318@end smallexample
7319
7320As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7321@samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7322the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7323@smallexample
7324(@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7325$2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7326@end smallexample
7327
7328Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7329moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7330actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7331of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7332to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7333Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7334interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7335instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7336structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7337in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7338
7339@smallexample
7340set $i = 0
7341p dtab[$i++]->fv
7342@key{RET}
7343@key{RET}
7344@dots{}
7345@end smallexample
7346
7347@node Output Formats
7348@section Output Formats
7349
7350@cindex formatted output
7351@cindex output formats
7352By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7353this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7354in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7355at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7356these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7357
7358The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7359already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7360@code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7361letters supported are:
7362
7363@table @code
7364@item x
7365Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7366hexadecimal.
7367
7368@item d
7369Print as integer in signed decimal.
7370
7371@item u
7372Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7373
7374@item o
7375Print as integer in octal.
7376
7377@item t
7378Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7379@footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7380used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7381see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7382
7383@item a
7384@cindex unknown address, locating
7385@cindex locate address
7386Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7387the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7388where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7389
7390@smallexample
7391(@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7392$3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7393@end smallexample
7394
7395@noindent
7396The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7397@xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7398
7399@item c
7400Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7401prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7402character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7403for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7404
7405Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7406@w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7407constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7408data.
7409
7410@item f
7411Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7412using typical floating point syntax.
7413
7414@item s
7415@cindex printing strings
7416@cindex printing byte arrays
7417Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7418data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7419are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7420natural types.
7421
7422Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7423@code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7424strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7425array.
7426
7427@item r
7428@cindex raw printing
7429Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7430use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7431Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7432value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7433pretty-printer which might exist.
7434@end table
7435
7436For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7437
7438@smallexample
7439p/x $pc
7440@end smallexample
7441
7442@noindent
7443Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7444names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7445
7446To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7447you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7448expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7449
7450@node Memory
7451@section Examining Memory
7452
7453You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7454any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7455
7456@cindex examining memory
7457@table @code
7458@kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7459@item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7460@itemx x @var{addr}
7461@itemx x
7462Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7463@end table
7464
7465@var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7466much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7467expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7468If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7469Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7470
7471@table @r
7472@item @var{n}, the repeat count
7473The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7474how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7475@c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7476@c 4.1.2.
7477
7478@item @var{f}, the display format
7479The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7480(@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7481@samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7482The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7483each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7484
7485@item @var{u}, the unit size
7486The unit size is any of
7487
7488@table @code
7489@item b
7490Bytes.
7491@item h
7492Halfwords (two bytes).
7493@item w
7494Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7495@item g
7496Giant words (eight bytes).
7497@end table
7498
7499Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7500default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7501the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7502the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7503Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
750432-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7505Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7506current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7507modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7508UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7509be altered.
7510
7511@item @var{addr}, starting display address
7512@var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7513memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7514it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7515@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7516@var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7517other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7518the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7519starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7520a value from memory).
7521@end table
7522
7523For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7524(@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7525starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7526words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7527@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7528
7529Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7530letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7531unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7532specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7533(However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7534
7535Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7536and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7537@samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7538including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7539the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7540slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7541follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7542@code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7543instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7544
7545All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7546easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7547you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7548instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7549with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7550the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7551for successive uses of @code{x}.
7552
7553When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7554counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7555
7556@smallexample
7557(@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7558 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7559 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7560 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7561=> 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7562 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7563@end smallexample
7564
7565@cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7566The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7567in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7568would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7569subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7570@code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7571examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7572@code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7573the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7574
7575If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7576are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7577address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7578
7579@cindex remote memory comparison
7580@cindex verify remote memory image
7581When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7582(@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7583remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7584the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7585situations.
7586
7587@table @code
7588@kindex compare-sections
7589@item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7590Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7591executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7592the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7593arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7594availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7595remote request.
7596@end table
7597
7598@node Auto Display
7599@section Automatic Display
7600@cindex automatic display
7601@cindex display of expressions
7602
7603If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7604(to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7605display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7606Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7607to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7608The automatic display looks like this:
7609
7610@smallexample
76112: foo = 38
76123: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7613@end smallexample
7614
7615@noindent
7616This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7617displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7618specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7619whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7620specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7621or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7622
7623@table @code
7624@kindex display
7625@item display @var{expr}
7626Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7627each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7628
7629@code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7630
7631@item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7632For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7633count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7634arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7635@xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7636
7637@item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7638For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7639number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7640be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7641doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7642@end table
7643
7644For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7645instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7646is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7647
7648@table @code
7649@kindex delete display
7650@kindex undisplay
7651@item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7652@itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7653Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
7654numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
7655argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
7656numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
7657or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7658
7659@code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7660(Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7661
7662@kindex disable display
7663@item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7664Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7665item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7666enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
7667want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
7668single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
7669the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
7670numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7671
7672@kindex enable display
7673@item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7674Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7675again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7676Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
7677command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
7678of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
7679display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7680
7681@item display
7682Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7683done when your program stops.
7684
7685@kindex info display
7686@item info display
7687Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7688automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7689values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7690It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7691because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7692@end table
7693
7694@cindex display disabled out of scope
7695If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7696sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7697expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7698variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7699@code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7700@code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7701continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7702there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7703automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7704is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7705
7706@node Print Settings
7707@section Print Settings
7708
7709@cindex format options
7710@cindex print settings
7711@value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7712and symbols are printed.
7713
7714@noindent
7715These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7716
7717@table @code
7718@kindex set print
7719@item set print address
7720@itemx set print address on
7721@cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7722@value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7723traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7724even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7725is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7726@code{set print address on}:
7727
7728@smallexample
7729@group
7730(@value{GDBP}) f
7731#0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7732 at input.c:530
7733530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7734@end group
7735@end smallexample
7736
7737@item set print address off
7738Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7739this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7740
7741@smallexample
7742@group
7743(@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7744(@value{GDBP}) f
7745#0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7746530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7747@end group
7748@end smallexample
7749
7750You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7751dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7752@code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7753all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7754
7755@kindex show print
7756@item show print address
7757Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7758@end table
7759
7760When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7761closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7762identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7763source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7764@code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7765you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7766it prints a symbolic address:
7767
7768@table @code
7769@item set print symbol-filename on
7770@cindex source file and line of a symbol
7771@cindex symbol, source file and line
7772Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7773symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7774
7775@item set print symbol-filename off
7776Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7777default.
7778
7779@item show print symbol-filename
7780Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7781line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7782@end table
7783
7784Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7785numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7786number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7787
7788Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7789printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7790
7791@table @code
7792@item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7793@cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7794Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7795offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7796@var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7797to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7798
7799@item show print max-symbolic-offset
7800Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7801symbolic address.
7802@end table
7803
7804@cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7805@cindex pointer, finding referent
7806If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7807@samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7808and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7809@samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7810For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7811at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7812
7813@smallexample
7814(@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7815(@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7816$4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7817@end smallexample
7818
7819@quotation
7820@emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7821does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7822the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7823@end quotation
7824
7825Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7826
7827@table @code
7828@item set print array
7829@itemx set print array on
7830@cindex pretty print arrays
7831Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7832but uses more space. The default is off.
7833
7834@item set print array off
7835Return to compressed format for arrays.
7836
7837@item show print array
7838Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7839arrays.
7840
7841@cindex print array indexes
7842@item set print array-indexes
7843@itemx set print array-indexes on
7844Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7845convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7846index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7847
7848@item set print array-indexes off
7849Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7850
7851@item show print array-indexes
7852Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7853arrays.
7854
7855@item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7856@cindex number of array elements to print
7857@cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7858Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7859If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7860printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7861This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7862When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7863Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7864
7865@item show print elements
7866Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7867If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7868
7869@item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7870@kindex set print frame-arguments
7871@cindex printing frame argument values
7872@cindex print all frame argument values
7873@cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7874@cindex do not print frame argument values
7875This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7876when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7877values are:
7878
7879@table @code
7880@item all
7881The values of all arguments are printed.
7882
7883@item scalars
7884Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7885complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7886by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7887only scalar arguments are shown:
7888
7889@smallexample
7890#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7891 at frame-args.c:23
7892@end smallexample
7893
7894@item none
7895None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7896is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7897
7898@smallexample
7899#1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7900 at frame-args.c:23
7901@end smallexample
7902@end table
7903
7904By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7905to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7906of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7907of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7908information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7909Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7910the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7911especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7912to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7913thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7914
7915@item show print frame-arguments
7916Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7917
7918@item set print repeats
7919@cindex repeated array elements
7920Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7921elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7922array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7923@code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7924identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7925themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7926be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7927
7928@item show print repeats
7929Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7930elements.
7931
7932@item set print null-stop
7933@cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7934Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7935@sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7936contain only short strings.
7937The default is off.
7938
7939@item show print null-stop
7940Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7941@sc{null} character.
7942
7943@item set print pretty on
7944@cindex print structures in indented form
7945@cindex indentation in structure display
7946Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7947per line, like this:
7948
7949@smallexample
7950@group
7951$1 = @{
7952 next = 0x0,
7953 flags = @{
7954 sweet = 1,
7955 sour = 1
7956 @},
7957 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7958@}
7959@end group
7960@end smallexample
7961
7962@item set print pretty off
7963Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7964
7965@smallexample
7966@group
7967$1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7968meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7969@end group
7970@end smallexample
7971
7972@noindent
7973This is the default format.
7974
7975@item show print pretty
7976Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7977
7978@item set print sevenbit-strings on
7979@cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7980@cindex octal escapes in strings
7981Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7982@value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7983character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7984best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7985high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7986
7987@item set print sevenbit-strings off
7988Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7989international character sets, and is the default.
7990
7991@item show print sevenbit-strings
7992Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7993
7994@item set print union on
7995@cindex unions in structures, printing
7996Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7997and other unions. This is the default setting.
7998
7999@item set print union off
8000Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8001structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8002instead.
8003
8004@item show print union
8005Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8006structures and other unions.
8007
8008For example, given the declarations
8009
8010@smallexample
8011typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8012typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8013typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8014 Bug_forms;
8015
8016struct thing @{
8017 Species it;
8018 union @{
8019 Tree_forms tree;
8020 Bug_forms bug;
8021 @} form;
8022@};
8023
8024struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8025@end smallexample
8026
8027@noindent
8028with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8029
8030@smallexample
8031$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8032@end smallexample
8033
8034@noindent
8035and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8036
8037@smallexample
8038$1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8039@end smallexample
8040
8041@noindent
8042@code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8043and in Pascal.
8044@end table
8045
8046@need 1000
8047@noindent
8048These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8049
8050@table @code
8051@cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8052@item set print demangle
8053@itemx set print demangle on
8054Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8055(``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8056linkage. The default is on.
8057
8058@item show print demangle
8059Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8060
8061@item set print asm-demangle
8062@itemx set print asm-demangle on
8063Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8064in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8065The default is off.
8066
8067@item show print asm-demangle
8068Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8069or demangled form.
8070
8071@cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8072@cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8073@kindex set demangle-style
8074@item set demangle-style @var{style}
8075Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8076represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8077
8078@table @code
8079@item auto
8080Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8081
8082@item gnu
8083Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8084This is the default.
8085
8086@item hp
8087Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8088
8089@item lucid
8090Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8091
8092@item arm
8093Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8094@strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8095debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8096require further enhancement to permit that.
8097
8098@end table
8099If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8100
8101@item show demangle-style
8102Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8103
8104@item set print object
8105@itemx set print object on
8106@cindex derived type of an object, printing
8107@cindex display derived types
8108When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8109(derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8110the virtual function table.
8111
8112@item set print object off
8113Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8114virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8115
8116@item show print object
8117Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8118
8119@item set print static-members
8120@itemx set print static-members on
8121@cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8122Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8123
8124@item set print static-members off
8125Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8126
8127@item show print static-members
8128Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8129
8130@item set print pascal_static-members
8131@itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8132@cindex static members of Pascal objects
8133@cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8134Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8135
8136@item set print pascal_static-members off
8137Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8138
8139@item show print pascal_static-members
8140Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8141
8142@c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8143@item set print vtbl
8144@itemx set print vtbl on
8145@cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8146@cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8147@cindex VTBL display
8148Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8149(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8150ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8151
8152@item set print vtbl off
8153Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8154
8155@item show print vtbl
8156Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8157@end table
8158
8159@node Pretty Printing
8160@section Pretty Printing
8161
8162@value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8163Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8164mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8165
8166@menu
8167* Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8168* Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8169* Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8170@end menu
8171
8172@node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8173@subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8174
8175When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8176registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8177pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8178
8179Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8180The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8181pretty-printers with their names.
8182If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8183@dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8184Each such subprinter has its own name.
8185The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8186
8187Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8188Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8189debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8190do anything special.
8191
8192There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8193
8194@itemize @bullet
8195@item
8196Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8197all inferiors.
8198
8199@item
8200Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8201when debugging that program.
8202@xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8203
8204@item
8205Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8206with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8207@xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8208@end itemize
8209
8210@xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8211pretty-printers are selected,
8212
8213@xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8214for new types.
8215
8216@node Pretty-Printer Example
8217@subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8218
8219Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8220
8221@smallexample
8222(@value{GDBP}) print s
8223$1 = @{
8224 static npos = 4294967295,
8225 _M_dataplus = @{
8226 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8227 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8228 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8229 @},
8230 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8231 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8232 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8233 @}
8234@}
8235@end smallexample
8236
8237With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8238
8239@smallexample
8240(@value{GDBP}) print s
8241$2 = "abcd"
8242@end smallexample
8243
8244@node Pretty-Printer Commands
8245@subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8246@cindex pretty-printer commands
8247
8248@table @code
8249@kindex info pretty-printer
8250@item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8251Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8252This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8253
8254@var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8255whose pretty-printers to list.
8256Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8257(@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8258and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8259@xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8260looks up a printer from these three objects.
8261
8262@var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8263to list.
8264
8265@kindex disable pretty-printer
8266@item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8267Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8268A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8269
8270@kindex enable pretty-printer
8271@item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8272Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8273@end table
8274
8275Example:
8276
8277Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8278named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8279another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8280@code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8281
8282@smallexample
8283(gdb) info pretty-printer
8284library1.so:
8285 foo
8286library2.so:
8287 bar
8288 bar1
8289 bar2
8290(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8291library2.so:
8292 bar
8293 bar1
8294 bar2
8295(gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
82961 printer disabled
82972 of 3 printers enabled
8298(gdb) info pretty-printer
8299library1.so:
8300 foo [disabled]
8301library2.so:
8302 bar
8303 bar1
8304 bar2
8305(gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
83061 printer disabled
83071 of 3 printers enabled
8308(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8309library1.so:
8310 foo [disabled]
8311library2.so:
8312 bar
8313 bar1 [disabled]
8314 bar2
8315(gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
83161 printer disabled
83170 of 3 printers enabled
8318(gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8319library1.so:
8320 foo [disabled]
8321library2.so:
8322 bar [disabled]
8323 bar1 [disabled]
8324 bar2
8325@end smallexample
8326
8327Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8328as can each individual subprinter.
8329
8330@node Value History
8331@section Value History
8332
8333@cindex value history
8334@cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8335Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8336@dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8337Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8338(for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8339When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8340since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8341symbol table.
8342
8343@cindex @code{$}
8344@cindex @code{$$}
8345@cindex history number
8346The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8347refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8348@code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8349printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8350history number.
8351
8352To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8353history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8354remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8355the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8356@code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8357is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8358@code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8359
8360For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8361want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8362
8363@smallexample
8364p *$
8365@end smallexample
8366
8367If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8368to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8369
8370@smallexample
8371p *$.next
8372@end smallexample
8373
8374@noindent
8375You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8376command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8377
8378Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8379@code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8380
8381@smallexample
8382print x
8383set x=5
8384@end smallexample
8385
8386@noindent
8387then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8388remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8389
8390@table @code
8391@kindex show values
8392@item show values
8393Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8394This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8395values} does not change the history.
8396
8397@item show values @var{n}
8398Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8399
8400@item show values +
8401Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8402values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8403@end table
8404
8405Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8406same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8407
8408@node Convenience Vars
8409@section Convenience Variables
8410
8411@cindex convenience variables
8412@cindex user-defined variables
8413@value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8414@value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8415exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8416setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8417of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8418
8419Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8420@samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8421the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8422(Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8423by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8424
8425You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8426expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8427For example:
8428
8429@smallexample
8430set $foo = *object_ptr
8431@end smallexample
8432
8433@noindent
8434would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8435@code{object_ptr}.
8436
8437Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8438value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8439value with another assignment at any time.
8440
8441Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8442variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8443that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8444variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8445
8446@table @code
8447@kindex show convenience
8448@cindex show all user variables
8449@item show convenience
8450Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8451Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8452
8453@kindex init-if-undefined
8454@cindex convenience variables, initializing
8455@item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8456Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8457for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8458to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8459convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8460override default values used in a command script.
8461
8462If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8463any side-effects do not occur.
8464@end table
8465
8466One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8467incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8468a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8469
8470@smallexample
8471set $i = 0
8472print bar[$i++]->contents
8473@end smallexample
8474
8475@noindent
8476Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8477
8478Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8479values likely to be useful.
8480
8481@table @code
8482@vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8483@item $_
8484The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8485the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8486commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8487set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8488and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8489except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8490to the type of @code{$__}.
8491
8492@vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8493@item $__
8494The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8495to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8496to match the format in which the data was printed.
8497
8498@item $_exitcode
8499@vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8500The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8501the program being debugged terminates.
8502
8503@item $_sdata
8504@vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8505The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8506data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8507@code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8508if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8509
8510@item $_siginfo
8511@vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8512The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8513(@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8514could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8515For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8516
8517@item $_tlb
8518@vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8519The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8520applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8521gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8522@xref{General Query Packets}.
8523This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8524
8525@end table
8526
8527On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8528begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8529name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8530
8531@cindex convenience functions
8532@value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8533have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8534function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8535however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8536@value{GDBN}.
8537
8538@table @code
8539@item help function
8540@kindex help function
8541@cindex show all convenience functions
8542Print a list of all convenience functions.
8543@end table
8544
8545@node Registers
8546@section Registers
8547
8548@cindex registers
8549You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8550with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8551for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8552your machine.
8553
8554@table @code
8555@kindex info registers
8556@item info registers
8557Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8558and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8559
8560@kindex info all-registers
8561@cindex floating point registers
8562@item info all-registers
8563Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8564and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8565
8566@item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8567Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8568As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8569the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8570the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8571@end table
8572
8573@cindex stack pointer register
8574@cindex program counter register
8575@cindex process status register
8576@cindex frame pointer register
8577@cindex standard registers
8578@value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8579expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8580architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8581@code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8582the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8583pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8584register that contains the processor status. For example,
8585you could print the program counter in hex with
8586
8587@smallexample
8588p/x $pc
8589@end smallexample
8590
8591@noindent
8592or print the instruction to be executed next with
8593
8594@smallexample
8595x/i $pc
8596@end smallexample
8597
8598@noindent
8599or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8600one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8601memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8602stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8603stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8604regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8605see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8606
8607@smallexample
8608set $sp += 4
8609@end smallexample
8610
8611Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8612your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8613so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8614shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8615registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8616can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8617is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8618
8619@value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8620integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8621special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8622registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8623to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8624(although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8625@samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8626
8627Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8628means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8629the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8630sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8631coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8632programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8633cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8634that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8635prints the data in both formats.
8636
8637@cindex SSE registers (x86)
8638@cindex MMX registers (x86)
8639Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8640in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8641have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8642together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8643registers in @code{struct} notation:
8644
8645@smallexample
8646(@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8647$1 = @{
8648 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8649 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8650 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8651 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8652 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8653 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8654 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8655@}
8656@end smallexample
8657
8658@noindent
8659To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8660view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8661value to a @code{struct} member:
8662
8663@smallexample
8664 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8665@end smallexample
8666
8667Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8668(@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8669value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8670were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8671true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8672frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8673
8674However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8675code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8676@value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8677frame makes no difference.
8678
8679@node Floating Point Hardware
8680@section Floating Point Hardware
8681@cindex floating point
8682
8683Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8684you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8685
8686@table @code
8687@kindex info float
8688@item info float
8689Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8690point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8691floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8692the ARM and x86 machines.
8693@end table
8694
8695@node Vector Unit
8696@section Vector Unit
8697@cindex vector unit
8698
8699Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8700more information about the status of the vector unit.
8701
8702@table @code
8703@kindex info vector
8704@item info vector
8705Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8706layout vary depending on the hardware.
8707@end table
8708
8709@node OS Information
8710@section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8711@cindex OS information
8712
8713@value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8714you debug your program.
8715
8716@cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8717@cindex @code{struct user} contents
8718When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8719machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8720system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8721called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8722command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8723structure.
8724
8725@table @code
8726@item info udot
8727@kindex info udot
8728Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8729kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8730contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8731the @code{examine} command.
8732@end table
8733
8734@cindex auxiliary vector
8735@cindex vector, auxiliary
8736Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8737startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8738specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8739binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8740hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8741identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8742Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8743@value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8744targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8745support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8746@ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8747
8748@table @code
8749@kindex info auxv
8750@item info auxv
8751Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8752live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8753numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8754tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8755pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8756most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8757an unrecognized tag.
8758@end table
8759
8760On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8761and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8762this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8763@samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8764
8765@table @code
8766@kindex info os
8767@item info os
8768List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8769target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8770report an error.
8771
8772@kindex info os processes
8773@item info os processes
8774Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8775@value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8776the command corresponding to the process.
8777@end table
8778
8779@node Memory Region Attributes
8780@section Memory Region Attributes
8781@cindex memory region attributes
8782
8783@dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8784required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8785attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8786accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8787target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8788fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8789user can override the fetched regions.
8790
8791Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8792memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8793accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8794been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8795all memory.
8796
8797When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8798to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8799
8800@table @code
8801@kindex mem
8802@item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8803Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8804attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8805monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8806case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8807(0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8808
8809@item mem auto
8810Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8811regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8812
8813@kindex delete mem
8814@item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8815Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8816monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8817
8818@kindex disable mem
8819@item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8820Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8821A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8822It may be enabled again later.
8823
8824@kindex enable mem
8825@item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8826Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8827
8828@kindex info mem
8829@item info mem
8830Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8831for each region:
8832
8833@table @emph
8834@item Memory Region Number
8835@item Enabled or Disabled.
8836Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8837Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8838
8839@item Lo Address
8840The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8841
8842@item Hi Address
8843The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8844
8845@item Attributes
8846The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8847@end table
8848@end table
8849
8850
8851@subsection Attributes
8852
8853@subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8854The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8855write accesses to a memory region.
8856
8857While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8858memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8859etc.@: from accessing memory.
8860
8861@table @code
8862@item ro
8863Memory is read only.
8864@item wo
8865Memory is write only.
8866@item rw
8867Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8868@end table
8869
8870@subsubsection Memory Access Size
8871The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8872accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8873require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8874specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8875
8876@table @code
8877@item 8
8878Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8879@item 16
8880Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8881@item 32
8882Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8883@item 64
8884Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8885@end table
8886
8887@c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8888@c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8889@c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8890@c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8891@c
8892@c @table @code
8893@c @item hwbreak
8894@c Always use hardware breakpoints
8895@c @item swbreak (default)
8896@c @end table
8897
8898@subsubsection Data Cache
8899The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8900memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8901protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8902does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8903registers.
8904
8905@table @code
8906@item cache
8907Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8908@item nocache
8909Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8910@end table
8911
8912@subsection Memory Access Checking
8913@value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8914not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8915regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8916better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8917
8918@table @code
8919@kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8920@item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8921If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8922explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8923to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8924memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8925treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8926The default value is @code{on}.
8927@kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8928@item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8929Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8930@end table
8931
8932
8933@c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8934@c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8935@c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8936@c
8937@c @table @code
8938@c @item verify
8939@c @item noverify (default)
8940@c @end table
8941
8942@node Dump/Restore Files
8943@section Copy Between Memory and a File
8944@cindex dump/restore files
8945@cindex append data to a file
8946@cindex dump data to a file
8947@cindex restore data from a file
8948
8949You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8950@code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8951@code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8952@code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8953memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8954Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8955files.
8956
8957@table @code
8958
8959@kindex dump
8960@item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8961@itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8962Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8963or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8964
8965The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8966@table @code
8967@item binary
8968Raw binary form.
8969@item ihex
8970Intel hex format.
8971@item srec
8972Motorola S-record format.
8973@item tekhex
8974Tektronix Hex format.
8975@end table
8976
8977@value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8978@sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8979@var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8980form.
8981
8982@kindex append
8983@item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8984@itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8985Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8986or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8987(@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8988
8989@kindex restore
8990@item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8991Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8992@code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8993file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8994must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8995
8996If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8997contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8998they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8999a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9000from that location.
9001
9002If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9003file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9004These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9005the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9006
9007@end table
9008
9009@node Core File Generation
9010@section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9011@cindex dump core from inferior
9012
9013A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9014image of a running process and its process status (register values
9015etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9016crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9017automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9018the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9019the post-mortem debugging mode.
9020
9021Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9022are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9023@value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9024
9025@table @code
9026@kindex gcore
9027@kindex generate-core-file
9028@item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9029@itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9030Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9031@var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9032specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9033@var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9034
9035Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9036this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9037@end table
9038
9039@node Character Sets
9040@section Character Sets
9041@cindex character sets
9042@cindex charset
9043@cindex translating between character sets
9044@cindex host character set
9045@cindex target character set
9046
9047If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9048represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9049@value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9050you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9051character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9052@dfn{target character set}.
9053
9054For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9055uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9056remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9057running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9058then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9059@sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9060target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9061@sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9062character and string literals in expressions.
9063
9064@value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9065the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9066target-charset} command, described below.
9067
9068Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9069support:
9070
9071@table @code
9072@item set target-charset @var{charset}
9073@kindex set target-charset
9074Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9075list of supported target character sets, type
9076@kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9077
9078@item set host-charset @var{charset}
9079@kindex set host-charset
9080Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9081
9082By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9083system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9084@code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9085automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9086case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9087
9088@value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9089set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9090@value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9091
9092@item set charset @var{charset}
9093@kindex set charset
9094Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9095above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9096@value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9097for both host and target.
9098
9099@item show charset
9100@kindex show charset
9101Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9102
9103@item show host-charset
9104@kindex show host-charset
9105Show the name of the current host character set.
9106
9107@item show target-charset
9108@kindex show target-charset
9109Show the name of the current target character set.
9110
9111@item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9112@kindex set target-wide-charset
9113Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9114the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9115display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9116@kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9117
9118@item show target-wide-charset
9119@kindex show target-wide-charset
9120Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9121@end table
9122
9123Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9124Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9125@file{charset-test.c}:
9126
9127@smallexample
9128#include <stdio.h>
9129
9130char ascii_hello[]
9131 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9132 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9133char ibm1047_hello[]
9134 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9135 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9136
9137main ()
9138@{
9139 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9140@}
9141@end smallexample
9142
9143In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9144containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9145encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9146
9147We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9148
9149@smallexample
9150$ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9151$ gdb -nw charset-test
9152GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9153Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9154@dots{}
9155(@value{GDBP})
9156@end smallexample
9157
9158We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9159@value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9160strings:
9161
9162@smallexample
9163(@value{GDBP}) show charset
9164The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9165(@value{GDBP})
9166@end smallexample
9167
9168For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9169initial character set:
9170@smallexample
9171(@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9172(@value{GDBP}) show charset
9173The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9174(@value{GDBP})
9175@end smallexample
9176
9177Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9178host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9179characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9180them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9181@sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9182
9183@smallexample
9184(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9185$1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9186(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9187$2 = 72 'H'
9188(@value{GDBP})
9189@end smallexample
9190
9191@value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9192literals you use in expressions:
9193
9194@smallexample
9195(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9196$3 = 43 '+'
9197(@value{GDBP})
9198@end smallexample
9199
9200The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9201character.
9202
9203@value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9204target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9205character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9206
9207@smallexample
9208(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9209$4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9210(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9211$5 = 200 '\310'
9212(@value{GDBP})
9213@end smallexample
9214
9215If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9216@value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9217
9218@smallexample
9219(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9220ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9221(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9222@end smallexample
9223
9224We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9225program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9226@value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9227target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9228@sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9229
9230@smallexample
9231(@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9232(@value{GDBP}) show charset
9233The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9234The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9235(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9236$6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9237(@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9238$7 = 72 '\110'
9239(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9240$8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9241(@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9242$9 = 200 'H'
9243(@value{GDBP})
9244@end smallexample
9245
9246As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9247string literals you use in expressions:
9248
9249@smallexample
9250(@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9251$10 = 78 '+'
9252(@value{GDBP})
9253@end smallexample
9254
9255The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9256character.
9257
9258@node Caching Remote Data
9259@section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9260@cindex caching data of remote targets
9261
9262@value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9263remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9264performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9265bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9266caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9267does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9268addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9269memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9270Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9271known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9272rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9273in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9274stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9275Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9276cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9277
9278@table @code
9279@kindex set remotecache
9280@item set remotecache on
9281@itemx set remotecache off
9282This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9283with old scripts.
9284
9285@kindex show remotecache
9286@item show remotecache
9287Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9288
9289@kindex set stack-cache
9290@item set stack-cache on
9291@itemx set stack-cache off
9292Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9293caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9294
9295@kindex show stack-cache
9296@item show stack-cache
9297Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9298
9299@kindex info dcache
9300@item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9301Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9302information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9303each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9304referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9305operation.
9306
9307If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9308printed in hex.
9309@end table
9310
9311@node Searching Memory
9312@section Search Memory
9313@cindex searching memory
9314
9315Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9316@code{find} command.
9317
9318@table @code
9319@kindex find
9320@item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9321@itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9322Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9323etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9324@var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9325@end table
9326
9327@var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9328They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9329
9330@table @r
9331@item @var{s}, search query size
9332The size of each search query value.
9333
9334@table @code
9335@item b
9336bytes
9337@item h
9338halfwords (two bytes)
9339@item w
9340words (four bytes)
9341@item g
9342giant words (eight bytes)
9343@end table
9344
9345All values are interpreted in the current language.
9346This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9347then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9348
9349If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9350value's type in the current language.
9351This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9352pattern as a mixture of types.
9353Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9354a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9355which is typically four bytes.
9356
9357@item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9358The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9359@end table
9360
9361You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9362 (@code{"}).
9363The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9364regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9365
9366The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9367number of matches found.
9368
9369The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9370@samp{$_}.
9371A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9372
9373For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9374
9375@smallexample
9376void
9377hello ()
9378@{
9379 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9380 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9381 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9382 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9383 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9384@}
9385@end smallexample
9386
9387@noindent
9388you get during debugging:
9389
9390@smallexample
9391(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
93920x804956d <hello.1620+6>
93931 pattern found
9394(gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
93950x8049567 <hello.1620>
93960x804956d <hello.1620+6>
93972 patterns found
9398(gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
93990x8049567 <hello.1620>
94001 pattern found
9401(gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
94020x8049560 <mixed.1625>
94031 pattern found
9404(gdb) print $numfound
9405$1 = 1
9406(gdb) print $_
9407$2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9408@end smallexample
9409
9410@node Optimized Code
9411@chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9412@cindex optimized code, debugging
9413@cindex debugging optimized code
9414
9415Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9416disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9417directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9418applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9419diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9420information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9421the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9422
9423@value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9424can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9425progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9426where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9427
9428When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9429optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9430really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9431exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9432variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9433variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9434
9435Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9436@samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9437doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9438please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9439@xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9440
9441@menu
9442* Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9443@end menu
9444
9445@node Inline Functions
9446@section Inline Functions
9447@cindex inline functions, debugging
9448
9449@dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9450body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9451routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9452non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9453arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9454them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9455You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9456@code{info frame} command.
9457
9458For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9459record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9460@value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9461other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9462when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9463do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9464@samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9465function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9466displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9467local variables in the caller.
9468
9469The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9470unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9471the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9472start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9473the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9474the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9475instructions are executed.
9476
9477This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9478context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9479a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9480this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9481
9482There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9483function calls are the same as normal calls:
9484
9485@itemize @bullet
9486@item
9487You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9488either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9489breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9490will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9491set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9492function instead.
9493
9494@item
9495Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9496work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9497may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9498function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9499version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9500or inside the inlined function instead.
9501
9502@item
9503@value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9504using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9505debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9506and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9507
9508@end itemize
9509
9510
9511@node Macros
9512@chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9513
9514Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9515``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9516@value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9517the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9518where it was defined.
9519
9520You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9521with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9522include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9523with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9524
9525A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9526and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9527points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9528no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9529uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9530@value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9531see @ref{List}.
9532
9533Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9534macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9535the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9536
9537@table @code
9538
9539@kindex macro expand
9540@cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9541@cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9542@cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9543@item macro expand @var{expression}
9544@itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9545Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9546@var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9547not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9548it can be any string of tokens.
9549
9550@kindex macro exp1
9551@item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9552@itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9553@cindex expand macro once
9554@i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9555expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9556@var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9557left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9558particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9559expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9560parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9561can be any string of tokens.
9562
9563@kindex info macro
9564@cindex macro definition, showing
9565@cindex definition, showing a macro's
9566@item info macro @var{macro}
9567Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9568source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9569
9570@kindex macro define
9571@cindex user-defined macros
9572@cindex defining macros interactively
9573@cindex macros, user-defined
9574@item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9575@itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9576Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9577invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9578@var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9579``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9580defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9581@var{arglist}.
9582
9583A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9584expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9585@code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9586all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9587as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9588
9589@kindex macro undef
9590@item macro undef @var{macro}
9591Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9592This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9593define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9594in the program being debugged.
9595
9596@kindex macro list
9597@item macro list
9598List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9599@end table
9600
9601@cindex macros, example of debugging with
9602Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9603show our source files:
9604
9605@smallexample
9606$ cat sample.c
9607#include <stdio.h>
9608#include "sample.h"
9609
9610#define M 42
9611#define ADD(x) (M + x)
9612
9613main ()
9614@{
9615#define N 28
9616 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9617#undef N
9618 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9619#define N 1729
9620 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9621@}
9622$ cat sample.h
9623#define Q <
9624$
9625@end smallexample
9626
9627Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9628We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9629compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9630information.
9631
9632@smallexample
9633$ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9634$
9635@end smallexample
9636
9637Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9638
9639@smallexample
9640$ gdb -nw sample
9641GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9642Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9643GDB is free software, @dots{}
9644(@value{GDBP})
9645@end smallexample
9646
9647We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9648program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9649to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9650
9651@smallexample
9652(@value{GDBP}) list main
96533
96544 #define M 42
96555 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
96566
96577 main ()
96588 @{
96599 #define N 28
966010 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
966111 #undef N
966212 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9663(@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9664Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9665#define ADD(x) (M + x)
9666(@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9667Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9668 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9669#define Q <
9670(@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9671expands to: (42 + 1)
9672(@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9673expands to: once (M + 1)
9674(@value{GDBP})
9675@end smallexample
9676
9677In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9678the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9679@code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9680which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9681
9682Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9683force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9684
9685@smallexample
9686(@value{GDBP}) break main
9687Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9688(@value{GDBP}) run
9689Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9690
9691Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
969210 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9693(@value{GDBP})
9694@end smallexample
9695
9696At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9697
9698@smallexample
9699(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9700Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9701#define N 28
9702(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9703expands to: 28 < 42
9704(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9705$1 = 1
9706(@value{GDBP})
9707@end smallexample
9708
9709As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9710give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9711thereof) in force at each point:
9712
9713@smallexample
9714(@value{GDBP}) next
9715Hello, world!
971612 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9717(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9718The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9719at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9720(@value{GDBP}) next
9721We're so creative.
972214 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9723(@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9724Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9725#define N 1729
9726(@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9727expands to: 1729 < 42
9728(@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9729$2 = 0
9730(@value{GDBP})
9731@end smallexample
9732
9733In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9734line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9735such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9736of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9737
9738@smallexample
9739(@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9740Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9741-D__STDC__=1
9742(@value{GDBP})
9743@end smallexample
9744
9745
9746@node Tracepoints
9747@chapter Tracepoints
9748@c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9749@c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9750
9751@cindex tracepoints
9752In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9753the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9754anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9755depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9756might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9757fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9758to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9759
9760Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9761specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9762arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9763Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9764those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9765expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9766for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9767a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9768in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9769values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9770unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9771
9772The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9773targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9774how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9775remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9776support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9777packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9778Packets}.
9779
9780It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9781of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9782through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9783
9784This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9785
9786@menu
9787* Set Tracepoints::
9788* Analyze Collected Data::
9789* Tracepoint Variables::
9790* Trace Files::
9791@end menu
9792
9793@node Set Tracepoints
9794@section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9795
9796Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9797tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9798breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9799standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9800tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9801of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9802as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9803
9804For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9805of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9806it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9807local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9808commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9809tracepoint was hit.
9810
9811Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9812tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9813commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9814either.
9815
9816@cindex fast tracepoints
9817Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9818a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9819faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9820
9821@cindex static tracepoints
9822@cindex markers, static tracepoints
9823@cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9824Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9825that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9826in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9827tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9828instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9829the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9830address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9831investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9832support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9833points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9834tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9835@value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namelly, support for collecting
9836registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9837point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9838The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9839instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9840static tracepoint marker.
9841
9842@code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9843@xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9844
9845This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9846conditions and actions.
9847
9848@menu
9849* Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9850* Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9851* Tracepoint Passcounts::
9852* Tracepoint Conditions::
9853* Trace State Variables::
9854* Tracepoint Actions::
9855* Listing Tracepoints::
9856* Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9857* Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9858* Tracepoint Restrictions::
9859@end menu
9860
9861@node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9862@subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9863
9864@table @code
9865@cindex set tracepoint
9866@kindex trace
9867@item trace @var{location}
9868The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9869Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9870an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9871@code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9872target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9873data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9874changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9875command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9876not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9877
9878Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9879
9880@smallexample
9881(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9882
9883(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9884
9885(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9886
9887(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9888
9889(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9890@end smallexample
9891
9892@noindent
9893You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9894
9895@item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9896Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9897@var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9898if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9899@xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9900information on tracepoint conditions.
9901
9902@item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9903@cindex set fast tracepoint
9904@cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9905@kindex ftrace
9906The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9907support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9908less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9909instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9910may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9911location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9912message.
9913
9914@value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9915@code{trace}.
9916
9917@item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9918@cindex set static tracepoint
9919@cindex static tracepoints, setting
9920@cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9921@kindex strace
9922The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9923support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9924instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9925be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9926which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9927
9928@value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9929@code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9930@code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9931identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9932depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9933using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9934of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9935@xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9936Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9937tracing engine:
9938
9939@smallexample
9940main ()
9941@{
9942 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9943@}
9944@end smallexample
9945
9946@noindent
9947the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9948@code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9949
9950@smallexample
9951(@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9952Cnt Enb ID Address What
99531 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9954 Data: "str %s"
9955[etc...]
9956@end smallexample
9957
9958@noindent
9959so you may probe the marker above with:
9960
9961@smallexample
9962(@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9963@end smallexample
9964
9965Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9966$_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9967call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9968that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9969string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9970string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9971static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9972the @samp{Data:} field.
9973
9974You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
9975the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
9976@value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
9977
9978@vindex $tpnum
9979@cindex last tracepoint number
9980@cindex recent tracepoint number
9981@cindex tracepoint number
9982The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9983of the most recently set tracepoint.
9984
9985@kindex delete tracepoint
9986@cindex tracepoint deletion
9987@item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9988Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9989default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9990@code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9991
9992Examples:
9993
9994@smallexample
9995(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9996
9997(@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9998@end smallexample
9999
10000@noindent
10001You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10002@end table
10003
10004@node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10005@subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10006
10007These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10008
10009@table @code
10010@kindex disable tracepoint
10011@item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10012Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10013@var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10014the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10015a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10016
10017@kindex enable tracepoint
10018@item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10019Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
10020tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
10021run.
10022@end table
10023
10024@node Tracepoint Passcounts
10025@subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10026
10027@table @code
10028@kindex passcount
10029@cindex tracepoint pass count
10030@item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10031Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10032automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10033@var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10034the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10035@var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10036passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10037given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10038user.
10039
10040Examples:
10041
10042@smallexample
10043(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10044@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10045
10046(@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10047@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10048(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10049(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10050(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10051(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10052(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10053(@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10054@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10055@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10056@exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10057@end smallexample
10058@end table
10059
10060@node Tracepoint Conditions
10061@subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10062@cindex conditional tracepoints
10063@cindex tracepoint conditions
10064
10065The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10066reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10067a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10068programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10069tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10070program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10071is true.
10072
10073Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10074using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10075@xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10076also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10077just as with breakpoints.
10078
10079Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10080the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10081expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
10082suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10083Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10084accesses, and so forth.
10085
10086For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10087frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10088could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10089of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10090through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10091collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10092search through.
10093
10094@smallexample
10095(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10096@end smallexample
10097
10098@node Trace State Variables
10099@subsection Trace State Variables
10100@cindex trace state variables
10101
10102A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10103created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10104that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10105but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10106using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10107integers.
10108
10109Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10110to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10111experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10112trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10113
10114@cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10115Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10116them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10117variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10118while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10119the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10120cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10121@code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10122variable with the same name.
10123
10124@table @code
10125
10126@item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10127@kindex tvariable
10128The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10129@code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10130@var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10131entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10132otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10133@code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10134variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10135existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10136value. The default initial value is 0.
10137
10138@item info tvariables
10139@kindex info tvariables
10140List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10141Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10142currently running.
10143
10144@item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10145@kindex delete tvariable
10146Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10147are specified.
10148
10149@end table
10150
10151@node Tracepoint Actions
10152@subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10153
10154@table @code
10155@kindex actions
10156@cindex tracepoint actions
10157@item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10158This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10159tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10160specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10161recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10162@code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10163actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10164terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10165far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10166@code{while-stepping}.
10167
10168@code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10169Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10170actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10171
10172@cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10173To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10174and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10175
10176@smallexample
10177(@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10178
10179(@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10180
10181(@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10182@end smallexample
10183
10184In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10185commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10186hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10187following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10188followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10189sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10190terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10191list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10192
10193@smallexample
10194(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10195(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10196Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10197> collect bar,baz
10198> collect $regs
10199> while-stepping 12
10200 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10201 > end
10202end
10203@end smallexample
10204
10205@kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10206@item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10207Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10208This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10209In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10210special arguments are supported:
10211
10212@table @code
10213@item $regs
10214Collect all registers.
10215
10216@item $args
10217Collect all function arguments.
10218
10219@item $locals
10220Collect all local variables.
10221
10222@item $_sdata
10223@vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10224Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10225static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10226Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10227instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10228tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10229character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10230instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10231Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10232
10233@smallexample
10234 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10235 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10236@end smallexample
10237
10238In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10239@samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10240inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10241@value{GDBN}.
10242@end table
10243
10244You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10245with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10246arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10247
10248The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10249particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10250
10251@kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10252@item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10253Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10254command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10255are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10256state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10257values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10258action were used.
10259
10260@kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10261@item while-stepping @var{n}
10262Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10263collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10264command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10265(followed by its own @code{end} command):
10266
10267@smallexample
10268> while-stepping 12
10269 > collect $regs, myglobal
10270 > end
10271>
10272@end smallexample
10273
10274@noindent
10275Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10276@code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10277you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10278@code{stepping}.
10279
10280@item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10281@kindex set default-collect
10282@cindex default collection action
10283This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10284hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10285to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10286individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10287@code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10288local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10289
10290@item show default-collect
10291@kindex show default-collect
10292Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10293tracepoint hit.
10294
10295@end table
10296
10297@node Listing Tracepoints
10298@subsection Listing Tracepoints
10299
10300@table @code
10301@kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10302@kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10303@cindex information about tracepoints
10304@item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
10305Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10306specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10307tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10308@code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10309command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10310
10311A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10312tracing:
10313
10314@itemize @bullet
10315@item
10316its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10317@end itemize
10318
10319@smallexample
10320(@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10321Num Type Disp Enb Address What
103221 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10323 while-stepping 20
10324 collect globfoo, $regs
10325 end
10326 collect globfoo2
10327 end
10328 pass count 1200
10329(@value{GDBP})
10330@end smallexample
10331
10332@noindent
10333This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10334@end table
10335
10336@node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10337@subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10338
10339@table @code
10340@kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10341@cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10342@item info static-tracepoint-markers
10343Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10344program.
10345
10346For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10347
10348@table @emph
10349@item Count
10350An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10351stable identifier.
10352@item ID
10353The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10354@item Enabled or Disabled
10355Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10356that are not enabled.
10357@item Address
10358Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10359@item What
10360Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10361number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10362allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10363will be left blank.
10364@end table
10365
10366@noindent
10367In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10368
10369@table @emph
10370@item Data
10371User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10372UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10373marker call.
10374@item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10375The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10376@end table
10377
10378@smallexample
10379(@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10380Cnt ID Enb Address What
103811 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10382 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10383 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
103842 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10385 Data: str %s
10386(@value{GDBP})
10387@end smallexample
10388@end table
10389
10390@node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10391@subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10392
10393@table @code
10394@kindex tstart
10395@cindex start a new trace experiment
10396@cindex collected data discarded
10397@item tstart
10398This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10399begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10400the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10401experiment.
10402
10403@kindex tstop
10404@cindex stop a running trace experiment
10405@item tstop
10406This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10407stops collecting data.
10408
10409@strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10410automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10411(@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10412
10413@kindex tstatus
10414@cindex status of trace data collection
10415@cindex trace experiment, status of
10416@item tstatus
10417This command displays the status of the current trace data
10418collection.
10419@end table
10420
10421Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10422
10423@smallexample
10424(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10425(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10426Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10427> collect $regs,$locals,$args
10428> while-stepping 11
10429 > collect $regs
10430 > end
10431> end
10432(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10433 [time passes @dots{}]
10434(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10435@end smallexample
10436
10437@cindex disconnected tracing
10438You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10439@value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10440involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10441ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10442terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10443unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10444@code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10445continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10446
10447@table @code
10448@item set disconnected-tracing on
10449@itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10450@kindex set disconnected-tracing
10451Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10452has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10453@code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10454matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10455for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10456
10457@item show disconnected-tracing
10458@kindex show disconnected-tracing
10459Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10460
10461@end table
10462
10463When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10464still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10465meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10466it will continue after reconnection.
10467
10468Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10469tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10470information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10471to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10472have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10473the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10474debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10475which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10476necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10477created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10478
10479@cindex circular trace buffer
10480If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10481can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10482buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10483frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10484collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10485hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10486buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10487@samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10488including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10489buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10490the next run.
10491
10492@table @code
10493@item set circular-trace-buffer on
10494@itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10495@kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10496Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10497for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10498fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10499data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10500
10501@item show circular-trace-buffer
10502@kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10503Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10504match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10505match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10506for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10507
10508@end table
10509
10510@node Tracepoint Restrictions
10511@subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10512
10513@cindex tracepoint restrictions
10514There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10515described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10516without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10517the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10518examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10519collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10520is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10521mentioned here.
10522
10523@itemize @bullet
10524
10525@item
10526Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10527the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10528You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10529convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10530state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10531functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10532cannot be collected either.
10533
10534@item
10535Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10536@code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10537behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10538instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10539may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10540tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10541variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10542tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10543where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10544program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10545
10546@item
10547Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10548may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10549in a misleading way.
10550
10551@item
10552When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10553dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10554being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10555not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10556dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10557collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10558@code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10559by @code{ptr}.
10560
10561@item
10562It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10563tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10564bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10565(adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10566target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10567Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10568using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10569depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10570if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10571stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10572invalid address.
10573
10574@item
10575If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10576infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10577the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10578for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10579multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10580inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10581@value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10582it to zero.
10583
10584@end itemize
10585
10586@node Analyze Collected Data
10587@section Using the Collected Data
10588
10589After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10590for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10591collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10592snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10593consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10594examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10595specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10596snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10597registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10598rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10599debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10600(@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10601behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10602when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10603the buffer will fail.
10604
10605@menu
10606* tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10607* tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10608* save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10609@end menu
10610
10611@node tfind
10612@subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10613
10614@kindex tfind
10615@cindex select trace snapshot
10616@cindex find trace snapshot
10617The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10618@code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10619counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10620snapshot is selected.
10621
10622Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10623
10624@table @code
10625@item tfind start
10626Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10627@code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10628
10629@item tfind none
10630Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10631
10632@item tfind end
10633Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10634
10635@item tfind
10636No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10637
10638@item tfind -
10639Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10640retracing earlier steps.
10641
10642@item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10643Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10644proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10645argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10646for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10647
10648@item tfind pc @var{addr}
10649Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10650program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10651snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10652snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10653
10654@item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10655Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10656addresses (exclusive).
10657
10658@item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10659Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10660@var{addr2} (inclusive).
10661
10662@item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10663Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10664the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10665that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10666trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10667next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10668@code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10669stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10670@end table
10671
10672The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10673designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10674instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10675snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10676trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10677simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10678snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10679@key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10680The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10681for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10682no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10683(PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10684no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10685tracepoint as the current one.
10686
10687In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10688these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10689scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10690you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10691registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10692
10693@smallexample
10694(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10695(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10696> printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10697 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10698> tfind
10699> end
10700
10701Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10702Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10703Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10704Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10705Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10706Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10707Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10708Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10709Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10710Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10711Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10712@end smallexample
10713
10714Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10715the buffer:
10716
10717@smallexample
10718(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10719(@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10720> printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10721> tfind line
10722> end
10723
10724Frame 0, X = 1
10725Frame 7, X = 2
10726Frame 13, X = 255
10727@end smallexample
10728
10729@node tdump
10730@subsection @code{tdump}
10731@kindex tdump
10732@cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10733@cindex tracepoint data, display
10734
10735This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10736the current trace snapshot.
10737
10738@smallexample
10739(@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10740(@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10741Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10742> collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10743> end
10744
10745(@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10746
10747(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10748#0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10749at gdb_test.c:444
10750444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10751
10752(@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10753Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10754d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10755d1 0x18 24
10756d2 0x80 128
10757d3 0x33 51
10758d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10759d5 0x22 34
10760d6 0xe0 224
10761d7 0x380035 3670069
10762a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10763a1 0x3000668 50333288
10764a2 0x100 256
10765a3 0x322000 3284992
10766a4 0x3000698 50333336
10767a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10768fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10769sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10770ps 0x0 0
10771pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10772fpcontrol 0x0 0
10773fpstatus 0x0 0
10774fpiaddr 0x0 0
10775p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10776p1 = (void *) 0x11
10777p2 = (void *) 0x22
10778p3 = (void *) 0x33
10779p4 = (void *) 0x44
10780p5 = (void *) 0x55
10781p6 = (void *) 0x66
10782gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10783
10784(@value{GDBP})
10785@end smallexample
10786
10787@code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10788actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10789@code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10790actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10791
10792Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10793uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10794frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10795collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10796to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10797body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10798then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10799list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10800same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10801@c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10802
10803@node save tracepoints
10804@subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10805@kindex save tracepoints
10806@kindex save-tracepoints
10807@cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10808
10809This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10810their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10811suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10812tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10813Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10814alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10815
10816@node Tracepoint Variables
10817@section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10818@cindex tracepoint variables
10819@cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10820
10821@table @code
10822@vindex $trace_frame
10823@item (int) $trace_frame
10824The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10825snapshot is selected.
10826
10827@vindex $tracepoint
10828@item (int) $tracepoint
10829The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10830
10831@vindex $trace_line
10832@item (int) $trace_line
10833The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10834
10835@vindex $trace_file
10836@item (char []) $trace_file
10837The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10838
10839@vindex $trace_func
10840@item (char []) $trace_func
10841The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10842@end table
10843
10844Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10845use @code{output} instead.
10846
10847Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10848stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10849data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10850which are managed by the target.
10851
10852@smallexample
10853(@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10854
10855(@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10856> output $trace_file
10857> printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10858> tfind
10859> end
10860@end smallexample
10861
10862@node Trace Files
10863@section Using Trace Files
10864@cindex trace files
10865
10866In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10867longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10868for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10869dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10870of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10871
10872@table @code
10873
10874@kindex tsave
10875@item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10876Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10877assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10878necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10879then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10880optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10881the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10882more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10883@code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10884
10885@kindex target tfile
10886@kindex tfile
10887@item target tfile @var{filename}
10888Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10889that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10890possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10891the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10892as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10893on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10894
10895@end table
10896
10897@node Overlays
10898@chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10899@cindex overlays
10900
10901If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10902memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10903problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10904use overlays.
10905
10906@menu
10907* How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10908* Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10909* Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10910 mapped by asking the inferior.
10911* Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10912@end menu
10913
10914@node How Overlays Work
10915@section How Overlays Work
10916@cindex mapped overlays
10917@cindex unmapped overlays
10918@cindex load address, overlay's
10919@cindex mapped address
10920@cindex overlay area
10921
10922Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10923kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10924other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10925management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10926adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10927
10928One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10929independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10930@dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10931their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10932instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10933largest overlay as well.
10934
10935Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10936overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10937for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10938there.
10939
10940@c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10941@c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10942@c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10943
10944@smallexample
10945@group
10946 Data Instruction Larger
10947Address Space Address Space Address Space
10948+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10949| | | | | |
10950+-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10951| program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10952| variables | | program | | +-----------+
10953| and heap | | | | | |
10954+-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10955| | +-----------+ | | | load address
10956+-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10957 | | | | | |
10958 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10959 address | | | | | |
10960 | overlay | <-' | | |
10961 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10962 | | <---. | | load address
10963 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10964 | | | |
10965 +-----------+ | |
10966 +-----------+
10967 | |
10968 +-----------+
10969
10970 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10971@end group
10972@end smallexample
10973
10974The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10975and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10976its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10977Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10978may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10979data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10980program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10981program and the overlay area.
10982
10983An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10984@dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10985instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10986in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10987is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10988the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10989called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10990
10991Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10992program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10993global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10994
10995@itemize @bullet
10996
10997@item
10998Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10999must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11000return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11001overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11002
11003@item
11004If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11005will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11006your program's performance.
11007
11008@item
11009The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11010overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11011mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11012and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11013You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11014addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11015ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11016
11017@item
11018The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11019to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11020instruction and data spaces.
11021
11022@end itemize
11023
11024The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11025improved in many ways:
11026
11027@itemize @bullet
11028
11029@item
11030If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11031hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11032contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11033This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11034area in the usual way.
11035
11036@item
11037If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11038overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11039
11040@item
11041You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11042general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11043code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11044return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11045the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11046must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11047different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11048
11049@end itemize
11050
11051
11052@node Overlay Commands
11053@section Overlay Commands
11054
11055To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11056correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11057virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11058mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11059@value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11060variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11061
11062@value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11063you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11064
11065@table @code
11066@item overlay off
11067@kindex overlay
11068Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11069disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11070always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11071overlay support is disabled.
11072
11073@item overlay manual
11074@cindex manual overlay debugging
11075Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11076relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11077using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11078commands described below.
11079
11080@item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11081@itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11082@cindex map an overlay
11083Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11084be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11085overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11086functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11087that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11088@var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11089
11090@item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11091@itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11092@cindex unmap an overlay
11093Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11094must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11095When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11096overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11097
11098@item overlay auto
11099Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11100consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11101to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11102Overlay Debugging}.
11103
11104@item overlay load-target
11105@itemx overlay load
11106@cindex reloading the overlay table
11107Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11108re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11109stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11110overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11111useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11112
11113@item overlay list-overlays
11114@itemx overlay list
11115@cindex listing mapped overlays
11116Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11117addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11118
11119@end table
11120
11121Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11122of the function the address falls in:
11123
11124@smallexample
11125(@value{GDBP}) print main
11126$3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11127@end smallexample
11128@noindent
11129When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11130unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11131asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11132unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11133
11134@smallexample
11135(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11136No sections are mapped.
11137(@value{GDBP}) print foo
11138$5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11139@end smallexample
11140@noindent
11141When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11142name normally:
11143
11144@smallexample
11145(@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11146Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11147 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11148(@value{GDBP}) print foo
11149$6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11150@end smallexample
11151
11152When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11153address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11154overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11155@code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11156code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11157
11158@itemize @bullet
11159@item
11160@cindex breakpoints in overlays
11161@cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11162You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11163@value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11164@item
11165@value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11166unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11167overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11168you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11169breakpoints properly.
11170@end itemize
11171
11172
11173@node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11174@section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11175@cindex automatic overlay debugging
11176
11177@value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11178are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11179inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11180@code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11181looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11182current state of the overlays.
11183
11184Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11185@value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11186
11187@table @asis
11188
11189@item @code{_ovly_table}:
11190This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11191
11192@smallexample
11193struct
11194@{
11195 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11196 unsigned long vma;
11197
11198 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11199 unsigned long size;
11200
11201 /* The overlay's load address. */
11202 unsigned long lma;
11203
11204 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11205 zero otherwise. */
11206 unsigned long mapped;
11207@}
11208@end smallexample
11209
11210@item @code{_novlys}:
11211This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11212number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11213
11214@end table
11215
11216To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11217looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11218@code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11219executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11220the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11221currently mapped.
11222
11223In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11224@code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11225will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11226calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11227will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11228are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11229in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11230overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11231are not being executed.
11232
11233@node Overlay Sample Program
11234@section Overlay Sample Program
11235@cindex overlay example program
11236
11237When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11238at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11239addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11240Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11241since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11242architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11243portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11244
11245However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11246program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11247suite. The program consists of the following files from
11248@file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11249
11250@table @file
11251@item overlays.c
11252The main program file.
11253@item ovlymgr.c
11254A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11255@item foo.c
11256@itemx bar.c
11257@itemx baz.c
11258@itemx grbx.c
11259Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11260@item d10v.ld
11261@itemx m32r.ld
11262Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11263and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11264@end table
11265
11266You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11267cross-compiler like this:
11268
11269@smallexample
11270$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11271$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11272$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11273$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11274$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11275$ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11276$ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11277 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11278@end smallexample
11279
11280The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11281you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11282target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11283
11284
11285@node Languages
11286@chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11287@cindex languages
11288
11289Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11290rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11291dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11292Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11293represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11294@samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11295
11296@cindex working language
11297Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11298allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11299native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11300consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11301language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11302language}.
11303
11304@menu
11305* Setting:: Switching between source languages
11306* Show:: Displaying the language
11307* Checks:: Type and range checks
11308* Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11309* Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11310@end menu
11311
11312@node Setting
11313@section Switching Between Source Languages
11314
11315There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11316set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11317@code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11318defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11319used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11320are printed, etc.
11321
11322In addition to the working language, every source file that
11323@value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11324file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11325source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11326language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11327controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11328show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11329set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11330set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11331Displaying the Language}.
11332
11333This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11334as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11335another language. In that case, make the
11336program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11337@value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11338program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11339
11340@menu
11341* Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11342* Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11343* Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11344@end menu
11345
11346@node Filenames
11347@subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11348
11349If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11350@value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11351
11352@table @file
11353@item .ada
11354@itemx .ads
11355@itemx .adb
11356@itemx .a
11357Ada source file.
11358
11359@item .c
11360C source file
11361
11362@item .C
11363@itemx .cc
11364@itemx .cp
11365@itemx .cpp
11366@itemx .cxx
11367@itemx .c++
11368C@t{++} source file
11369
11370@item .d
11371D source file
11372
11373@item .m
11374Objective-C source file
11375
11376@item .f
11377@itemx .F
11378Fortran source file
11379
11380@item .mod
11381Modula-2 source file
11382
11383@item .s
11384@itemx .S
11385Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11386@value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11387@end table
11388
11389In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11390extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11391
11392@node Manually
11393@subsection Setting the Working Language
11394
11395If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11396expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11397your program.
11398
11399@kindex set language
11400If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11401command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11402a language, such as
11403@code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11404For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11405
11406Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11407language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11408to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11409source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11410languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11411source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11412command such as:
11413
11414@smallexample
11415print a = b + c
11416@end smallexample
11417
11418@noindent
11419might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11420@code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11421printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11422@code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11423
11424@node Automatically
11425@subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11426
11427To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11428@samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11429then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11430frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11431working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11432frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11433or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11434does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11435not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11436
11437This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11438entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11439written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11440a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11441case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11442
11443@node Show
11444@section Displaying the Language
11445
11446The following commands help you find out which language is the
11447working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11448
11449@table @code
11450@item show language
11451@kindex show language
11452Display the current working language. This is the
11453language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11454build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11455
11456@item info frame
11457@kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11458Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11459working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11460@xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11461information listed here.
11462
11463@item info source
11464@kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11465Display the source language of this source file.
11466@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11467information listed here.
11468@end table
11469
11470In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11471not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11472with a language explicitly:
11473
11474@table @code
11475@item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11476@kindex set extension-language
11477Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11478assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11479
11480@item info extensions
11481@kindex info extensions
11482List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11483@end table
11484
11485@node Checks
11486@section Type and Range Checking
11487
11488@quotation
11489@emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11490checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11491section documents the intended facilities.
11492@end quotation
11493@c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11494
11495Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11496errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11497checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11498sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11499these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11500by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11501errors when your program is running.
11502
11503@value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11504Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11505it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11506evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11507working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11508automatically based on your program's source language.
11509@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11510settings of supported languages.
11511
11512@menu
11513* Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11514* Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11515@end menu
11516
11517@cindex type checking
11518@cindex checks, type
11519@node Type Checking
11520@subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11521
11522Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11523arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11524otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11525errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11526
11527@smallexample
115281 + 2 @result{} 3
11529@exdent but
11530@error{} 1 + 2.3
11531@end smallexample
11532
11533The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11534type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11535
11536For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11537@value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11538to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11539or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11540but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11541these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11542also issues a warning.
11543
11544Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11545related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11546For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11547a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11548with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11549the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11550
11551Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11552instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11553operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11554represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11555operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11556details on specific languages.
11557
11558@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11559
11560@kindex set check type
11561@kindex show check type
11562@table @code
11563@item set check type auto
11564Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11565@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11566each language.
11567
11568@item set check type on
11569@itemx set check type off
11570Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11571current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11572match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11573evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11574message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11575
11576@item set check type warn
11577Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11578evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11579be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11580numbers and structures.
11581
11582@item show type
11583Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11584is setting it automatically.
11585@end table
11586
11587@cindex range checking
11588@cindex checks, range
11589@node Range Checking
11590@subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11591
11592In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11593bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11594checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11595computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11596not exceed the bounds of the array.
11597
11598For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11599@value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11600always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11601warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11602
11603A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11604array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11605of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11606error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11607result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11608the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11609
11610@smallexample
11611@var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11612@end smallexample
11613
11614This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11615specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11616Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11617
11618@value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11619
11620@kindex set check range
11621@kindex show check range
11622@table @code
11623@item set check range auto
11624Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11625@xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11626each language.
11627
11628@item set check range on
11629@itemx set check range off
11630Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11631current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11632match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11633then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11634
11635@item set check range warn
11636Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11637but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11638expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11639memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11640systems).
11641
11642@item show range
11643Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11644being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11645@end table
11646
11647@node Supported Languages
11648@section Supported Languages
11649
11650@value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11651assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11652@c This is false ...
11653Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11654language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11655and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11656,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11657language.
11658
11659The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11660supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11661tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11662@value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11663formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11664books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11665language reference or tutorial.
11666
11667@menu
11668* C:: C and C@t{++}
11669* D:: D
11670* Objective-C:: Objective-C
11671* OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11672* Fortran:: Fortran
11673* Pascal:: Pascal
11674* Modula-2:: Modula-2
11675* Ada:: Ada
11676@end menu
11677
11678@node C
11679@subsection C and C@t{++}
11680
11681@cindex C and C@t{++}
11682@cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11683
11684Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11685to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11686together.
11687
11688@cindex C@t{++}
11689@cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11690@cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11691The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11692compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11693effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11694C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11695compiler (@code{aCC}).
11696
11697For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11698format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11699format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11700command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11701@xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11702gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11703
11704@menu
11705* C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11706* C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11707* C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11708* C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11709* C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11710* Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11711* Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11712* Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11713@end menu
11714
11715@node C Operators
11716@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11717
11718@cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11719
11720Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11721@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11722often defined on groups of types.
11723
11724For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11725
11726@itemize @bullet
11727
11728@item
11729@emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11730specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11731
11732@item
11733@emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11734@code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11735
11736@item
11737@emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11738
11739@item
11740@emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11741
11742@end itemize
11743
11744@noindent
11745The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11746in order of increasing precedence:
11747
11748@table @code
11749@item ,
11750The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11751are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11752expression being the last expression evaluated.
11753
11754@item =
11755Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11756assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11757
11758@item @var{op}=
11759Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11760and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11761@w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11762@var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11763@code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11764
11765@item ?:
11766The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11767of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11768integral type.
11769
11770@item ||
11771Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11772
11773@item &&
11774Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11775
11776@item |
11777Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11778
11779@item ^
11780Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11781
11782@item &
11783Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11784
11785@item ==@r{, }!=
11786Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11787expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11788
11789@item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11790Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11791Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11792and non-zero for true.
11793
11794@item <<@r{, }>>
11795left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11796
11797@item @@
11798The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11799
11800@item +@r{, }-
11801Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11802pointer types.
11803
11804@item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11805Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11806defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11807integral types.
11808
11809@item ++@r{, }--
11810Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11811operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11812when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11813operation takes place.
11814
11815@item *
11816Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11817@code{++}.
11818
11819@item &
11820Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11821
11822For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11823allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11824to examine the address
11825where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11826stored.
11827
11828@item -
11829Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11830precedence as @code{++}.
11831
11832@item !
11833Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11834@code{++}.
11835
11836@item ~
11837Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11838@code{++}.
11839
11840
11841@item .@r{, }->
11842Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11843@value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11844pointer based on the stored type information.
11845Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11846
11847@item .*@r{, }->*
11848Dereferences of pointers to members.
11849
11850@item []
11851Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11852@code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11853
11854@item ()
11855Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11856
11857@item ::
11858C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11859and @code{class} types.
11860
11861@item ::
11862Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11863(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11864above.
11865@end table
11866
11867If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11868attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11869predefined meaning.
11870
11871@node C Constants
11872@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11873
11874@cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11875
11876@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11877following ways:
11878
11879@itemize @bullet
11880@item
11881Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11882specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11883by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11884@samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11885@code{long} value.
11886
11887@item
11888Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11889point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11890exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11891@samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11892sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11893A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11894@samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11895the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11896a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11897constant.
11898
11899@item
11900Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11901integral equivalents.
11902
11903@item
11904Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11905(@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11906(usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11907be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11908the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11909of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11910@samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11911@samp{\n} for newline.
11912
11913@item
11914String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11915double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11916above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11917a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11918characters.
11919
11920@item
11921Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11922to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11923
11924@item
11925Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11926and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11927integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11928and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11929@end itemize
11930
11931@node C Plus Plus Expressions
11932@subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11933
11934@cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11935@value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11936
11937@cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11938@cindex C@t{++} compilers
11939@cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11940@cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11941@quotation
11942@emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11943proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11944works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11945@value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11946@option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11947stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11948stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11949specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11950are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11951C@t{++} code.
11952@end quotation
11953
11954@enumerate
11955
11956@cindex member functions
11957@item
11958Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11959
11960@smallexample
11961count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11962@end smallexample
11963
11964@vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11965@cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11966@item
11967While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11968expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11969that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11970pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11971
11972@cindex call overloaded functions
11973@cindex overloaded functions, calling
11974@cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11975@item
11976You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11977call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11978perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11979calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11980in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11981default arguments.
11982
11983It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11984promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11985class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11986functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11987number of function arguments.
11988
11989Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11990@code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11991,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11992
11993You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11994explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11995@smallexample
11996p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11997@end smallexample
11998
11999The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12000see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12001
12002@cindex reference declarations
12003@item
12004@value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12005them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12006dereferenced.
12007
12008In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12009reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12010avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12011The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12012you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12013
12014@item
12015@value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12016expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12017one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12018necessary, for example in an expression like
12019@samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12020resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12021debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12022@end enumerate
12023
12024In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12025calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12026objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12027invoking user-defined operators.
12028
12029@node C Defaults
12030@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12031
12032@cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12033
12034If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12035both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12036C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12037selects the working language.
12038
12039If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12040recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12041@file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12042these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12043@xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12044for further details.
12045
12046@c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12047@c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12048@c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12049
12050@node C Checks
12051@subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12052
12053@cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12054
12055By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12056is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12057considers two variables type equivalent if:
12058
12059@itemize @bullet
12060@item
12061The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12062enumerated tag.
12063
12064@item
12065The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12066declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12067
12068@ignore
12069@c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12070@c FIXME--beers?
12071@item
12072The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12073declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12074compilers.)
12075@end ignore
12076@end itemize
12077
12078Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12079indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12080that is not itself an array.
12081
12082@node Debugging C
12083@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12084
12085The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12086the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12087inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12088appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12089
12090The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12091with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12092,Expressions}.
12093
12094@node Debugging C Plus Plus
12095@subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12096
12097@cindex commands for C@t{++}
12098
12099Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12100designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12101
12102@table @code
12103@cindex break in overloaded functions
12104@item @r{breakpoint menus}
12105When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12106@value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12107locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12108@xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12109
12110@cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12111@item rbreak @var{regex}
12112Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12113breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12114classes.
12115@xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12116
12117@cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12118@item catch throw
12119@itemx catch catch
12120Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12121Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12122
12123@cindex inheritance
12124@item ptype @var{typename}
12125Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12126@var{typename}.
12127@xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12128
12129@cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12130@item set print demangle
12131@itemx show print demangle
12132@itemx set print asm-demangle
12133@itemx show print asm-demangle
12134Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12135displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12136@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12137
12138@item set print object
12139@itemx show print object
12140Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12141@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12142
12143@item set print vtbl
12144@itemx show print vtbl
12145Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12146@xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12147(The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12148ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12149
12150@kindex set overload-resolution
12151@cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12152@item set overload-resolution on
12153Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12154is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12155and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12156using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12157Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12158If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12159
12160@item set overload-resolution off
12161Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12162overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12163chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12164symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12165overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12166searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12167argument types.
12168
12169@kindex show overload-resolution
12170@item show overload-resolution
12171Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12172
12173@item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12174You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12175the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12176@code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12177also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12178available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12179@xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12180@end table
12181
12182@node Decimal Floating Point
12183@subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12184@cindex decimal floating point format
12185
12186@value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12187decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12188@code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12189specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12190
12191There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12192Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12193PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12194target.
12195
12196Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12197to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12198(using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12199
12200In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12201point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12202underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12203
12204In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12205to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12206See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12207
12208@node D
12209@subsection D
12210
12211@cindex D
12212@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12213GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12214specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12215
12216@node Objective-C
12217@subsection Objective-C
12218
12219@cindex Objective-C
12220This section provides information about some commands and command
12221options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12222@ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12223few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12224
12225@menu
12226* Method Names in Commands::
12227* The Print Command with Objective-C::
12228@end menu
12229
12230@node Method Names in Commands
12231@subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12232
12233The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12234names as line specifications:
12235
12236@kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12237@kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12238@kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12239@kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12240@kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12241@itemize
12242@item @code{clear}
12243@item @code{break}
12244@item @code{info line}
12245@item @code{jump}
12246@item @code{list}
12247@end itemize
12248
12249A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12250
12251@smallexample
12252-[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12253@end smallexample
12254
12255where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12256plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12257name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12258brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12259source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12260instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12261debugged, enter:
12262
12263@smallexample
12264break -[Fruit create]
12265@end smallexample
12266
12267To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12268enter:
12269
12270@smallexample
12271list +[NSText initialize]
12272@end smallexample
12273
12274In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12275required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12276sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12277is also possible to specify just a method name:
12278
12279@smallexample
12280break create
12281@end smallexample
12282
12283You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12284your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12285you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12286method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12287none apply.
12288
12289As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12290@code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12291
12292@smallexample
12293clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12294@end smallexample
12295
12296@node The Print Command with Objective-C
12297@subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12298@cindex Objective-C, print objects
12299@kindex print-object
12300@kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12301
12302The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12303
12304@smallexample
12305print -[@var{object} hash]
12306@end smallexample
12307
12308@cindex print an Objective-C object description
12309@cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12310@noindent
12311will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12312and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12313@code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12314the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12315with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12316function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12317
12318@node OpenCL C
12319@subsection OpenCL C
12320
12321@cindex OpenCL C
12322This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12323
12324@menu
12325* OpenCL C Datatypes::
12326* OpenCL C Expressions::
12327* OpenCL C Operators::
12328@end menu
12329
12330@node OpenCL C Datatypes
12331@subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12332
12333@cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12334@value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12335by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12336data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12337extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12338
12339@node OpenCL C Expressions
12340@subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12341
12342@cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12343@value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12344lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12345supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12346
12347@node OpenCL C Operators
12348@subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12349
12350@cindex OpenCL C Operators
12351@value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12352vector data types.
12353
12354@node Fortran
12355@subsection Fortran
12356@cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12357
12358@value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12359currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12360
12361@cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12362Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12363among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12364functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12365will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12366underscore.
12367
12368@menu
12369* Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12370* Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12371* Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12372@end menu
12373
12374@node Fortran Operators
12375@subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12376
12377@cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12378
12379Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12380@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12381arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12382
12383@table @code
12384@item **
12385The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12386of the second one.
12387
12388@item :
12389The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12390represent a section of array.
12391
12392@item %
12393The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12394types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12395this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12396union type.
12397@end table
12398
12399@node Fortran Defaults
12400@subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12401
12402@cindex Fortran Defaults
12403
12404Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12405default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12406change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12407@ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12408
12409@node Special Fortran Commands
12410@subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12411
12412@cindex Special Fortran commands
12413
12414@value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12415such as displaying common blocks.
12416
12417@table @code
12418@cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12419@kindex info common
12420@item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12421This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12422block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12423all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12424printed.
12425@end table
12426
12427@node Pascal
12428@subsection Pascal
12429
12430@cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12431Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12432nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12433entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12434syntax.
12435
12436The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12437controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12438@xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12439
12440@node Modula-2
12441@subsection Modula-2
12442
12443@cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12444
12445The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12446output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12447developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12448attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12449to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12450table.
12451
12452@cindex expressions in Modula-2
12453@menu
12454* M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12455* Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12456* M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12457* M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12458* M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12459* Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12460* M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12461* M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12462* GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12463@end menu
12464
12465@node M2 Operators
12466@subsubsection Operators
12467@cindex Modula-2 operators
12468
12469Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12470@code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12471often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12472following definitions hold:
12473
12474@itemize @bullet
12475
12476@item
12477@emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12478their subranges.
12479
12480@item
12481@emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12482
12483@item
12484@emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12485
12486@item
12487@emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12488@var{type}}.
12489
12490@item
12491@emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12492
12493@item
12494@emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12495
12496@item
12497@emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12498@end itemize
12499
12500@noindent
12501The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12502increasing precedence:
12503
12504@table @code
12505@item ,
12506Function argument or array index separator.
12507
12508@item :=
12509Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12510@var{value}.
12511
12512@item <@r{, }>
12513Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12514types.
12515
12516@item <=@r{, }>=
12517Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12518on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12519set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12520
12521@item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12522Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12523Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12524available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12525comment character.
12526
12527@item IN
12528Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12529Same precedence as @code{<}.
12530
12531@item OR
12532Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12533
12534@item AND@r{, }&
12535Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12536
12537@item @@
12538The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12539
12540@item +@r{, }-
12541Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12542and difference on set types.
12543
12544@item *
12545Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12546on set types.
12547
12548@item /
12549Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12550types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12551
12552@item DIV@r{, }MOD
12553Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12554precedence as @code{*}.
12555
12556@item -
12557Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12558
12559@item ^
12560Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12561
12562@item NOT
12563Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12564@code{^}.
12565
12566@item .
12567@code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12568precedence as @code{^}.
12569
12570@item []
12571Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12572
12573@item ()
12574Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12575as @code{^}.
12576
12577@item ::@r{, }.
12578@value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12579@end table
12580
12581@quotation
12582@emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12583treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12584@code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12585@code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12586@end quotation
12587
12588
12589@node Built-In Func/Proc
12590@subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12591@cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12592
12593Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12594In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12595
12596@table @var
12597
12598@item a
12599represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12600
12601@item c
12602represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12603
12604@item i
12605represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12606
12607@item m
12608represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12609same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12610be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12611
12612@item n
12613represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12614
12615@item r
12616represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12617
12618@item t
12619represents a type.
12620
12621@item v
12622represents a variable.
12623
12624@item x
12625represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12626explanation of the function for details.
12627@end table
12628
12629All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12630
12631@table @code
12632@item ABS(@var{n})
12633Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12634
12635@item CAP(@var{c})
12636If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12637equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12638
12639@item CHR(@var{i})
12640Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12641
12642@item DEC(@var{v})
12643Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12644
12645@item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12646Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12647new value.
12648
12649@item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12650Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12651set.
12652
12653@item FLOAT(@var{i})
12654Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12655
12656@item HIGH(@var{a})
12657Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12658
12659@item INC(@var{v})
12660Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12661
12662@item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12663Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12664new value.
12665
12666@item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12667Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12668there. Returns the new set.
12669
12670@item MAX(@var{t})
12671Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12672
12673@item MIN(@var{t})
12674Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12675
12676@item ODD(@var{i})
12677Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12678
12679@item ORD(@var{x})
12680Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12681value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12682@sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12683integral, character and enumerated types.
12684
12685@item SIZE(@var{x})
12686Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12687
12688@item TRUNC(@var{r})
12689Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12690
12691@item TSIZE(@var{x})
12692Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12693
12694@item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12695Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12696@end table
12697
12698@quotation
12699@emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12700@value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12701an error.
12702@end quotation
12703
12704@cindex Modula-2 constants
12705@node M2 Constants
12706@subsubsection Constants
12707
12708@value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12709ways:
12710
12711@itemize @bullet
12712
12713@item
12714Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12715expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12716rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12717trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12718
12719@item
12720Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12721decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12722then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12723@samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12724digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12725digits.
12726
12727@item
12728Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12729like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12730also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12731followed by a @samp{C}.
12732
12733@item
12734String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12735pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12736Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12737Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12738sequences.
12739
12740@item
12741Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12742
12743@item
12744Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12745@code{FALSE}.
12746
12747@item
12748Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12749
12750@item
12751Set constants are not yet supported.
12752@end itemize
12753
12754@node M2 Types
12755@subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12756@cindex Modula-2 types
12757
12758Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12759syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12760types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12761print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12762This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12763sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12764
12765The first example contains the following section of code:
12766
12767@smallexample
12768VAR
12769 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12770 r: [20..40] ;
12771@end smallexample
12772
12773@noindent
12774and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12775@code{r} and @code{s}.
12776
12777@smallexample
12778(@value{GDBP}) print s
12779@{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12780(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12781SET OF CHAR
12782(@value{GDBP}) print r
1278321
12784(@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12785[20..40]
12786@end smallexample
12787
12788@noindent
12789Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12790
12791@smallexample
12792VAR
12793 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12794@end smallexample
12795
12796@noindent
12797then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12798
12799@smallexample
12800(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12801type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12802@end smallexample
12803
12804@noindent
12805Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12806expressions using the debugger.
12807
12808The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12809and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12810
12811@smallexample
12812VAR
12813 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12814@end smallexample
12815
12816@smallexample
12817(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12818ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12819@end smallexample
12820
12821Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12822is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12823arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12824above.
12825
12826Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12827
12828@smallexample
12829TYPE
12830 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12831 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12832VAR
12833 s: t ;
12834BEGIN
12835 s := blue ;
12836@end smallexample
12837
12838@noindent
12839The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12840and value of a variable.
12841
12842@smallexample
12843(@value{GDBP}) print s
12844$1 = blue
12845(@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12846type = [blue..yellow]
12847@end smallexample
12848
12849@noindent
12850In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12851displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12852their @code{C} counterparts.
12853
12854@smallexample
12855VAR
12856 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12857BEGIN
12858 s[1] := 1 ;
12859@end smallexample
12860
12861@smallexample
12862(@value{GDBP}) print s
12863$1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12864(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12865type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12866@end smallexample
12867
12868The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12869pointer types as shown in this example:
12870
12871@smallexample
12872VAR
12873 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12874BEGIN
12875 NEW(s) ;
12876 s^[1] := 1 ;
12877@end smallexample
12878
12879@noindent
12880and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12881
12882@smallexample
12883(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12884type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12885@end smallexample
12886
12887@value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12888Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12889types:
12890
12891@smallexample
12892TYPE
12893 foo = RECORD
12894 f1: CARDINAL ;
12895 f2: CHAR ;
12896 f3: myarray ;
12897 END ;
12898
12899 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12900 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12901VAR
12902 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12903@end smallexample
12904
12905@noindent
12906and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12907below.
12908
12909@smallexample
12910(@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12911type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12912 f1 : CARDINAL;
12913 f2 : CHAR;
12914 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12915END
12916@end smallexample
12917
12918@node M2 Defaults
12919@subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12920@cindex Modula-2 defaults
12921
12922If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12923both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12924Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12925selected the working language.
12926
12927If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12928code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12929working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12930Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12931
12932@node Deviations
12933@subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12934@cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12935
12936A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12937This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12938
12939@itemize @bullet
12940@item
12941Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12942integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12943debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12944pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12945through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12946returned a pointer.)
12947
12948@item
12949C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12950non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12951escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12952printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12953
12954@item
12955The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12956argument.
12957
12958@item
12959All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12960@end itemize
12961
12962@node M2 Checks
12963@subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12964@cindex Modula-2 checks
12965
12966@quotation
12967@emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12968range checking.
12969@end quotation
12970@c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12971
12972@value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12973
12974@itemize @bullet
12975@item
12976They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12977@var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12978
12979@item
12980They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12981@sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12982@end itemize
12983
12984As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12985whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12986
12987Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12988index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12989
12990@node M2 Scope
12991@subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12992@cindex scope
12993@cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12994@cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12995@ifinfo
12996@vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12997@c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12998@end ifinfo
12999@ifnotinfo
13000@vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13001@end ifnotinfo
13002
13003There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13004(@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13005similar syntax:
13006
13007@smallexample
13008
13009@var{module} . @var{id}
13010@var{scope} :: @var{id}
13011@end smallexample
13012
13013@noindent
13014where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13015@var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13016identifier within your program, except another module.
13017
13018Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13019specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13020found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13021enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13022
13023Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13024the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13025definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13026an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13027module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13028@var{module}.
13029
13030@node GDB/M2
13031@subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13032
13033Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13034Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13035specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13036@samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13037apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13038analogue in Modula-2.
13039
13040The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13041with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13042intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13043created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13044address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13045@samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13046
13047@cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13048In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13049interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13050
13051@node Ada
13052@subsection Ada
13053@cindex Ada
13054
13055The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13056output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13057Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13058attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13059to be difficult.
13060
13061
13062@cindex expressions in Ada
13063@menu
13064* Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13065 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13066 in @value{GDBN}.
13067* Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13068* Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13069* Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13070* Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13071* Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13072* Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13073 Profile
13074* Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13075@end menu
13076
13077@node Ada Mode Intro
13078@subsubsection Introduction
13079@cindex Ada mode, general
13080
13081The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13082syntax, with some extensions.
13083The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13084
13085@itemize @bullet
13086@item
13087That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13088arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13089leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13090program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13091
13092@item
13093That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13094are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13095
13096@item
13097That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13098@end itemize
13099
13100Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13101user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13102according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13103names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13104ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13105
13106The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13107As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13108was translated from an Ada source file.
13109
13110While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13111mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13112(@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13113middle (to allow based literals).
13114
13115The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13116the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13117actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13118the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13119procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13120functions to procedures elsewhere.
13121
13122@node Omissions from Ada
13123@subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13124@cindex Ada, omissions from
13125
13126Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13127
13128@itemize @bullet
13129@item
13130Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13131
13132@itemize @minus
13133@item
13134@t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13135 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13136
13137@item
13138@t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13139
13140@item
13141@t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13142
13143@item
13144@t{'Tag}.
13145
13146@item
13147@t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13148operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13149
13150@item
13151@t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13152@t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13153
13154@item
13155@t{'Address}.
13156@end itemize
13157
13158@item
13159The names in
13160@code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13161concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13162not currently available.
13163
13164@item
13165Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13166equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13167for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13168They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13169types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13170(in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13171zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13172indeterminate values.
13173
13174@item
13175The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13176@code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13177are not implemented.
13178
13179@item
13180@cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13181@cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13182@cindex aggregates (Ada)
13183There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13184permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13185
13186@smallexample
13187(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13188(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13189(@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13190(@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13191(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13192(@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13193@end smallexample
13194
13195Changing a
13196discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13197undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13198However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13199them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13200aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13201declared to have a type such as:
13202
13203@smallexample
13204type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13205 Id : Integer;
13206 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13207end record;
13208@end smallexample
13209
13210you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13211assignments:
13212
13213@smallexample
13214(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13215(@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13216@end smallexample
13217
13218As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13219rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13220components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13221component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13222original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13223indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13224redundant component associations, although which component values are
13225assigned in such cases is not defined.
13226
13227@item
13228Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13229
13230@item
13231The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13232than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13233which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13234looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13235function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13236the proper resolution.
13237
13238@item
13239The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13240
13241@item
13242Entry calls are not implemented.
13243
13244@item
13245Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13246formats are not supported.
13247
13248@item
13249It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13250
13251@item
13252The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13253are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13254context.
13255Should your program
13256redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13257you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13258@end itemize
13259
13260@node Additions to Ada
13261@subsubsection Additions to Ada
13262@cindex Ada, deviations from
13263
13264As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13265extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13266
13267@itemize @bullet
13268@item
13269If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13270a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13271then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13272@var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13273Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13274in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13275Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13276which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13277
13278@item
13279@code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13280appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13281you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13282
13283@item
13284The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13285@var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13286
13287@item
13288A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13289(@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13290@end itemize
13291
13292In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13293additions specific to Ada:
13294
13295@itemize @bullet
13296@item
13297The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13298its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13299
13300@smallexample
13301(@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13302(@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13303@end smallexample
13304
13305@item
13306The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13307the value of its right-hand operand.
13308This allows, for example,
13309complex conditional breaks:
13310
13311@smallexample
13312(@value{GDBP}) break f
13313(@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13314@end smallexample
13315
13316@item
13317Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13318characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13319which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13320@samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13321(single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13322sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13323in strings. For example,
13324@smallexample
13325 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13326@end smallexample
13327@noindent
13328contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13329after each period.
13330
13331@item
13332The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13333@t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13334to write
13335
13336@smallexample
13337(@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13338@end smallexample
13339
13340@item
13341When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13342array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13343For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13344of 3 might print as
13345
13346@smallexample
13347(3 => 10, 17, 1)
13348@end smallexample
13349
13350@noindent
13351That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13352clause.
13353
13354@item
13355You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13356multi-character subsequence of
13357their names (an exact match gets preference).
13358For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13359in place of @t{a'length}.
13360
13361@item
13362@cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13363Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13364to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13365some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13366For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13367enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13368For example,
13369@smallexample
13370(@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13371@end smallexample
13372
13373@item
13374Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13375access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13376specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13377selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13378object.
13379
13380@end itemize
13381
13382@node Stopping Before Main Program
13383@subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13384
13385@cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13386It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13387before reaching the main procedure.
13388As defined in the Ada Reference
13389Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13390@code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13391elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13392@code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13393
13394@node Ada Tasks
13395@subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13396@cindex Ada, tasking
13397
13398Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13399@value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13400
13401@table @code
13402@kindex info tasks
13403@item info tasks
13404This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13405
13406
13407@smallexample
13408@iftex
13409@leftskip=0.5cm
13410@end iftex
13411(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13412 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13413 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13414 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13415 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13416* 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13417
13418@end smallexample
13419
13420@noindent
13421In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13422task currently being inspected.
13423
13424@table @asis
13425@item ID
13426Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13427
13428@item TID
13429The Ada task ID.
13430
13431@item P-ID
13432The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13433
13434@item Pri
13435The base priority of the task.
13436
13437@item State
13438Current state of the task.
13439
13440@table @code
13441@item Unactivated
13442The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13443executing.
13444
13445@item Runnable
13446The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13447for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13448
13449@item Terminated
13450The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13451that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13452terminated themselves.
13453
13454@item Child Activation Wait
13455The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13456
13457@item Accept Statement
13458The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13459
13460@item Waiting on entry call
13461The task is waiting on an entry call.
13462
13463@item Async Select Wait
13464The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13465select statement.
13466
13467@item Delay Sleep
13468The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13469alternative open.
13470
13471@item Child Termination Wait
13472The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13473waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13474waiting on a terminate Phase.
13475
13476@item Wait Child in Term Alt
13477The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13478finish terminating.
13479
13480@item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13481The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13482@end table
13483
13484@item Name
13485Name of the task in the program.
13486
13487@end table
13488
13489@kindex info task @var{taskno}
13490@item info task @var{taskno}
13491This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13492the following example:
13493@smallexample
13494@iftex
13495@leftskip=0.5cm
13496@end iftex
13497(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13498 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13499 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13500* 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13501(@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13502Ada Task: 0x807c468
13503Name: task_1
13504Thread: 0x807f378
13505Parent: 1 (main_task)
13506Base Priority: 15
13507State: Runnable
13508@end smallexample
13509
13510@item task
13511@kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13512@cindex current Ada task ID
13513This command prints the ID of the current task.
13514
13515@smallexample
13516@iftex
13517@leftskip=0.5cm
13518@end iftex
13519(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13520 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13521 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13522* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13523(@value{GDBP}) task
13524[Current task is 2]
13525@end smallexample
13526
13527@item task @var{taskno}
13528@cindex Ada task switching
13529This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13530command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13531from the current task to the given task.
13532
13533@smallexample
13534@iftex
13535@leftskip=0.5cm
13536@end iftex
13537(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13538 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13539 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13540* 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13541(@value{GDBP}) task 1
13542[Switching to task 1]
13543#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13544(@value{GDBP}) bt
13545#0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13546#1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13547#2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13548#3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13549#4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13550@end smallexample
13551
13552@item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13553@itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13554@cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13555@cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13556@kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13557These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13558command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13559@var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13560in @ref{Specify Location}.
13561
13562Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13563to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13564particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13565numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13566column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13567
13568If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13569breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13570program.
13571
13572You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13573well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13574breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13575
13576For example,
13577
13578@smallexample
13579@iftex
13580@leftskip=0.5cm
13581@end iftex
13582(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13583 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13584 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13585 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13586 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13587* 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13588(@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13589Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13590(@value{GDBP}) cont
13591Continuing.
13592task # 1 running
13593task # 2 running
13594
13595Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
1359615 flush;
13597(@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13598 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13599 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13600* 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13601 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13602 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13603@end smallexample
13604@end table
13605
13606@node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13607@subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13608@cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13609
13610When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13611tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13612the platform being used.
13613For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13614switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13615as usual.
13616
13617On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13618memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13619a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13620privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13621Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13622file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13623
13624@node Ravenscar Profile
13625@subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13626@cindex Ravenscar Profile
13627
13628The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13629specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13630requirements.
13631
13632@table @code
13633@kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13634@cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13635@item set ravenscar task-switching on
13636Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13637Profile. This is the default.
13638
13639@kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13640@item set ravenscar task-switching off
13641Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13642Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13643for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13644the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13645To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13646
13647@kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13648@item show ravenscar task-switching
13649Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13650using the Ravenscar Profile.
13651
13652@end table
13653
13654@node Ada Glitches
13655@subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13656@cindex Ada, problems
13657
13658Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13659we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13660@value{GDBN},
13661some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13662and the GNU Ada compiler.
13663
13664@itemize @bullet
13665@item
13666Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13667storage are invisible to the debugger.
13668
13669@item
13670Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13671argument lists are treated as positional).
13672
13673@item
13674Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13675
13676@item
13677Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13678floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13679the host machine.
13680
13681@item
13682The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13683the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13684this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13685look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13686symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13687defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13688local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13689GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13690you can usually resolve the confusion
13691by qualifying the problematic names with package
13692@code{Standard} explicitly.
13693@end itemize
13694
13695Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13696information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13697of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13698around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13699to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13700enabled.
13701
13702@kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13703@kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13704@table @code
13705
13706@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13707Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13708value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13709types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13710a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13711This is the default.
13712
13713@item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13714This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13715sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13716trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13717the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13718@code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13719recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13720
13721@end table
13722
13723@node Unsupported Languages
13724@section Unsupported Languages
13725
13726@cindex unsupported languages
13727@cindex minimal language
13728In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13729@value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13730It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13731of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13732This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13733an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13734
13735If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13736select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13737language.
13738
13739@node Symbols
13740@chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13741
13742The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13743symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13744program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13745does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13746program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13747(@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13748file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13749
13750@cindex symbol names
13751@cindex names of symbols
13752@cindex quoting names
13753Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13754characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13755most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13756source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13757are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13758ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13759@samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13760@samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13761
13762@smallexample
13763p 'foo.c'::x
13764@end smallexample
13765
13766@noindent
13767looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13768
13769@table @code
13770@cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13771@cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13772@kindex set case-sensitive
13773@item set case-sensitive on
13774@itemx set case-sensitive off
13775@itemx set case-sensitive auto
13776Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13777with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13778Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13779case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13780case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13781you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13782suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13783matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13784case-insensitive matches.
13785
13786@kindex show case-sensitive
13787@item show case-sensitive
13788This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13789lookups.
13790
13791@kindex info address
13792@cindex address of a symbol
13793@item info address @var{symbol}
13794Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13795variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13796local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13797is always stored.
13798
13799Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13800at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13801the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13802
13803@kindex info symbol
13804@cindex symbol from address
13805@cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13806@item info symbol @var{addr}
13807Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13808If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13809nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13810
13811@smallexample
13812(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13813_initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13814@end smallexample
13815
13816@noindent
13817This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13818it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13819
13820For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13821library containing the symbol is also printed:
13822
13823@smallexample
13824(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13825_start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13826(@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13827__read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13828@end smallexample
13829
13830@kindex whatis
13831@item whatis [@var{arg}]
13832Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13833a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13834last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13835not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13836assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13837@var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13838for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13839@samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13840@samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13841@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13842
13843@kindex ptype
13844@item ptype [@var{arg}]
13845@code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13846detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13847@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13848
13849For example, for this variable declaration:
13850
13851@smallexample
13852struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13853@end smallexample
13854
13855@noindent
13856the two commands give this output:
13857
13858@smallexample
13859@group
13860(@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13861type = struct complex
13862(@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13863type = struct complex @{
13864 double real;
13865 double imag;
13866@}
13867@end group
13868@end smallexample
13869
13870@noindent
13871As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13872the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13873
13874@cindex incomplete type
13875Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13876of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13877program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13878the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13879given these declarations:
13880
13881@smallexample
13882 struct foo;
13883 struct foo *fooptr;
13884@end smallexample
13885
13886@noindent
13887but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13888
13889@smallexample
13890 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13891 $1 = <incomplete type>
13892@end smallexample
13893
13894@noindent
13895``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13896completely specified.
13897
13898@kindex info types
13899@item info types @var{regexp}
13900@itemx info types
13901Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13902expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13903no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13904complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13905types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13906@samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13907name is @code{value}.
13908
13909This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13910@code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13911lists all source files where a type is defined.
13912
13913@kindex info scope
13914@cindex local variables
13915@item info scope @var{location}
13916List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13917accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13918an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13919to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13920details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13921
13922@smallexample
13923(@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13924Scope for command_line_handler:
13925Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13926Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13927Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13928Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13929Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13930Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13931Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13932@end smallexample
13933
13934@noindent
13935This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13936during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13937collect}.
13938
13939@kindex info source
13940@item info source
13941Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13942the function containing the current point of execution:
13943@itemize @bullet
13944@item
13945the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13946@item
13947the directory it was compiled in,
13948@item
13949its length, in lines,
13950@item
13951which programming language it is written in,
13952@item
13953whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13954if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13955@item
13956whether the debugging information includes information about
13957preprocessor macros.
13958@end itemize
13959
13960
13961@kindex info sources
13962@item info sources
13963Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13964debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13965have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13966
13967@kindex info functions
13968@item info functions
13969Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13970
13971@item info functions @var{regexp}
13972Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13973whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13974Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13975include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13976start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13977that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13978@samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13979
13980@kindex info variables
13981@item info variables
13982Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13983outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13984
13985@item info variables @var{regexp}
13986Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13987variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13988@var{regexp}.
13989
13990@kindex info classes
13991@cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13992@item info classes
13993@itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13994Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13995(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13996expression.
13997
13998@kindex info selectors
13999@item info selectors
14000@itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14001Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14002(with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14003expression.
14004
14005@ignore
14006This was never implemented.
14007@kindex info methods
14008@item info methods
14009@itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14010The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14011methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14012specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14013C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14014from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14015@code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14016which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14017@end ignore
14018
14019@cindex reloading symbols
14020Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14021be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14022in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14023running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14024@value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14025
14026@table @code
14027@kindex set symbol-reloading
14028@item set symbol-reloading on
14029Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14030object file with a particular name is seen again.
14031
14032@item set symbol-reloading off
14033Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14034same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14035running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14036should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14037may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14038several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14039name.
14040
14041@kindex show symbol-reloading
14042@item show symbol-reloading
14043Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14044@end table
14045
14046@cindex opaque data types
14047@kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14048@item set opaque-type-resolution on
14049Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14050declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14051@code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14052source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14053another source file. The default is on.
14054
14055A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14056the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14057
14058@item set opaque-type-resolution off
14059Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14060is printed as follows:
14061@smallexample
14062@{<no data fields>@}
14063@end smallexample
14064
14065@kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14066@item show opaque-type-resolution
14067Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14068
14069@kindex maint print symbols
14070@cindex symbol dump
14071@kindex maint print psymbols
14072@cindex partial symbol dump
14073@item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14074@itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14075@itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14076Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14077These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14078symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14079symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14080collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14081only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14082command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14083use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14084symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14085files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14086@samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14087required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14088@xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14089@value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14090
14091@kindex maint info symtabs
14092@kindex maint info psymtabs
14093@cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14094@cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14095@cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14096@cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14097@item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14098@itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14099
14100List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14101structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14102given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14103copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14104structure in more detail. For example:
14105
14106@smallexample
14107(@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14108@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14109 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14110 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14111 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14112 readin no
14113 fullname (null)
14114 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14115 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14116 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14117 dependencies (none)
14118 @}
14119@}
14120(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14121(@value{GDBP})
14122@end smallexample
14123@noindent
14124We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14125the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14126and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14127If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14128read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14129
14130@smallexample
14131(@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14132Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14133line 1574.
14134(@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14135@{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14136 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14137 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14138 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14139 dirname (null)
14140 fullname (null)
14141 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14142 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14143 debugformat DWARF 2
14144 @}
14145@}
14146(@value{GDBP})
14147@end smallexample
14148@end table
14149
14150
14151@node Altering
14152@chapter Altering Execution
14153
14154Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14155find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14156correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14157experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14158program.
14159
14160For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14161locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14162address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14163
14164@menu
14165* Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14166* Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14167* Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14168* Returning:: Returning from a function
14169* Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14170* Patching:: Patching your program
14171@end menu
14172
14173@node Assignment
14174@section Assignment to Variables
14175
14176@cindex assignment
14177@cindex setting variables
14178To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14179@xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14180
14181@smallexample
14182print x=4
14183@end smallexample
14184
14185@noindent
14186stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14187value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14188@xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14189information on operators in supported languages.
14190
14191@kindex set variable
14192@cindex variables, setting
14193If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14194@code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14195really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14196not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14197,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14198
14199If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14200appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14201variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14202to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14203program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14204a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14205command @code{set width}:
14206
14207@smallexample
14208(@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14209type = double
14210(@value{GDBP}) p width
14211$4 = 13
14212(@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14213Invalid syntax in expression.
14214@end smallexample
14215
14216@noindent
14217The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14218order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14219
14220@smallexample
14221(@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14222@end smallexample
14223
14224Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14225with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14226@code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14227your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14228to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14229the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14230
14231@smallexample
14232@group
14233(@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14234type = double
14235(@value{GDBP}) p g
14236$1 = 1
14237(@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14238(@value{GDBP}) p g
14239$2 = 1
14240(@value{GDBP}) r
14241The program being debugged has been started already.
14242Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14243Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14244"/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14245 Invalid bfd target.
14246(@value{GDBP}) show g
14247The current BFD target is "=4".
14248@end group
14249@end smallexample
14250
14251@noindent
14252The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14253@code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14254@code{g}, use
14255
14256@smallexample
14257(@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14258@end smallexample
14259
14260@value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14261freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14262and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14263same length or shorter.
14264@comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14265@comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14266
14267To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14268construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14269(@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14270to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14271and representation in memory), and
14272
14273@smallexample
14274set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14275@end smallexample
14276
14277@noindent
14278stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14279
14280@node Jumping
14281@section Continuing at a Different Address
14282
14283Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14284it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14285an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14286
14287@table @code
14288@kindex jump
14289@item jump @var{linespec}
14290@itemx jump @var{location}
14291Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14292@var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14293breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14294different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14295practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14296@code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14297
14298The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14299the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14300register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14301a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14302be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14303of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14304confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14305executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14306well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14307@end table
14308
14309@c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14310On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14311command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14312difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14313changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14314example,
14315
14316@smallexample
14317set $pc = 0x485
14318@end smallexample
14319
14320@noindent
14321makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14322address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14323@xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14324
14325The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14326up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14327that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14328detail.
14329
14330@c @group
14331@node Signaling
14332@section Giving your Program a Signal
14333@cindex deliver a signal to a program
14334
14335@table @code
14336@kindex signal
14337@item signal @var{signal}
14338Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14339signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14340signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14341SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14342
14343Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14344giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14345a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14346@code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14347signal.
14348
14349@code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14350after executing the command.
14351@end table
14352@c @end group
14353
14354Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14355@code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14356causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14357the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14358passes the signal directly to your program.
14359
14360
14361@node Returning
14362@section Returning from a Function
14363
14364@table @code
14365@cindex returning from a function
14366@kindex return
14367@item return
14368@itemx return @var{expression}
14369You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14370command. If you give an
14371@var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14372value.
14373@end table
14374
14375When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14376(and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14377discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14378be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14379
14380This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14381Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14382innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14383specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14384of functions.
14385
14386The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14387program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14388returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14389and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14390selected stack frame returns naturally.
14391
14392@value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14393the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14394type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14395OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14396CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14397registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14398specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14399current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14400assignment into the right register(s).
14401
14402Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14403use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14404debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14405function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14406int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14407into a @code{long long int}:
14408
14409@smallexample
14410Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
1441129 return 31;
14412(@value{GDBP}) return -1
14413Make func return now? (y or n) y
14414#0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
1441543 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14416(@value{GDBP})
14417@end smallexample
14418
14419However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14420function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14421to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14422in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14423typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14424of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14425architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14426an appropriate cast explicitly:
14427
14428@smallexample
14429Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14430(@value{GDBP}) return -1
14431Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14432Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14433(@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14434Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14435#0 0x00400526 in main ()
14436(@value{GDBP})
14437@end smallexample
14438
14439@node Calling
14440@section Calling Program Functions
14441
14442@table @code
14443@cindex calling functions
14444@cindex inferior functions, calling
14445@item print @var{expr}
14446Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14447@var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14448debugged.
14449
14450@kindex call
14451@item call @var{expr}
14452Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14453returned values.
14454
14455You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14456execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14457(a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14458with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14459print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14460value history.
14461@end table
14462
14463It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14464@code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14465the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14466in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14467
14468Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14469call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14470exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14471frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14472an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14473dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14474seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14475in that case is controlled by the
14476@code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14477
14478@table @code
14479@item set unwindonsignal
14480@kindex set unwindonsignal
14481@cindex unwind stack in called functions
14482@cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14483Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14484that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14485@value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14486the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14487default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14488received.
14489
14490@item show unwindonsignal
14491@kindex show unwindonsignal
14492Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14493@value{GDBN}.
14494
14495@item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14496@kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14497@cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14498@cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14499Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14500unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14501debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14502it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14503the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14504the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14505
14506@item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14507@kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14508Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14509@value{GDBN}.
14510
14511@end table
14512
14513@cindex weak alias functions
14514Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14515for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14516the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14517which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14518As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14519even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14520function instead.
14521
14522@node Patching
14523@section Patching Programs
14524
14525@cindex patching binaries
14526@cindex writing into executables
14527@cindex writing into corefiles
14528
14529By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14530executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14531alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14532patching your program's binary.
14533
14534If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14535explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14536want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14537repairs.
14538
14539@table @code
14540@kindex set write
14541@item set write on
14542@itemx set write off
14543If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14544core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14545off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14546
14547If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14548@code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14549write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14550
14551@item show write
14552@kindex show write
14553Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14554as well as reading.
14555@end table
14556
14557@node GDB Files
14558@chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14559
14560@value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14561both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14562program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14563@value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14564
14565@menu
14566* Files:: Commands to specify files
14567* Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14568* Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14569* Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14570* Data Files:: GDB data files
14571@end menu
14572
14573@node Files
14574@section Commands to Specify Files
14575
14576@cindex symbol table
14577@cindex core dump file
14578
14579You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14580way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14581@value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14582Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14583
14584Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14585@value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14586specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14587via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14588Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14589new files are useful.
14590
14591@table @code
14592@cindex executable file
14593@kindex file
14594@item file @var{filename}
14595Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14596symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14597executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14598directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14599@value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14600directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14601to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14602and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14603
14604@cindex unlinked object files
14605@cindex patching object files
14606You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14607the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14608file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14609if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14610@kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14611that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14612case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14613the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14614
14615@item file
14616@code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14617has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14618
14619@kindex exec-file
14620@item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14621Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14622in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14623if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14624discard information on the executable file.
14625
14626@kindex symbol-file
14627@item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14628Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14629searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14630table and program to run from the same file.
14631
14632@code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14633program's symbol table.
14634
14635The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14636some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14637contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14638which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14639@value{GDBN}.
14640
14641@code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14642executing it once.
14643
14644When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14645understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14646generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14647other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14648Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14649using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14650optimized code.
14651
14652For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14653using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14654symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14655quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14656details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14657
14658The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14659start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14660occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14661file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14662pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14663Warnings and Messages}.)
14664
14665We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14666symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14667symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14668still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14669in stabs format.
14670
14671@kindex readnow
14672@cindex reading symbols immediately
14673@cindex symbols, reading immediately
14674@item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14675@itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14676You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14677tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14678load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14679entire symbol table available.
14680
14681@c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14682@c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14683@c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14684@c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14685@c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14686@c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14687@c files.
14688
14689@kindex core-file
14690@item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14691@itemx core
14692Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14693of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14694address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14695executable file itself for other parts.
14696
14697@code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14698to be used.
14699
14700Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14701under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14702wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14703the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14704(@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14705
14706@kindex add-symbol-file
14707@cindex dynamic linking
14708@item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14709@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14710@itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14711The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14712information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14713when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14714into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14715address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14716this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14717of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14718section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14719@var{address} as an expression.
14720
14721The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14722originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14723@code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14724thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14725instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14726
14727@cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14728@cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14729@cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14730@cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14731@cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14732Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14733executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14734relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14735information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14736
14737@itemize @bullet
14738@item
14739the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14740that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14741@item
14742every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14743been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14744@item
14745you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14746provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14747@end itemize
14748
14749@noindent
14750Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14751relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14752typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14753important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14754procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14755assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14756general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14757relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14758as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14759way.
14760
14761@code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14762
14763@kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14764@cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14765@cindex load symbols from memory
14766@item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14767Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14768object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14769For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14770process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14771some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14772evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14773For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14774@code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14775
14776@kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14777@kindex assf
14778@item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14779@itemx assf @var{library-file}
14780The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14781in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14782alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14783@value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14784@value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14785@code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14786library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14787@code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14788
14789@kindex section
14790@item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14791The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14792@var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14793exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14794@code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14795itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14796@code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14797their addresses.
14798
14799@kindex info files
14800@kindex info target
14801@item info files
14802@itemx info target
14803@code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14804current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14805including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14806use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14807command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14808current ones.
14809
14810@kindex maint info sections
14811@item maint info sections
14812Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14813is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14814displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14815offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14816@code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14817may be arbitrarily combined):
14818
14819@table @code
14820@item ALLOBJ
14821Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14822@item @var{sections}
14823Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14824@item @var{section-flags}
14825Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14826The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14827@table @code
14828@item ALLOC
14829Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14830Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14831@item LOAD
14832Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14833Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14834@item RELOC
14835Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14836@item READONLY
14837Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14838@item CODE
14839Section contains executable code only.
14840@item DATA
14841Section contains data only (no executable code).
14842@item ROM
14843Section will reside in ROM.
14844@item CONSTRUCTOR
14845Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14846@item HAS_CONTENTS
14847Section is not empty.
14848@item NEVER_LOAD
14849An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14850@item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14851A notification to the linker that the section contains
14852COFF shared library information.
14853@item IS_COMMON
14854Section contains common symbols.
14855@end table
14856@end table
14857@kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14858@cindex read-only sections
14859@item set trust-readonly-sections on
14860Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14861really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14862In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14863out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14864For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14865enhancement to debugging performance.
14866
14867The default is off.
14868
14869@item set trust-readonly-sections off
14870Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14871the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14872and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14873
14874@item show trust-readonly-sections
14875Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14876@end table
14877
14878All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14879as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14880name and remembers it that way.
14881
14882@cindex shared libraries
14883@anchor{Shared Libraries}
14884@value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14885and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14886
14887On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14888shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14889
14890@value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14891when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14892(Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14893references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14894debugging a core file).
14895
14896On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14897automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14898
14899@c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14900@c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14901@c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14902
14903There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14904symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14905particularly large or there are many of them.
14906
14907To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14908commands:
14909
14910@table @code
14911@kindex set auto-solib-add
14912@item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14913If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14914will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14915attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14916informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14917is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14918@code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14919
14920@cindex memory used for symbol tables
14921If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14922takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14923memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14924symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14925auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14926library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14927@var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14928the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14929
14930@kindex show auto-solib-add
14931@item show auto-solib-add
14932Display the current autoloading mode.
14933@end table
14934
14935@cindex load shared library
14936To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14937command:
14938
14939@table @code
14940@kindex info sharedlibrary
14941@kindex info share
14942@item info share @var{regex}
14943@itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14944Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14945that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14946all shared libraries that are loaded.
14947
14948@kindex sharedlibrary
14949@kindex share
14950@item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14951@itemx share @var{regex}
14952Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14953Unix regular expression.
14954As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14955required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14956@var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14957loaded.
14958
14959@item nosharedlibrary
14960@kindex nosharedlibrary
14961@cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14962Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14963that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14964libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14965discarded.
14966@end table
14967
14968Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14969when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14970stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14971
14972@table @code
14973@item set stop-on-solib-events
14974@kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14975This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14976when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14977The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14978shared library.
14979
14980@item show stop-on-solib-events
14981@kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14982Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14983library events happen.
14984@end table
14985
14986Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14987configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14988this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14989on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14990libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14991provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14992copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14993not.
14994
14995@cindex where to look for shared libraries
14996For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14997libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14998may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14999to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15000
15001@table @code
15002@cindex prefix for shared library file names
15003@cindex system root, alternate
15004@kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15005@kindex set sysroot
15006@item set sysroot @var{path}
15007Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15008absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15009runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15010target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15011libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15012the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15013under @var{path}.
15014
15015If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15016retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15017supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15018command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15019The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15020(if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15021@footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15022that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15023variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15024
15025For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15026SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15027absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15028@value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15029slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15030
15031@smallexample
15032 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15033@end smallexample
15034
15035Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15036@var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15037system:
15038
15039@smallexample
15040 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15041@end smallexample
15042
15043If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15044the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15045for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15046colons:
15047
15048@smallexample
15049 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15050@end smallexample
15051
15052This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15053with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15054copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15055@samp{z}):
15056
15057@smallexample
15058 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15059 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15060 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15061@end smallexample
15062
15063@noindent
15064and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15065@value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15066@file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15067
15068If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15069removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15070
15071@smallexample
15072 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15073@end smallexample
15074
15075This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15076if you don't want or need to.
15077
15078The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15079sysroot}.
15080
15081@cindex default system root
15082@cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15083You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15084@samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15085@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15086@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15087automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15088location.
15089
15090@kindex show sysroot
15091@item show sysroot
15092Display the current shared library prefix.
15093
15094@kindex set solib-search-path
15095@item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15096If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15097directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15098is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15099path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15100use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15101@samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15102finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15103it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15104of shared library symbols.
15105
15106@kindex show solib-search-path
15107@item show solib-search-path
15108Display the current shared library search path.
15109
15110@cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15111@kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15112@kindex show target-file-system-kind
15113@item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15114Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15115
15116Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15117make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15118example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15119system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15120@value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15121@file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15122drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15123indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15124normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15125the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15126as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15127it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15128shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15129with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15130@code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15131to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15132map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15133semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15134to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15135tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15136current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15137Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15138
15139@table @code
15140@item unix
15141Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15142kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15143are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15144the forward slash.
15145
15146@item dos-based
15147Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15148File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15149followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15150both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15151considered directory separators.
15152
15153@item auto
15154Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15155target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15156This is the default.
15157@end table
15158@end table
15159
15160
15161@node Separate Debug Files
15162@section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15163@cindex separate debugging information files
15164@cindex debugging information in separate files
15165@cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15166@cindex debugging information directory, global
15167@cindex global debugging information directory
15168@cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15169@cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15170
15171@value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15172file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15173@value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15174Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15175than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15176information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15177install only when they need to debug a problem.
15178
15179@value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15180file:
15181
15182@itemize @bullet
15183@item
15184The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15185the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15186usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15187name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15188(e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15189debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15190checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15191the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15192
15193@item
15194The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15195also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15196only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15197for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15198this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15199command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15200The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15201explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15202below.
15203@end itemize
15204
15205Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15206uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15207
15208@itemize @bullet
15209@item
15210For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15211the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15212directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15213directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15214directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15215
15216@item
15217For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15218@file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15219named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15220first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15221are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15222hex characters, not 10.)
15223@end itemize
15224
15225So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15226@file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15227file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15228@code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15229@file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15230debug information files, in the indicated order:
15231
15232@itemize @minus
15233@item
15234@file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15235@item
15236@file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15237@item
15238@file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15239@item
15240@file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15241@end itemize
15242
15243You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15244name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15245
15246@table @code
15247
15248@kindex set debug-file-directory
15249@item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15250Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15251information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15252concatenating them by a directory separator.
15253
15254@kindex show debug-file-directory
15255@item show debug-file-directory
15256Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15257information files.
15258
15259@end table
15260
15261@cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15262@cindex debug link sections
15263A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15264@code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15265
15266@itemize
15267@item
15268A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15269a zero byte,
15270@item
15271zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15272boundary within the section, and
15273@item
15274a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15275executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15276information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15277zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15278@end itemize
15279
15280Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15281contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15282described above.
15283
15284@cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15285@cindex build ID sections
15286The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15287ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15288often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15289It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15290the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15291algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15292content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15293value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15294stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15295
15296The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15297executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15298debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15299should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15300but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15301in an ordinary executable.
15302
15303The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15304@samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15305the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15306following commands:
15307
15308@smallexample
15309@kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15310@kbd{strip -g foo}
15311@end smallexample
15312
15313@noindent
15314These commands remove the debugging
15315information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15316@file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15317two files:
15318
15319@itemize @bullet
15320@item
15321The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15322behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15323
15324@smallexample
15325@kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15326@end smallexample
15327
15328Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15329a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15330foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15331the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15332
15333@item
15334Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15335the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15336compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15337utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15338@end itemize
15339
15340@noindent
15341
15342@cindex CRC algorithm definition
15343The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15344IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15345
15346@c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15347@c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15348@c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15349@c different ways!
15350@ifhtml
15351@display
15352@html
15353 <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>
15354 + <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
15355@end html
15356@end display
15357@end ifhtml
15358@ifnothtml
15359@display
15360 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15361 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15362@end display
15363@end ifnothtml
15364
15365The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15366significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15367@code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15368the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15369CRC.
15370
15371@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15372@dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15373, @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15374case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15375significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15376zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15377
15378To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15379which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15380initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15381this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15382@code{0xffffffff}.
15383
15384@kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15385@smallexample
15386unsigned long
15387gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15388 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15389@{
15390 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15391 @{
15392 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15393 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15394 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15395 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15396 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15397 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15398 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15399 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15400 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15401 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15402 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15403 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15404 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15405 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15406 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15407 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15408 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15409 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15410 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15411 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15412 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15413 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15414 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15415 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15416 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15417 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15418 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15419 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15420 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15421 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15422 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15423 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15424 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15425 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15426 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15427 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15428 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15429 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15430 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15431 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15432 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15433 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15434 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15435 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15436 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15437 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15438 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15439 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15440 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15441 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15442 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15443 0x2d02ef8d
15444 @};
15445 unsigned char *end;
15446
15447 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15448 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15449 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15450 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15451@}
15452@end smallexample
15453
15454@noindent
15455This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15456
15457
15458@node Index Files
15459@section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15460@cindex index files
15461@cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15462
15463When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15464file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15465@value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15466on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15467@value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15468startup.
15469
15470The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15471write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15472using @command{objcopy}.
15473
15474To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15475
15476@table @code
15477@item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15478@kindex save gdb-index
15479Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15480@value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15481with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15482@var{directory}.
15483@end table
15484
15485Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15486file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15487
15488@smallexample
15489$ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15490 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15491@end smallexample
15492
15493There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15494for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15495currently work for programs using Ada.
15496
15497@node Symbol Errors
15498@section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15499
15500While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15501such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15502output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15503they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15504debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15505about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15506only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15507times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15508to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15509complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15510Messages}).
15511
15512The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15513
15514@table @code
15515@item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15516
15517The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15518(such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15519error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15520in its outer scope blocks.
15521
15522@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15523the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15524may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15525function.
15526
15527@item block at @var{address} out of order
15528
15529The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15530order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15531do so.
15532
15533@value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15534locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15535can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15536@code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15537Messages}.)
15538
15539@item bad block start address patched
15540
15541The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15542smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15543to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15544
15545@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15546starting on the previous source line.
15547
15548@item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15549
15550@cindex foo
15551Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15552larger than the size of the string table.
15553
15554@value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15555name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15556with this name.
15557
15558@item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15559
15560The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15561not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15562uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15563
15564@value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15565This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15566are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15567debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15568on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15569and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15570
15571@item stub type has NULL name
15572
15573@value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15574
15575@item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15576The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15577information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15578it.
15579
15580@item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15581
15582@value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15583
15584@end table
15585
15586@node Data Files
15587@section GDB Data Files
15588
15589@cindex prefix for data files
15590@value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15591are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15592
15593You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15594is currently using.
15595
15596@table @code
15597@kindex set data-directory
15598@item set data-directory @var{directory}
15599Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15600to @var{directory}.
15601
15602@kindex show data-directory
15603@item show data-directory
15604Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15605@end table
15606
15607@cindex default data directory
15608@cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15609You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15610@samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15611@value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15612@samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15613automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15614location.
15615
15616The data directory may also be specified with the
15617@code{--data-directory} command line option.
15618@xref{Mode Options}.
15619
15620@node Targets
15621@chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15622
15623@cindex debugging target
15624A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15625
15626Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15627in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15628you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15629flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15630host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15631realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15632command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15633(@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15634
15635@cindex target architecture
15636It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15637architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15638one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15639command.
15640
15641@table @code
15642@kindex set architecture
15643@kindex show architecture
15644@item set architecture @var{arch}
15645This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15646value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15647supported architectures.
15648
15649@item show architecture
15650Show the current target architecture.
15651
15652@item set processor
15653@itemx processor
15654@kindex set processor
15655@kindex show processor
15656These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15657and @code{show architecture}.
15658@end table
15659
15660@menu
15661* Active Targets:: Active targets
15662* Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15663* Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15664@end menu
15665
15666@node Active Targets
15667@section Active Targets
15668
15669@cindex stacking targets
15670@cindex active targets
15671@cindex multiple targets
15672
15673There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15674recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15675and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15676on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15677example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15678the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15679recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15680presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15681remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15682
15683Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15684file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15685specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15686command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15687
15688@node Target Commands
15689@section Commands for Managing Targets
15690
15691@table @code
15692@item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15693Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15694process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15695facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15696protocol of the target machine.
15697
15698Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15699typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15700with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15701
15702The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15703after executing the command.
15704
15705@kindex help target
15706@item help target
15707Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15708currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15709(@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15710
15711@item help target @var{name}
15712Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15713select it.
15714
15715@kindex set gnutarget
15716@item set gnutarget @var{args}
15717@value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15718knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15719a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15720with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15721with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15722
15723@quotation
15724@emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15725you must know the actual BFD name.
15726@end quotation
15727
15728@noindent
15729@xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15730
15731@kindex show gnutarget
15732@item show gnutarget
15733Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15734@code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15735@value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15736and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15737@end table
15738
15739@cindex common targets
15740Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15741configuration):
15742
15743@table @code
15744@kindex target
15745@item target exec @var{program}
15746@cindex executable file target
15747An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15748@samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15749
15750@item target core @var{filename}
15751@cindex core dump file target
15752A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15753@samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15754
15755@item target remote @var{medium}
15756@cindex remote target
15757A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15758connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15759protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15760
15761For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15762machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15763
15764@smallexample
15765target remote /dev/ttya
15766@end smallexample
15767
15768@code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15769useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15770system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15771clobbered by the download.
15772
15773@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15774@cindex built-in simulator target
15775Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15776In general,
15777@smallexample
15778 target sim
15779 load
15780 run
15781@end smallexample
15782@noindent
15783works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15784drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15785provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15786see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15787Processors}.
15788
15789@end table
15790
15791Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15792
15793@table @code
15794
15795@item target nrom @var{dev}
15796@cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15797NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15798
15799@end table
15800
15801Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15802your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15803
15804Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15805you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15806various aspects of this process.
15807
15808@table @code
15809
15810@item set hash
15811@kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15812@cindex hash mark while downloading
15813This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15814downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15815displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15816monitor.
15817
15818@item show hash
15819@kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15820Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15821
15822@item set debug monitor
15823@kindex set debug monitor
15824@cindex display remote monitor communications
15825Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15826@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15827
15828@item show debug monitor
15829@kindex show debug monitor
15830Show the current status of displaying communications between
15831@value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15832@end table
15833
15834@table @code
15835
15836@kindex load @var{filename}
15837@item load @var{filename}
15838@anchor{load}
15839Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15840@value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15841is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15842on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15843@code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15844the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15845
15846If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15847execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15848target is @dots{}}''
15849
15850The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15851For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15852link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15853specifies a fixed address.
15854@c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15855
15856Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15857load programs into flash memory.
15858
15859@code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15860@end table
15861
15862@node Byte Order
15863@section Choosing Target Byte Order
15864
15865@cindex choosing target byte order
15866@cindex target byte order
15867
15868Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15869offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15870orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15871designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15872which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15873@value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15874
15875@table @code
15876@kindex set endian
15877@item set endian big
15878Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15879
15880@item set endian little
15881Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15882
15883@item set endian auto
15884Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15885executable.
15886
15887@item show endian
15888Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15889
15890@end table
15891
15892Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15893data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15894target system.
15895
15896
15897@node Remote Debugging
15898@chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15899@cindex remote debugging
15900
15901If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15902@value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15903For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15904or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15905powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15906
15907Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15908to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15909@value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15910but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15911write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15912communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15913
15914Other remote targets may be available in your
15915configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15916
15917@menu
15918* Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15919* File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15920* Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15921* Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15922* Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15923@end menu
15924
15925@node Connecting
15926@section Connecting to a Remote Target
15927
15928On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15929your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15930Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15931program as the first argument.
15932
15933@cindex @code{target remote}
15934@value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15935over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15936each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15937program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15938@code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15939Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15940
15941@table @code
15942
15943@item target remote @var{serial-device}
15944@cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15945Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15946to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15947
15948@smallexample
15949target remote /dev/ttyb
15950@end smallexample
15951
15952If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15953@w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15954(@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15955@code{target} command.
15956
15957@item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15958@itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15959@cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15960Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15961The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15962address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15963the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15964it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15965target.
15966
15967For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15968@code{manyfarms}:
15969
15970@smallexample
15971target remote manyfarms:2828
15972@end smallexample
15973
15974If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15975debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15976same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15977port 1234 on your local machine:
15978
15979@smallexample
15980target remote :1234
15981@end smallexample
15982@noindent
15983
15984Note that the colon is still required here.
15985
15986@item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15987@cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15988Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15989connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15990
15991@smallexample
15992target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15993@end smallexample
15994
15995When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15996keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15997can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15998cause havoc with your debugging session.
15999
16000@item target remote | @var{command}
16001@cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16002Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16003pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16004by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16005protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16006standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16007that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16008using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16009
16010If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16011@value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16012program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16013
16014@end table
16015
16016Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16017commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16018running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16019need to use @kbd{run}.
16020
16021@cindex interrupting remote programs
16022@cindex remote programs, interrupting
16023Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16024interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16025program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16026and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16027interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16028
16029@smallexample
16030Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16031Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16032@end smallexample
16033
16034If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16035(If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16036remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16037goes back to waiting.
16038
16039@table @code
16040@kindex detach (remote)
16041@item detach
16042When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16043@code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16044Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16045will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16046command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16047
16048@kindex disconnect
16049@item disconnect
16050The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16051the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16052(this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16053the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16054another target.
16055
16056@cindex send command to remote monitor
16057@cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16058@cindex add new commands for external monitor
16059@kindex monitor
16060@item monitor @var{cmd}
16061This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16062remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16063sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16064can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16065and implement.
16066@end table
16067
16068@node File Transfer
16069@section Sending files to a remote system
16070@cindex remote target, file transfer
16071@cindex file transfer
16072@cindex sending files to remote systems
16073
16074Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16075connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16076for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16077running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16078e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16079the only way to upload or download files.
16080
16081Not all remote targets support these commands.
16082
16083@table @code
16084@kindex remote put
16085@item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16086Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16087@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16088
16089@kindex remote get
16090@item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16091Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16092on the host system.
16093
16094@kindex remote delete
16095@item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16096Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16097
16098@end table
16099
16100@node Server
16101@section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16102
16103@kindex gdbserver
16104@cindex remote connection without stubs
16105@code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16106allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16107@code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16108
16109@code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16110because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16111that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16112@code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16113@value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16114because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16115also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16116started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16117Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16118the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16119do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16120by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16121choice for debugging.
16122
16123@value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16124or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16125protocol.
16126
16127@quotation
16128@emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16129Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16130@value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16131target system with the same privileges as the user running
16132@code{gdbserver}.
16133@end quotation
16134
16135@subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16136@cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16137
16138Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16139program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16140@code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16141strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16142system does all the symbol handling.
16143
16144To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16145the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16146syntax is:
16147
16148@smallexample
16149target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16150@end smallexample
16151
16152@var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16153hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16154@samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16155@file{/dev/com1}:
16156
16157@smallexample
16158target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16159@end smallexample
16160
16161@code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16162with it.
16163
16164To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16165
16166@smallexample
16167target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16168@end smallexample
16169
16170The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16171specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16172TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16173expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16174(Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16175you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16176TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16177reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16178conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16179and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16180@code{target remote} command.
16181
16182@subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16183
16184On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16185This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16186
16187@smallexample
16188target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16189@end smallexample
16190
16191@var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16192to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16193
16194@pindex pidof
16195@cindex attach to a program by name
16196You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16197@code{pidof} utility:
16198
16199@smallexample
16200target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16201@end smallexample
16202
16203In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16204has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16205@code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16206
16207@subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16208@cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
16209@cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
16210
16211When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16212@code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16213program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16214and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16215
16216If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16217enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16218detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16219though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16220commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16221The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16222remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16223arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16224redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16225
16226To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16227or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16228Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16229the program you want to debug.
16230
16231@code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
16232You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
16233(@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
16234
16235@subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16236
16237The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16238status information about the debugging process. The
16239@option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16240remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16241@code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16242
16243The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16244for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16245wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16246@kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16247
16248@code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16249command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16250program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16251runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16252
16253You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16254its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16255this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16256with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16257
16258For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16259the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16260environment:
16261
16262@smallexample
16263$ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16264@end smallexample
16265
16266@subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16267
16268Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16269
16270First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16271your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16272@code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16273was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16274
16275The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16276and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16277system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16278are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16279during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16280files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16281programs.
16282
16283Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16284For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16285the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16286text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16287@samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16288command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16289already on the target.
16290
16291@subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16292@cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16293@anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16294
16295During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16296@code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16297Here are the available commands.
16298
16299@table @code
16300@item monitor help
16301List the available monitor commands.
16302
16303@item monitor set debug 0
16304@itemx monitor set debug 1
16305Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16306
16307@item monitor set remote-debug 0
16308@itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16309Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16310protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16311
16312@item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16313@cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16314When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16315directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16316libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16317@samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
16318
16319@item monitor exit
16320Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16321@code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16322detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16323Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16324of a multi-process mode debug session.
16325
16326@end table
16327
16328@subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16329@cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16330
16331On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16332tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16333
16334For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16335@dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16336This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16337@code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16338requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16339support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16340@url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16341is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16342standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16343@code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16344to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16345using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16346
16347There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16348
16349@table @code
16350@item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16351
16352You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16353library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16354@code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16355
16356@item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16357
16358You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16359your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16360support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16361cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16362in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16363@option{--wrapper} command line option.
16364
16365@item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16366
16367On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16368by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16369of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16370systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16371command for that. For example:
16372
16373@smallexample
16374(@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16375@end smallexample
16376
16377Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16378available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16379@end table
16380
16381On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16382systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16383remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16384loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16385program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16386case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16387features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16388libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16389main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16390@code{gdbserver} like so:
16391
16392@smallexample
16393$ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16394@end smallexample
16395
16396Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16397
16398@smallexample
16399$ gdb myprogram
16400(@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
164010x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16402(@value{GDBP}) b main
16403(@value{GDBP}) continue
16404@end smallexample
16405
16406The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16407process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16408command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16409process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16410tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16411tracing.
16412
16413@node Remote Configuration
16414@section Remote Configuration
16415
16416@kindex set remote
16417@kindex show remote
16418This section documents the configuration options available when
16419debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16420extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16421system-call-allowed}.
16422
16423@table @code
16424@item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16425@cindex address size for remote targets
16426@cindex bits in remote address
16427Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16428number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16429that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16430default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16431
16432@item show remoteaddresssize
16433Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16434
16435@item set remotebaud @var{n}
16436@cindex baud rate for remote targets
16437Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16438value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16439remote targets.
16440
16441@item show remotebaud
16442Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16443
16444@item set remotebreak
16445@cindex interrupt remote programs
16446@cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16447@anchor{set remotebreak}
16448If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16449when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16450on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16451character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16452expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16453
16454@item show remotebreak
16455Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16456interrupt the remote program.
16457
16458@item set remoteflow on
16459@itemx set remoteflow off
16460@kindex set remoteflow
16461Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16462on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16463
16464@item show remoteflow
16465@kindex show remoteflow
16466Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16467
16468@item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16469Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16470communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16471@code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16472@code{ascii}.
16473
16474@item show remotelogbase
16475Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16476protocol.
16477
16478@item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16479@cindex record serial communications on file
16480Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16481default is not to record at all.
16482
16483@item show remotelogfile.
16484Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16485serial communications.
16486
16487@item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16488@cindex timeout for serial communications
16489@cindex remote timeout
16490Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16491@var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16492
16493@item show remotetimeout
16494Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16495responses.
16496
16497@cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16498@cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16499@anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16500@anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16501@item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16502@itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16503Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16504watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16505
16506@item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16507@itemx show remote exec-file
16508@anchor{set remote exec-file}
16509@cindex executable file, for remote target
16510Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16511extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16512target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16513filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16514
16515@item set remote interrupt-sequence
16516@cindex interrupt remote programs
16517@cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16518Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16519@samp{BREAK-g} as the
16520sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16521@samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16522is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16523Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16524It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16525
16526@item show interrupt-sequence
16527Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16528is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16529@code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16530also known as Magic SysRq g.
16531
16532@item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16533@cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16534Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16535@value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16536Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16537which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16538
16539@item show interrupt-on-connect
16540Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16541to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16542
16543@kindex set tcp
16544@kindex show tcp
16545@item set tcp auto-retry on
16546@cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16547Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16548debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16549condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16550before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16551enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16552to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16553@code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16554
16555@item set tcp auto-retry off
16556Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16557
16558@item show tcp auto-retry
16559Show the current auto-retry setting.
16560
16561@item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16562@cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16563@cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16564Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16565@var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16566(enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16567that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16568value.
16569
16570@item show tcp connect-timeout
16571Show the current connection timeout setting.
16572@end table
16573
16574@cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16575The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16576your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16577can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16578packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16579packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16580or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16581all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16582see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16583
16584During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16585If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16586in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16587@value{GDBN} developers.
16588
16589For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16590packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16591are:
16592
16593@multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16594@item Command Name
16595@tab Remote Packet
16596@tab Related Features
16597
16598@item @code{fetch-register}
16599@tab @code{p}
16600@tab @code{info registers}
16601
16602@item @code{set-register}
16603@tab @code{P}
16604@tab @code{set}
16605
16606@item @code{binary-download}
16607@tab @code{X}
16608@tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16609
16610@item @code{read-aux-vector}
16611@tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16612@tab @code{info auxv}
16613
16614@item @code{symbol-lookup}
16615@tab @code{qSymbol}
16616@tab Detecting multiple threads
16617
16618@item @code{attach}
16619@tab @code{vAttach}
16620@tab @code{attach}
16621
16622@item @code{verbose-resume}
16623@tab @code{vCont}
16624@tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16625
16626@item @code{run}
16627@tab @code{vRun}
16628@tab @code{run}
16629
16630@item @code{software-breakpoint}
16631@tab @code{Z0}
16632@tab @code{break}
16633
16634@item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16635@tab @code{Z1}
16636@tab @code{hbreak}
16637
16638@item @code{write-watchpoint}
16639@tab @code{Z2}
16640@tab @code{watch}
16641
16642@item @code{read-watchpoint}
16643@tab @code{Z3}
16644@tab @code{rwatch}
16645
16646@item @code{access-watchpoint}
16647@tab @code{Z4}
16648@tab @code{awatch}
16649
16650@item @code{target-features}
16651@tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16652@tab @code{set architecture}
16653
16654@item @code{library-info}
16655@tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16656@tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16657
16658@item @code{memory-map}
16659@tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16660@tab @code{info mem}
16661
16662@item @code{read-sdata-object}
16663@tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16664@tab @code{print $_sdata}
16665
16666@item @code{read-spu-object}
16667@tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16668@tab @code{info spu}
16669
16670@item @code{write-spu-object}
16671@tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16672@tab @code{info spu}
16673
16674@item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16675@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16676@tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16677
16678@item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16679@tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16680@tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16681
16682@item @code{threads}
16683@tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16684@tab @code{info threads}
16685
16686@item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16687@tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16688@tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16689
16690@item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16691@tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16692@tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16693
16694@item @code{search-memory}
16695@tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16696@tab @code{find}
16697
16698@item @code{supported-packets}
16699@tab @code{qSupported}
16700@tab Remote communications parameters
16701
16702@item @code{pass-signals}
16703@tab @code{QPassSignals}
16704@tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16705
16706@item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16707@tab @code{vFile:close}
16708@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16709
16710@item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16711@tab @code{vFile:open}
16712@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16713
16714@item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16715@tab @code{vFile:pread}
16716@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16717
16718@item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16719@tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16720@tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16721
16722@item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16723@tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16724@tab @code{remote delete}
16725
16726@item @code{noack-packet}
16727@tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16728@tab Packet acknowledgment
16729
16730@item @code{osdata}
16731@tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16732@tab @code{info os}
16733
16734@item @code{query-attached}
16735@tab @code{qAttached}
16736@tab Querying remote process attach state.
16737
16738@item @code{traceframe-info}
16739@tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
16740@tab Traceframe info
16741@end multitable
16742
16743@node Remote Stub
16744@section Implementing a Remote Stub
16745
16746@cindex debugging stub, example
16747@cindex remote stub, example
16748@cindex stub example, remote debugging
16749The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16750communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16751@value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16752these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16753implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16754with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16755organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16756
16757@cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16758To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16759@dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16760prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16761program, you need:
16762
16763@enumerate
16764@item
16765A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16766have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16767your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16768
16769@item
16770A C subroutine library to support your program's
16771subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16772
16773@item
16774A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16775download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16776manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16777documentation.
16778@end enumerate
16779
16780The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16781communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16782machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16783
16784@table @emph
16785@item On the host,
16786@value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16787else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16788(@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16789
16790@item On the target,
16791you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16792implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16793subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16794
16795On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16796@code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16797@xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16798@end table
16799
16800The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16801machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16802@sc{sparc} boards.
16803
16804@cindex remote serial stub list
16805These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16806
16807@table @code
16808
16809@item i386-stub.c
16810@cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16811@cindex Intel
16812@cindex i386
16813For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16814
16815@item m68k-stub.c
16816@cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16817@cindex Motorola 680x0
16818@cindex m680x0
16819For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16820
16821@item sh-stub.c
16822@cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16823@cindex Renesas
16824@cindex SH
16825For Renesas SH architectures.
16826
16827@item sparc-stub.c
16828@cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16829@cindex Sparc
16830For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16831
16832@item sparcl-stub.c
16833@cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16834@cindex Fujitsu
16835@cindex SparcLite
16836For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16837
16838@end table
16839
16840The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16841recently added stubs.
16842
16843@menu
16844* Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16845* Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16846* Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16847@end menu
16848
16849@node Stub Contents
16850@subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16851
16852@cindex remote serial stub
16853The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16854subroutines:
16855
16856@table @code
16857@item set_debug_traps
16858@findex set_debug_traps
16859@cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16860This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16861program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16862beginning of your program.
16863
16864@item handle_exception
16865@findex handle_exception
16866@cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16867This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16868explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16869run when a trap is triggered.
16870
16871@code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16872execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16873with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16874protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16875representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16876information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16877retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16878execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16879@code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16880machine.
16881
16882@item breakpoint
16883@cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16884Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16885breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16886way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16887machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16888pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16889@code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16890simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16891again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16892your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16893@value{GDBN} session gets control.
16894
16895Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16896to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16897start of your debugging session.
16898@end table
16899
16900@node Bootstrapping
16901@subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16902
16903@cindex remote stub, support routines
16904The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16905chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16906debugging target machine.
16907
16908First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16909serial port.
16910
16911@table @code
16912@item int getDebugChar()
16913@findex getDebugChar
16914Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16915It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16916different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16917
16918@item void putDebugChar(int)
16919@findex putDebugChar
16920Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16921It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16922different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16923@end table
16924
16925@cindex control C, and remote debugging
16926@cindex interrupting remote targets
16927If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16928running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16929for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16930character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16931remote system to stop.
16932
16933Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16934probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16935is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16936@value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16937
16938Other routines you need to supply are:
16939
16940@table @code
16941@item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16942@findex exceptionHandler
16943Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16944handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16945way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16946are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16947containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16948@var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16949its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16950might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16951exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16952@var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16953and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16954you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16955should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16956
16957For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16958gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16959should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16960@sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16961help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16962
16963@item void flush_i_cache()
16964@findex flush_i_cache
16965On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16966instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16967instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16968
16969On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16970function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16971@end table
16972
16973@noindent
16974You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16975
16976@table @code
16977@item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16978@findex memset
16979This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16980memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16981@code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16982either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16983@end table
16984
16985If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16986library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16987but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16988subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16989
16990
16991@node Debug Session
16992@subsection Putting it All Together
16993
16994@cindex remote serial debugging summary
16995In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16996steps.
16997
16998@enumerate
16999@item
17000Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17001(@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17002@display
17003@code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17004@code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17005@end display
17006
17007@item
17008Insert these lines near the top of your program:
17009
17010@smallexample
17011set_debug_traps();
17012breakpoint();
17013@end smallexample
17014
17015@item
17016For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17017@code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17018
17019@smallexample
17020void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17021@end smallexample
17022
17023@noindent
17024but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17025function in your program, that function is called when
17026@code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17027error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17028one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17029
17030@item
17031Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17032your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17033
17034@item
17035Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17036the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17037
17038@item
17039@c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17040@c document that. FIXME.
17041Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17042whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17043
17044@item
17045Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17046(@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17047
17048@end enumerate
17049
17050@node Configurations
17051@chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17052
17053While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17054cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17055describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17056
17057There are three major categories of configurations: native
17058configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17059operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17060different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17061are quite different from each other.
17062
17063@menu
17064* Native::
17065* Embedded OS::
17066* Embedded Processors::
17067* Architectures::
17068@end menu
17069
17070@node Native
17071@section Native
17072
17073This section describes details specific to particular native
17074configurations.
17075
17076@menu
17077* HP-UX:: HP-UX
17078* BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17079* SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17080* DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17081* Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17082* Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17083* Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17084* Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17085@end menu
17086
17087@node HP-UX
17088@subsection HP-UX
17089
17090On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17091begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17092name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17093
17094
17095@node BSD libkvm Interface
17096@subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17097
17098@cindex libkvm
17099@cindex kernel memory image
17100@cindex kernel crash dump
17101
17102BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17103interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17104memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17105uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17106dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17107special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17108the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17109@code{kvm} target:
17110
17111@smallexample
17112(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17113@end smallexample
17114
17115For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17116argument:
17117
17118@smallexample
17119(@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17120@end smallexample
17121
17122Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17123available:
17124
17125@table @code
17126@kindex kvm
17127@item kvm pcb
17128Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17129
17130@item kvm proc
17131Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17132modern FreeBSD systems.
17133@end table
17134
17135@node SVR4 Process Information
17136@subsection SVR4 Process Information
17137@cindex /proc
17138@cindex examine process image
17139@cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17140
17141Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17142@samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17143process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17144for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17145proc} is available to report information about the process running
17146your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17147proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17148This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17149Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17150
17151@table @code
17152@kindex info proc
17153@cindex process ID
17154@item info proc
17155@itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17156Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17157process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17158that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17159debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17160line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17161executable file's absolute file name.
17162
17163On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17164@samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17165within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17166a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17167needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17168a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17169
17170@item info proc mappings
17171@cindex memory address space mappings
17172Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17173information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17174rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17175includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17176memory access rights to that range.
17177
17178@item info proc stat
17179@itemx info proc status
17180@cindex process detailed status information
17181These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17182the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17183how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17184the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17185consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17186value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17187(type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17188
17189@item info proc all
17190Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17191above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17192
17193@ignore
17194@comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17195@comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17196@comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17197@kindex info proc times
17198@item info proc times
17199Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17200its children.
17201
17202@kindex info proc id
17203@item info proc id
17204Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17205the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17206@end ignore
17207
17208@item set procfs-trace
17209@kindex set procfs-trace
17210@cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17211This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17212
17213@item show procfs-trace
17214@kindex show procfs-trace
17215Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17216
17217@item set procfs-file @var{file}
17218@kindex set procfs-file
17219Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17220@var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17221contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17222standard output.
17223
17224@item show procfs-file
17225@kindex show procfs-file
17226Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17227
17228@item proc-trace-entry
17229@itemx proc-trace-exit
17230@itemx proc-untrace-entry
17231@itemx proc-untrace-exit
17232@kindex proc-trace-entry
17233@kindex proc-trace-exit
17234@kindex proc-untrace-entry
17235@kindex proc-untrace-exit
17236These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17237from the @code{syscall} interface.
17238
17239@item info pidlist
17240@kindex info pidlist
17241@cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17242For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17243processes and all the threads within each process.
17244
17245@item info meminfo
17246@kindex info meminfo
17247@cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17248For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17249@end table
17250
17251@node DJGPP Native
17252@subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17253@cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17254@cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17255@cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17256
17257@cindex DPMI
17258@sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17259MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17260that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17261top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17262
17263@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17264defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17265subsection describes those commands.
17266
17267@table @code
17268@kindex info dos
17269@item info dos
17270This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17271information about the target system and important OS structures.
17272
17273@kindex sysinfo
17274@cindex MS-DOS system info
17275@cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17276@item info dos sysinfo
17277This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17278platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17279DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17280
17281@cindex GDT
17282@cindex LDT
17283@cindex IDT
17284@cindex segment descriptor tables
17285@cindex descriptor tables display
17286@item info dos gdt
17287@itemx info dos ldt
17288@itemx info dos idt
17289These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17290and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17291tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17292that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17293descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17294descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17295rights.
17296
17297A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17298segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17299allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17300conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17301additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17302
17303@cindex garbled pointers
17304These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17305Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17306displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17307display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17308example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17309debugged program's data segment:
17310
17311@smallexample
17312@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17313@exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17314@end smallexample
17315
17316@noindent
17317This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17318the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17319
17320@cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17321@item info dos pde
17322@itemx info dos pte
17323These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17324Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17325data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17326into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17327page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17328may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17329Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17330that is currently in use.
17331
17332Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17333Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17334the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17335@kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17336Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17337means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17338the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17339
17340@cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17341These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17342Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17343controller.
17344
17345These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17346
17347@cindex physical address from linear address
17348@item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17349This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17350address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17351already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17352because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17353segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17354the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17355
17356@smallexample
17357@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17358@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17359@exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17360@end smallexample
17361
17362@noindent
17363This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17364whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17365attributes of that page.
17366
17367Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17368since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17369address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17370be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17371declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17372@code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17373
17374Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17375transfer buffer:
17376
17377@smallexample
17378@exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17379@exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17380@exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17381@end smallexample
17382
17383@noindent
17384(The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
173853rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17386clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17387memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17388linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17389
17390This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17391@end table
17392
17393@cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17394In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17395debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17396to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17397
17398@table @code
17399@kindex set com1base
17400@kindex set com1irq
17401@kindex set com2base
17402@kindex set com2irq
17403@kindex set com3base
17404@kindex set com3irq
17405@kindex set com4base
17406@kindex set com4irq
17407@item set com1base @var{addr}
17408This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17409port.
17410
17411@item set com1irq @var{irq}
17412This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17413for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17414
17415There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17416etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17417other 3 COM ports.
17418
17419@kindex show com1base
17420@kindex show com1irq
17421@kindex show com2base
17422@kindex show com2irq
17423@kindex show com3base
17424@kindex show com3irq
17425@kindex show com4base
17426@kindex show com4irq
17427The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17428display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17429lines used by the COM ports.
17430
17431@item info serial
17432@kindex info serial
17433@cindex DOS serial port status
17434This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17435port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17436IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17437counts of various errors encountered so far.
17438@end table
17439
17440
17441@node Cygwin Native
17442@subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17443@cindex MS Windows debugging
17444@cindex native Cygwin debugging
17445@cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17446
17447@value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17448DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17449
17450@cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17451@cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17452MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17453special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17454by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17455supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17456sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17457ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17458
17459There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17460this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17461described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17462
17463@table @code
17464@kindex info w32
17465@item info w32
17466This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17467information about the target system and important OS structures.
17468
17469@item info w32 selector
17470This command displays information returned by
17471the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17472It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17473a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17474Without argument, this command displays information
17475about the six segment registers.
17476
17477@item info w32 thread-information-block
17478This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17479Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17480selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17481
17482@kindex info dll
17483@item info dll
17484This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17485
17486@kindex dll-symbols
17487@item dll-symbols
17488This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17489add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17490
17491@kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17492@cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17493@cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17494@item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17495If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17496happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17497@value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17498exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17499``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17500Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17501@value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17502
17503@kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17504@item show cygwin-exceptions
17505Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17506inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17507
17508@kindex set new-console
17509@item set new-console @var{mode}
17510If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17511be started in a new console on next start.
17512If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17513be started in the same console as the debugger.
17514
17515@kindex show new-console
17516@item show new-console
17517Displays whether a new console is used
17518when the debuggee is started.
17519
17520@kindex set new-group
17521@item set new-group @var{mode}
17522This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17523start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17524This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17525@samp{Ctrl-C}.
17526
17527@kindex show new-group
17528@item show new-group
17529Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17530
17531@kindex set debugevents
17532@item set debugevents
17533This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17534to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17535signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17536unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17537Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17538
17539@kindex set debugexec
17540@item set debugexec
17541This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17542(such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17543
17544@kindex set debugexceptions
17545@item set debugexceptions
17546This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17547debuggee seen by the debugger.
17548
17549@kindex set debugmemory
17550@item set debugmemory
17551This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17552and writes by the debugger.
17553
17554@kindex set shell
17555@item set shell
17556This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17557via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17558
17559@kindex show shell
17560@item show shell
17561Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17562
17563@end table
17564
17565@menu
17566* Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17567@end menu
17568
17569@node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17570@subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17571@cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17572@cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17573
17574Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17575not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17576@file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17577symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17578information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17579describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17580``minimal symbols''.
17581
17582Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17583will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17584start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17585program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17586@value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17587see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17588@code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17589explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17590cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17591which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17592
17593@subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17594
17595In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17596tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17597DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17598also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17599sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17600(particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17601necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17602contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17603exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17604
17605Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17606though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17607symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17608some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17609@code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17610(@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17611
17612@smallexample
17613(@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17614All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17615
17616Non-debugging symbols:
176170x77e885f4 CreateFileA
176180x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17619@end smallexample
17620
17621@smallexample
17622(@value{GDBP}) info function !
17623All functions matching regular expression "!":
17624
17625Non-debugging symbols:
176260x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
176270x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
176280x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17629[etc...]
17630@end smallexample
17631
17632@subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17633
17634Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17635type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17636refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17637contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17638contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17639means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17640a function within a DLL without a running program.
17641
17642Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17643automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17644variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17645type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17646problem:
17647
17648@smallexample
17649(@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17650$1 = 268572168
17651@end smallexample
17652
17653@smallexample
17654(@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
176550x10021610: "\230y\""
17656@end smallexample
17657
17658And two possible solutions:
17659
17660@smallexample
17661(@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17662$2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17663@end smallexample
17664
17665@smallexample
17666(@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
176670x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17668(@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
176690x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17670(@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
176710x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17672@end smallexample
17673
17674Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17675starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17676examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17677function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17678to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17679
17680@smallexample
17681(@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17682Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17683@end smallexample
17684
17685The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17686break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17687safe.
17688
17689@node Hurd Native
17690@subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17691@cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17692
17693This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17694@sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17695
17696@table @code
17697@item set signals
17698@itemx set sigs
17699@kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17700@kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17701This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17702@value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17703affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17704@code{signals}.
17705
17706@item show signals
17707@itemx show sigs
17708@kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17709@kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17710Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17711
17712@item set signal-thread
17713@itemx set sigthread
17714@kindex set signal-thread
17715@kindex set sigthread
17716This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17717thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17718process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17719signal-thread}.
17720
17721@item show signal-thread
17722@itemx show sigthread
17723@kindex show signal-thread
17724@kindex show sigthread
17725These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17726delivered a signal.
17727
17728@item set stopped
17729@kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17730This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17731as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17732continued by delivering a signal to it.
17733
17734@item show stopped
17735@kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17736This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17737stopped.
17738
17739@item set exceptions
17740@kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17741Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17742When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17743single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17744trapping on.
17745
17746@item show exceptions
17747@kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17748Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17749
17750@item set task pause
17751@kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17752@cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17753@cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17754This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17755Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17756whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17757effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17758to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17759thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17760
17761@item show task pause
17762@kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17763Show the current state of task suspension.
17764
17765@item set task detach-suspend-count
17766@cindex task suspend count
17767@cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17768This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17769@value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17770
17771@item show task detach-suspend-count
17772Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17773
17774@item set task exception-port
17775@itemx set task excp
17776@cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17777This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17778forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17779rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17780
17781@item set noninvasive
17782@cindex noninvasive task options
17783This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17784invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17785is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17786@code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17787
17788@item info send-rights
17789@itemx info receive-rights
17790@itemx info port-rights
17791@itemx info port-sets
17792@itemx info dead-names
17793@itemx info ports
17794@itemx info psets
17795@cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17796@cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17797@cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17798@cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17799@cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17800These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17801receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17802There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17803port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17804
17805@item set thread pause
17806@kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17807@cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17808@cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17809This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17810control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17811thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17812off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17813Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17814control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17815task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17816only the current thread.
17817
17818@item show thread pause
17819@kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17820This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17821
17822@item set thread run
17823This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17824
17825@item show thread run
17826Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17827
17828@item set thread detach-suspend-count
17829@cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17830@cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17831This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17832thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17833found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17834takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17835
17836@item show thread detach-suspend-count
17837Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17838detaching.
17839
17840@item set thread exception-port
17841@itemx set thread excp
17842Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17843overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17844@code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17845
17846@item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17847Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17848value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17849changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17850
17851@item set thread default
17852@itemx show thread default
17853@cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17854Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17855default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17856thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17857variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17858threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17859the non-default commands.
17860@end table
17861
17862
17863@node Neutrino
17864@subsection QNX Neutrino
17865@cindex QNX Neutrino
17866
17867@value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17868Neutrino target:
17869
17870@table @code
17871@item set debug nto-debug
17872@kindex set debug nto-debug
17873When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17874Neutrino support.
17875
17876@item show debug nto-debug
17877@kindex show debug nto-debug
17878Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17879@end table
17880
17881@node Darwin
17882@subsection Darwin
17883@cindex Darwin
17884
17885@value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17886
17887@table @code
17888@item set debug darwin @var{num}
17889@kindex set debug darwin
17890When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17891the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17892
17893@item show debug darwin
17894@kindex show debug darwin
17895Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17896
17897@item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17898@kindex set debug mach-o
17899When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17900@value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17901file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17902values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17903problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17904usage.
17905
17906@item show debug mach-o
17907@kindex show debug mach-o
17908Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17909
17910@item set mach-exceptions on
17911@itemx set mach-exceptions off
17912@kindex set mach-exceptions
17913On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17914mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17915Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17916better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17917
17918@item show mach-exceptions
17919@kindex show mach-exceptions
17920Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17921@end table
17922
17923
17924@node Embedded OS
17925@section Embedded Operating Systems
17926
17927This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17928embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17929architectures.
17930
17931@menu
17932* VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17933@end menu
17934
17935@value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17936various real-time operating systems.
17937
17938@node VxWorks
17939@subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17940
17941@cindex VxWorks
17942
17943@table @code
17944
17945@kindex target vxworks
17946@item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17947A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17948is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17949
17950@end table
17951
17952On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17953current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17954
17955@value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17956VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17957the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17958both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17959@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17960installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17961@value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17962
17963@table @code
17964@item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17965@kindex vxworks-timeout
17966All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17967This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17968seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17969your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17970of a thin network line.
17971@end table
17972
17973The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17974this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17975procedures.
17976
17977@findex INCLUDE_RDB
17978To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17979to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17980library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17981VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17982kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17983source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17984information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17985manual.
17986@c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17987
17988Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17989your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17990run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17991@code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17992
17993@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17994
17995@smallexample
17996(vxgdb)
17997@end smallexample
17998
17999@menu
18000* VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18001* VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18002* VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18003@end menu
18004
18005@node VxWorks Connection
18006@subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18007
18008The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18009network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18010
18011@smallexample
18012(vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18013@end smallexample
18014
18015@need 750
18016@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18017
18018@smallexample
18019Attaching remote machine across net...
18020Connected to tt.
18021@end smallexample
18022
18023@need 1000
18024@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18025loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18026these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18027path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18028to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18029
18030@smallexample
18031prog.o: No such file or directory.
18032@end smallexample
18033
18034When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18035the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18036command again.
18037
18038@node VxWorks Download
18039@subsubsection VxWorks Download
18040
18041@cindex download to VxWorks
18042If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18043object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18044@code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18045incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18046command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18047to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18048table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18049the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18050filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18051Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18052to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18053the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18054@file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18055and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18056program, type this on VxWorks:
18057
18058@smallexample
18059-> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18060@end smallexample
18061
18062@noindent
18063Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18064
18065@smallexample
18066(vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18067(vxgdb) load prog.o
18068@end smallexample
18069
18070@value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18071
18072@smallexample
18073Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18074@end smallexample
18075
18076You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18077after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18078this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18079auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18080history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18081debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18082table.)
18083
18084@node VxWorks Attach
18085@subsubsection Running Tasks
18086
18087@cindex running VxWorks tasks
18088You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18089follows:
18090
18091@smallexample
18092(vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18093@end smallexample
18094
18095@noindent
18096where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18097or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18098the time of attachment.
18099
18100@node Embedded Processors
18101@section Embedded Processors
18102
18103This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18104configurations.
18105
18106@cindex send command to simulator
18107Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18108allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18109
18110@table @code
18111@item sim @var{command}
18112@kindex sim@r{, a command}
18113Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18114documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18115acceptable commands.
18116@end table
18117
18118
18119@menu
18120* ARM:: ARM RDI
18121* M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18122* M68K:: Motorola M68K
18123* MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18124* MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18125* OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18126* PA:: HP PA Embedded
18127* PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18128* Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18129* Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18130* Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18131* AVR:: Atmel AVR
18132* CRIS:: CRIS
18133* Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18134@end menu
18135
18136@node ARM
18137@subsection ARM
18138@cindex ARM RDI
18139
18140@table @code
18141@kindex target rdi
18142@item target rdi @var{dev}
18143ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18144use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18145monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18146
18147@kindex target rdp
18148@item target rdp @var{dev}
18149ARM Demon monitor.
18150
18151@end table
18152
18153@value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18154
18155@table @code
18156@item set arm disassembler
18157@kindex set arm
18158This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18159@code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18160
18161@item show arm disassembler
18162@kindex show arm
18163Show the current disassembly style.
18164
18165@item set arm apcs32
18166@cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18167This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18168
18169@item show arm apcs32
18170Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18171
18172@item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18173This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18174argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18175
18176@table @code
18177@item auto
18178Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18179@item softfpa
18180Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18181processors.
18182@item fpa
18183GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18184@item softvfp
18185Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18186@item vfp
18187VFP co-processor.
18188@end table
18189
18190@item show arm fpu
18191Show the current type of the FPU.
18192
18193@item set arm abi
18194This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18195
18196@item show arm abi
18197Show the currently used ABI.
18198
18199@item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18200@value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18201whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18202@value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18203available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18204use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18205register).
18206
18207@item show arm fallback-mode
18208Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18209
18210@item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18211This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18212instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18213causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18214of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18215
18216@item show arm force-mode
18217Show the current forced instruction mode.
18218
18219@item set debug arm
18220Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18221target support subsystem.
18222
18223@item show debug arm
18224Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18225@end table
18226
18227The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18228using the RDI interface:
18229
18230@table @code
18231@item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18232@kindex rdilogfile
18233@cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18234Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18235With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18236no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18237@file{rdi.log}.
18238
18239@item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18240@kindex rdilogenable
18241Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18242enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18243no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18244ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18245are logged to a file.
18246
18247@item set rdiromatzero
18248@kindex set rdiromatzero
18249@cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18250Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18251vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18252(the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18253effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18254
18255@item show rdiromatzero
18256@kindex show rdiromatzero
18257Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18258
18259@item set rdiheartbeat
18260@kindex set rdiheartbeat
18261@cindex RDI heartbeat
18262Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18263turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18264well as the Angel monitor.
18265
18266@item show rdiheartbeat
18267@kindex show rdiheartbeat
18268Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18269@end table
18270
18271@table @code
18272@item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18273The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18274
18275@table @code
18276@item --swi-support=@var{type}
18277Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18278@var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18279The default value is @code{all}.
18280
18281@table @code
18282@item none
18283@item demon
18284@item angel
18285@item redboot
18286@item all
18287@end table
18288@end table
18289@end table
18290
18291@node M32R/D
18292@subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18293
18294@table @code
18295@kindex target m32r
18296@item target m32r @var{dev}
18297Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18298
18299@kindex target m32rsdi
18300@item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18301Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18302@end table
18303
18304The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18305
18306@table @code
18307@item set download-path @var{path}
18308@kindex set download-path
18309@cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18310Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18311
18312@item show download-path
18313@kindex show download-path
18314Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18315
18316@item set board-address @var{addr}
18317@kindex set board-address
18318@cindex M32-EVA target board address
18319Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18320
18321@item show board-address
18322@kindex show board-address
18323Show the current IP address of the target board.
18324
18325@item set server-address @var{addr}
18326@kindex set server-address
18327@cindex download server address (M32R)
18328Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18329host machine.
18330
18331@item show server-address
18332@kindex show server-address
18333Display the IP address of the download server.
18334
18335@item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18336@kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18337Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18338upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18339executable file is uploaded.
18340
18341@item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18342@kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18343Test the @code{upload} command.
18344@end table
18345
18346The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18347
18348@table @code
18349@item sdireset
18350@kindex sdireset
18351@cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18352This command resets the SDI connection.
18353
18354@item sdistatus
18355@kindex sdistatus
18356This command shows the SDI connection status.
18357
18358@item debug_chaos
18359@kindex debug_chaos
18360@cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18361Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18362
18363@item use_debug_dma
18364@kindex use_debug_dma
18365Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18366
18367@item use_mon_code
18368@kindex use_mon_code
18369Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18370
18371@item use_ib_break
18372@kindex use_ib_break
18373Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18374
18375@item use_dbt_break
18376@kindex use_dbt_break
18377Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18378@end table
18379
18380@node M68K
18381@subsection M68k
18382
18383The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18384target command for the following ROM monitor.
18385
18386@table @code
18387
18388@kindex target dbug
18389@item target dbug @var{dev}
18390dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18391
18392@end table
18393
18394@node MicroBlaze
18395@subsection MicroBlaze
18396@cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18397@cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18398
18399The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18400FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18401usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18402Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18403This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18404the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18405communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18406presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18407@code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18408this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18409commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18410
18411Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18412
18413@table @code
18414@item target remote :1234
18415Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18416on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18417
18418@item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18419Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18420running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18421
18422@item load
18423Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18424
18425@item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18426Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18427
18428@item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18429Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18430@end table
18431
18432@node MIPS Embedded
18433@subsection MIPS Embedded
18434
18435@cindex MIPS boards
18436@value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18437MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18438you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18439
18440@need 1000
18441Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18442
18443@table @code
18444@item target mips @var{port}
18445@kindex target mips @var{port}
18446To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18447name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18448command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18449the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18450been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18451download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18452
18453For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18454port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18455debugger:
18456
18457@smallexample
18458host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18459@value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18460(@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18461(@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18462(@value{GDBP}) run
18463@end smallexample
18464
18465@item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18466On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18467connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18468concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18469@samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18470
18471@item target pmon @var{port}
18472@kindex target pmon @var{port}
18473PMON ROM monitor.
18474
18475@item target ddb @var{port}
18476@kindex target ddb @var{port}
18477NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18478
18479@item target lsi @var{port}
18480@kindex target lsi @var{port}
18481LSI variant of PMON.
18482
18483@kindex target r3900
18484@item target r3900 @var{dev}
18485Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18486
18487@kindex target array
18488@item target array @var{dev}
18489Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18490
18491@end table
18492
18493
18494@noindent
18495@value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18496
18497@table @code
18498@item set mipsfpu double
18499@itemx set mipsfpu single
18500@itemx set mipsfpu none
18501@itemx set mipsfpu auto
18502@itemx show mipsfpu
18503@kindex set mipsfpu
18504@kindex show mipsfpu
18505@cindex MIPS remote floating point
18506@cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18507If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18508coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18509need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18510file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18511functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18512@value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18513functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18514with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18515processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18516double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18517@samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18518
18519In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18520floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18521and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18522
18523As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18524@samp{show mipsfpu}.
18525
18526@item set timeout @var{seconds}
18527@itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18528@itemx show timeout
18529@itemx show retransmit-timeout
18530@cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18531@cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18532@kindex set timeout
18533@kindex show timeout
18534@kindex set retransmit-timeout
18535@kindex show retransmit-timeout
18536You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18537remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18538default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18539waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18540retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18541You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18542retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18543@value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18544
18545The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18546is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18547forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18548to run before stopping.
18549
18550@item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18551@kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18552@cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18553Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18554it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18555characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18556
18557@item show syn-garbage-limit
18558@kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18559Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18560trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18561
18562@item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18563@kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18564@cindex remote monitor prompt
18565Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18566remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18567@table @asis
18568@item pmon target
18569@samp{PMON}
18570@item ddb target
18571@samp{NEC010}
18572@item lsi target
18573@samp{PMON>}
18574@end table
18575
18576@item show monitor-prompt
18577@kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18578Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18579remote monitor.
18580
18581@item set monitor-warnings
18582@kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18583Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18584has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18585display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18586PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18587
18588@item show monitor-warnings
18589@kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18590Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18591
18592@item pmon @var{command}
18593@kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18594@cindex send PMON command
18595This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18596monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18597@end table
18598
18599@node OpenRISC 1000
18600@subsection OpenRISC 1000
18601@cindex OpenRISC 1000
18602
18603@cindex or1k boards
18604See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18605about platform and commands.
18606
18607@table @code
18608
18609@kindex target jtag
18610@item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18611
18612Connects to remote JTAG server.
18613JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18614connected via parallel port to the board.
18615
18616Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18617
18618@kindex or1ksim
18619@item or1ksim @var{command}
18620If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18621Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18622
18623@kindex info or1k spr
18624@item info or1k spr
18625Displays spr groups.
18626
18627@item info or1k spr @var{group}
18628@itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18629Displays register names in selected group.
18630
18631@item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18632@itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18633@itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18634@itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18635Shows information about specified spr register.
18636
18637@kindex spr
18638@item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18639@itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18640@itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18641@itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18642Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18643@end table
18644
18645Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18646It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18647program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18648triggers can be set using:
18649@table @code
18650@item $LEA/$LDATA
18651Load effective address/data
18652@item $SEA/$SDATA
18653Store effective address/data
18654@item $AEA/$ADATA
18655Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18656@item $FETCH
18657Fetch data
18658@end table
18659
18660When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18661@code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18662
18663@code{htrace} commands:
18664@cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18665@table @code
18666@kindex hwatch
18667@item hwatch @var{conditional}
18668Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18669or Data. For example:
18670
18671@code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18672
18673@code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18674
18675@kindex htrace
18676@item htrace info
18677Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18678
18679@item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18680Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18681
18682@item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18683Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18684
18685@item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18686Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18687
18688@item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18689Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18690triggered.
18691
18692@item htrace enable
18693@itemx htrace disable
18694Enables/disables the HW trace.
18695
18696@item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18697Clears currently recorded trace data.
18698
18699If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18700will be written there.
18701
18702@item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18703Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18704
18705@item htrace mode continuous
18706Set continuous trace mode.
18707
18708@item htrace mode suspend
18709Set suspend trace mode.
18710
18711@end table
18712
18713@node PowerPC Embedded
18714@subsection PowerPC Embedded
18715
18716@cindex DVC register
18717@value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18718implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18719
18720@smallexample
18721(@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18722 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18723@end smallexample
18724
18725The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
18726such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
18727debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
18728variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
18729is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
18730or newer.
18731
18732When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
18733ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
18734in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
18735watching variables of scalar types.
18736
18737You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
18738region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
18739
18740@smallexample
18741(@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
18742(@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
18743@end smallexample
18744
18745@value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18746
18747@table @code
18748@kindex set powerpc
18749@item set powerpc soft-float
18750@itemx show powerpc soft-float
18751Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18752convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18753on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18754
18755@item set powerpc vector-abi
18756@itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18757Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18758arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18759@samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18760@samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18761registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18762based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18763
18764@item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
18765@itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
18766Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
18767of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
18768address of its first byte.
18769
18770@kindex target dink32
18771@item target dink32 @var{dev}
18772DINK32 ROM monitor.
18773
18774@kindex target ppcbug
18775@item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18776@kindex target ppcbug1
18777@item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18778PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18779
18780@kindex target sds
18781@item target sds @var{dev}
18782SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18783@end table
18784
18785@cindex SDS protocol
18786The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18787by @value{GDBN}:
18788
18789@table @code
18790@item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18791@kindex set sdstimeout
18792Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18793default is 2 seconds.
18794
18795@item show sdstimeout
18796@kindex show sdstimeout
18797Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18798
18799@item sds @var{command}
18800@kindex sds@r{, a command}
18801Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18802@end table
18803
18804
18805@node PA
18806@subsection HP PA Embedded
18807
18808@table @code
18809
18810@kindex target op50n
18811@item target op50n @var{dev}
18812OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18813
18814@kindex target w89k
18815@item target w89k @var{dev}
18816W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18817
18818@end table
18819
18820@node Sparclet
18821@subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18822
18823@cindex Sparclet
18824
18825@value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18826Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18827@value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18828both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18829@code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18830
18831@table @code
18832@item remotetimeout @var{args}
18833@kindex remotetimeout
18834@value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18835This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18836seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18837@end table
18838
18839@cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18840When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18841information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18842load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18843@samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18844
18845@smallexample
18846sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18847@end smallexample
18848
18849You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18850
18851@smallexample
18852sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18853@end smallexample
18854
18855@cindex running, on Sparclet
18856Once you have set
18857your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18858run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18859(or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18860
18861@value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18862
18863@smallexample
18864(gdbslet)
18865@end smallexample
18866
18867@menu
18868* Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18869* Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18870* Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18871* Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18872@end menu
18873
18874@node Sparclet File
18875@subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18876
18877The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18878
18879@smallexample
18880(gdbslet) file prog
18881@end smallexample
18882
18883@need 1000
18884@value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18885@value{GDBN} locates
18886the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18887path.
18888If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18889files will be searched as well.
18890@value{GDBN} locates
18891the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18892path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18893If it fails
18894to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18895
18896@smallexample
18897prog: No such file or directory.
18898@end smallexample
18899
18900When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18901the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18902@code{target} command again.
18903
18904@node Sparclet Connection
18905@subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18906
18907The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18908To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18909
18910@smallexample
18911(gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18912Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18913main () at ../prog.c:3
18914@end smallexample
18915
18916@need 750
18917@value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18918
18919@smallexample
18920Connected to ttya.
18921@end smallexample
18922
18923@node Sparclet Download
18924@subsubsection Sparclet Download
18925
18926@cindex download to Sparclet
18927Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18928you can use the @value{GDBN}
18929@code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18930The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18931command.
18932Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18933address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18934offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18935of each of the file's sections.
18936For instance, if the program
18937@file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18938and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18939
18940@smallexample
18941(gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18942Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18943@end smallexample
18944
18945If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18946to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18947to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18948
18949@node Sparclet Execution
18950@subsubsection Running and Debugging
18951
18952@cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18953You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18954commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18955manual for the list of commands.
18956
18957@smallexample
18958(gdbslet) b main
18959Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18960(gdbslet) run
18961Starting program: prog
18962Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
189633 char *symarg = 0;
18964(gdbslet) step
189654 char *execarg = "hello!";
18966(gdbslet)
18967@end smallexample
18968
18969@node Sparclite
18970@subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18971
18972@table @code
18973
18974@kindex target sparclite
18975@item target sparclite @var{dev}
18976Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18977You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18978For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18979remote protocol.
18980
18981@end table
18982
18983@node Z8000
18984@subsection Zilog Z8000
18985
18986@cindex Z8000
18987@cindex simulator, Z8000
18988@cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18989
18990When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18991a Z8000 simulator.
18992
18993For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18994unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18995segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18996appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18997
18998@table @code
18999@item target sim @var{args}
19000@kindex sim
19001@kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19002Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19003options, specify them via @var{args}.
19004@end table
19005
19006@noindent
19007After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19008CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19009@code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19010to run your program, and so on.
19011
19012As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19013(@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19014additional items of information as specially named registers:
19015
19016@table @code
19017
19018@item cycles
19019Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19020
19021@item insts
19022Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19023
19024@item time
19025Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19026
19027@end table
19028
19029You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19030conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19031conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19032simulated clock ticks.
19033
19034@node AVR
19035@subsection Atmel AVR
19036@cindex AVR
19037
19038When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19039following AVR-specific commands:
19040
19041@table @code
19042@item info io_registers
19043@kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19044@cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19045This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19046each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19047@end table
19048
19049@node CRIS
19050@subsection CRIS
19051@cindex CRIS
19052
19053When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19054following CRIS-specific commands:
19055
19056@table @code
19057@item set cris-version @var{ver}
19058@cindex CRIS version
19059Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19060The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19061case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19062
19063@item show cris-version
19064Show the current CRIS version.
19065
19066@item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19067@cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19068Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19069Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19070@code{R59}.
19071
19072@item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19073Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19074
19075@item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19076@cindex CRIS mode
19077Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19078debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19079@samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19080
19081@item show cris-mode
19082Show the current CRIS mode.
19083@end table
19084
19085@node Super-H
19086@subsection Renesas Super-H
19087@cindex Super-H
19088
19089For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19090commands:
19091
19092@table @code
19093@item regs
19094@kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19095Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19096
19097@item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19098@kindex set sh calling-convention
19099Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19100Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19101With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19102convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19103that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19104is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19105is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19106regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19107default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19108does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19109
19110@item show sh calling-convention
19111@kindex show sh calling-convention
19112Show the current calling convention setting.
19113
19114@end table
19115
19116
19117@node Architectures
19118@section Architectures
19119
19120This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19121all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19122
19123@menu
19124* i386::
19125* A29K::
19126* Alpha::
19127* MIPS::
19128* HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19129* SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19130* PowerPC::
19131@end menu
19132
19133@node i386
19134@subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19135
19136@table @code
19137@item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19138@kindex set struct-convention
19139@cindex struct return convention
19140@cindex struct/union returned in registers
19141Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19142@code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19143@var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19144default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19145are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19146@code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19147be returned in a register.
19148
19149@item show struct-convention
19150@kindex show struct-convention
19151Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19152from functions.
19153@end table
19154
19155@node A29K
19156@subsection A29K
19157
19158@table @code
19159
19160@kindex set rstack_high_address
19161@cindex AMD 29K register stack
19162@cindex register stack, AMD29K
19163@item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19164On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19165@dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19166extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19167stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19168memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19169this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19170the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19171address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19172hexadecimal.
19173
19174@kindex show rstack_high_address
19175@item show rstack_high_address
19176Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19177processors.
19178
19179@end table
19180
19181@node Alpha
19182@subsection Alpha
19183
19184See the following section.
19185
19186@node MIPS
19187@subsection MIPS
19188
19189@cindex stack on Alpha
19190@cindex stack on MIPS
19191@cindex Alpha stack
19192@cindex MIPS stack
19193Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19194sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19195find the beginning of a function.
19196
19197@cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19198To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19199@value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19200you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19201commands:
19202
19203@table @code
19204@cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19205@item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19206Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19207search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19208default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19209larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19210and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19211this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19212
19213@item show heuristic-fence-post
19214Display the current limit.
19215@end table
19216
19217@noindent
19218These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19219for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19220
19221Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19222programs:
19223
19224@table @code
19225@item set mips abi @var{arg}
19226@kindex set mips abi
19227@cindex set ABI for MIPS
19228Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19229values of @var{arg} are:
19230
19231@table @samp
19232@item auto
19233The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19234default).
19235@item o32
19236@item o64
19237@item n32
19238@item n64
19239@item eabi32
19240@item eabi64
19241@item auto
19242@end table
19243
19244@item show mips abi
19245@kindex show mips abi
19246Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19247
19248@item set mipsfpu
19249@itemx show mipsfpu
19250@xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19251
19252@item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19253@kindex set mips mask-address
19254@cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19255This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19256MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19257@samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19258setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19259
19260@item show mips mask-address
19261@kindex show mips mask-address
19262Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19263not.
19264
19265@item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19266@kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19267This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19268transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19269that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19270and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19271
19272@item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19273@kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19274Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19275
19276@item set debug mips
19277@kindex set debug mips
19278This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19279target code in @value{GDBN}.
19280
19281@item show debug mips
19282@kindex show debug mips
19283Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19284@end table
19285
19286
19287@node HPPA
19288@subsection HPPA
19289@cindex HPPA support
19290
19291When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19292following special commands:
19293
19294@table @code
19295@item set debug hppa
19296@kindex set debug hppa
19297This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19298messages are to be displayed.
19299
19300@item show debug hppa
19301Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19302
19303@item maint print unwind @var{address}
19304@kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19305This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19306given @var{address}.
19307
19308@end table
19309
19310
19311@node SPU
19312@subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19313@cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19314@cindex SPU
19315
19316When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19317it provides the following special commands:
19318
19319@table @code
19320@item info spu event
19321@kindex info spu
19322Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19323and pending event status.
19324
19325@item info spu signal
19326Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19327signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19328notification channels.
19329
19330@item info spu mailbox
19331Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19332in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19333SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19334
19335@item info spu dma
19336Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19337DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19338and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19339
19340@item info spu proxydma
19341Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19342Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19343and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19344
19345@end table
19346
19347When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19348on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19349special commands:
19350
19351@table @code
19352@item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19353@kindex set spu
19354Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19355will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19356function. The default is @code{off}.
19357
19358@item show spu stop-on-load
19359@kindex show spu
19360Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19361
19362@item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19363Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19364@code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19365cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19366view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19367does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19368
19369@item show spu auto-flush-cache
19370Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19371
19372@end table
19373
19374@node PowerPC
19375@subsection PowerPC
19376@cindex PowerPC architecture
19377
19378When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19379pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19380numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19381in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19382@code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19383
19384The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19385by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19386@code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19387
19388For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19389wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19390
19391
19392@node Controlling GDB
19393@chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19394
19395You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19396@code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19397data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19398described here.
19399
19400@menu
19401* Prompt:: Prompt
19402* Editing:: Command editing
19403* Command History:: Command history
19404* Screen Size:: Screen size
19405* Numbers:: Numbers
19406* ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19407* Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19408* Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19409* Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19410@end menu
19411
19412@node Prompt
19413@section Prompt
19414
19415@cindex prompt
19416
19417@value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19418called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19419can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19420instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19421the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19422which one you are talking to.
19423
19424@emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19425prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19426or a prompt that does not.
19427
19428@table @code
19429@kindex set prompt
19430@item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19431Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19432
19433@kindex show prompt
19434@item show prompt
19435Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19436@end table
19437
19438@node Editing
19439@section Command Editing
19440@cindex readline
19441@cindex command line editing
19442
19443@value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19444@sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19445command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19446or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19447substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19448debugging sessions.
19449
19450You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19451command @code{set}.
19452
19453@table @code
19454@kindex set editing
19455@cindex editing
19456@item set editing
19457@itemx set editing on
19458Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19459
19460@item set editing off
19461Disable command line editing.
19462
19463@kindex show editing
19464@item show editing
19465Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19466@end table
19467
19468@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19469@xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19470@end ifset
19471@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19472@xref{Command Line Editing},
19473@end ifclear
19474for more details about the Readline
19475interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19476encouraged to read that chapter.
19477
19478@node Command History
19479@section Command History
19480@cindex command history
19481
19482@value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19483debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19484happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19485history facility.
19486
19487@value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19488package, to provide the history facility.
19489@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19490@xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
19491@end ifset
19492@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19493@xref{Using History Interactively},
19494@end ifclear
19495for the detailed description of the History library.
19496
19497To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19498the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19499(@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19500means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19501affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19502pressed on a line by itself.
19503
19504@cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19505The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19506history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19507use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19508
19509Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19510history.
19511
19512@table @code
19513@cindex history substitution
19514@cindex history file
19515@kindex set history filename
19516@cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19517@item set history filename @var{fname}
19518Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19519This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19520list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19521exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19522the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19523to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19524@file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19525is not set.
19526
19527@cindex save command history
19528@kindex set history save
19529@item set history save
19530@itemx set history save on
19531Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19532@code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19533
19534@item set history save off
19535Stop recording command history in a file.
19536
19537@cindex history size
19538@kindex set history size
19539@cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19540@item set history size @var{size}
19541Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19542This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19543@code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19544@end table
19545
19546History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19547@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19548@xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
19549@end ifset
19550@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19551@xref{Event Designators},
19552@end ifclear
19553for more details.
19554
19555@cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19556Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19557is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19558@code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19559follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19560a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19561history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19562@kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19563
19564The commands to control history expansion are:
19565
19566@table @code
19567@item set history expansion on
19568@itemx set history expansion
19569@kindex set history expansion
19570Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19571
19572@item set history expansion off
19573Disable history expansion.
19574
19575@c @group
19576@kindex show history
19577@item show history
19578@itemx show history filename
19579@itemx show history save
19580@itemx show history size
19581@itemx show history expansion
19582These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19583@code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19584@c @end group
19585@end table
19586
19587@table @code
19588@kindex show commands
19589@cindex show last commands
19590@cindex display command history
19591@item show commands
19592Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19593
19594@item show commands @var{n}
19595Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19596
19597@item show commands +
19598Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19599@end table
19600
19601@node Screen Size
19602@section Screen Size
19603@cindex size of screen
19604@cindex pauses in output
19605
19606Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19607information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19608@value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19609output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19610to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19611determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19612printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19613rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19614
19615Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19616driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19617together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19618@code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19619you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19620width} commands:
19621
19622@table @code
19623@kindex set height
19624@kindex set width
19625@kindex show width
19626@kindex show height
19627@item set height @var{lpp}
19628@itemx show height
19629@itemx set width @var{cpl}
19630@itemx show width
19631These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19632a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19633commands display the current settings.
19634
19635If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19636output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19637file or to an editor buffer.
19638
19639Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19640from wrapping its output.
19641
19642@item set pagination on
19643@itemx set pagination off
19644@kindex set pagination
19645Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19646pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19647running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19648Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19649
19650@item show pagination
19651@kindex show pagination
19652Show the current pagination mode.
19653@end table
19654
19655@node Numbers
19656@section Numbers
19657@cindex number representation
19658@cindex entering numbers
19659
19660You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19661@value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19662@samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19663begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19664@samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
1966510; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19666format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19667both input and output with the commands described below.
19668
19669@table @code
19670@kindex set input-radix
19671@item set input-radix @var{base}
19672Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19673for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19674specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19675example, any of
19676
19677@smallexample
19678set input-radix 012
19679set input-radix 10.
19680set input-radix 0xa
19681@end smallexample
19682
19683@noindent
19684sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19685leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19686@samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19687interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19688@samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19689change the radix.
19690
19691@kindex set output-radix
19692@item set output-radix @var{base}
19693Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19694for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19695specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19696
19697@kindex show input-radix
19698@item show input-radix
19699Display the current default base for numeric input.
19700
19701@kindex show output-radix
19702@item show output-radix
19703Display the current default base for numeric display.
19704
19705@item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19706@itemx show radix
19707@kindex set radix
19708@kindex show radix
19709These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19710of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19711the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19712default value of 10.
19713
19714@end table
19715
19716@node ABI
19717@section Configuring the Current ABI
19718
19719@value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19720application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19721conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19722current ABI.
19723
19724@cindex OS ABI
19725@kindex set osabi
19726@kindex show osabi
19727
19728One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19729system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19730@value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19731but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19732One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19733an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19734not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19735platform provides.
19736
19737@table @code
19738@item show osabi
19739Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19740
19741@item set osabi
19742With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19743
19744@item set osabi @var{abi}
19745Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19746@end table
19747
19748@cindex float promotion
19749
19750Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19751function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19752(i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19753according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19754(i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19755@code{double} and then passed.
19756
19757Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19758a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19759as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19760
19761@table @code
19762@kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19763@item set coerce-float-to-double
19764@itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19765Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19766to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19767
19768@item set coerce-float-to-double off
19769Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19770functions.
19771
19772@kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19773@item show coerce-float-to-double
19774Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19775@end table
19776
19777@kindex set cp-abi
19778@kindex show cp-abi
19779@value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19780objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19781used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19782programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19783multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19784program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19785Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19786before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19787``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19788use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19789``auto''.
19790
19791@table @code
19792@item show cp-abi
19793Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19794
19795@item set cp-abi
19796With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19797
19798@item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19799@itemx set cp-abi auto
19800Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19801@end table
19802
19803@node Messages/Warnings
19804@section Optional Warnings and Messages
19805
19806@cindex verbose operation
19807@cindex optional warnings
19808By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19809running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19810command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19811internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19812
19813Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19814which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19815see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19816
19817@table @code
19818@kindex set verbose
19819@item set verbose on
19820Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19821
19822@item set verbose off
19823Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19824
19825@kindex show verbose
19826@item show verbose
19827Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19828@end table
19829
19830By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19831object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19832find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19833Symbol Files}).
19834
19835@table @code
19836
19837@kindex set complaints
19838@item set complaints @var{limit}
19839Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19840unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19841@var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19842to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19843
19844@kindex show complaints
19845@item show complaints
19846Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19847
19848@end table
19849
19850@anchor{confirmation requests}
19851By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19852lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19853you try to run a program which is already running:
19854
19855@smallexample
19856(@value{GDBP}) run
19857The program being debugged has been started already.
19858Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19859@end smallexample
19860
19861If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19862commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19863
19864@table @code
19865
19866@kindex set confirm
19867@cindex flinching
19868@cindex confirmation
19869@cindex stupid questions
19870@item set confirm off
19871Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19872the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19873automatically disables confirmation requests.
19874
19875@item set confirm on
19876Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19877
19878@kindex show confirm
19879@item show confirm
19880Displays state of confirmation requests.
19881
19882@end table
19883
19884@cindex command tracing
19885If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19886useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19887printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19888quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19889
19890@table @code
19891@kindex set trace-commands
19892@cindex command scripts, debugging
19893@item set trace-commands on
19894Enable command tracing.
19895@item set trace-commands off
19896Disable command tracing.
19897@item show trace-commands
19898Display the current state of command tracing.
19899@end table
19900
19901@node Debugging Output
19902@section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19903@cindex optional debugging messages
19904
19905@value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19906various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19907interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19908section documents those commands.
19909
19910@table @code
19911@kindex set exec-done-display
19912@item set exec-done-display
19913Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19914completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19915asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19916@kindex show exec-done-display
19917@item show exec-done-display
19918Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19919notification.
19920@kindex set debug
19921@cindex gdbarch debugging info
19922@cindex architecture debugging info
19923@item set debug arch
19924Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19925@kindex show debug
19926@item show debug arch
19927Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19928@item set debug aix-thread
19929@cindex AIX threads
19930Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19931module.
19932@item show debug aix-thread
19933Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19934@item set debug dwarf2-die
19935@cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19936Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19937The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19938A value of zero turns off the display.
19939@item show debug dwarf2-die
19940Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19941@item set debug displaced
19942@cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19943Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19944displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19945@item show debug displaced
19946Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19947related to displaced stepping.
19948@item set debug event
19949@cindex event debugging info
19950Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19951default is off.
19952@item show debug event
19953Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19954info.
19955@item set debug expression
19956@cindex expression debugging info
19957Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19958expression parsing. The default is off.
19959@item show debug expression
19960Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19961@value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19962@item set debug frame
19963@cindex frame debugging info
19964Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19965default is off.
19966@item show debug frame
19967Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19968info.
19969@item set debug gnu-nat
19970@cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19971Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19972@item show debug gnu-nat
19973Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19974@item set debug infrun
19975@cindex inferior debugging info
19976Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19977The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19978for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19979@item show debug infrun
19980Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19981@item set debug jit
19982@cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
19983Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
19984@item show debug jit
19985Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
19986@item set debug lin-lwp
19987@cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19988@cindex Linux lightweight processes
19989Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19990@item show debug lin-lwp
19991Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19992@item set debug lin-lwp-async
19993@cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19994@cindex Linux lightweight processes
19995Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19996@item show debug lin-lwp-async
19997Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19998@item set debug observer
19999@cindex observer debugging info
20000Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20001includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20002@item show debug observer
20003Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20004@item set debug overload
20005@cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20006Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20007info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20008is off.
20009@item show debug overload
20010Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20011debugging info.
20012@cindex expression parser, debugging info
20013@cindex debug expression parser
20014@item set debug parser
20015Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20016Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20017parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20018details. The default is off.
20019@item show debug parser
20020Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20021@cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20022@cindex serial connections, debugging
20023@cindex debug remote protocol
20024@cindex remote protocol debugging
20025@cindex display remote packets
20026@item set debug remote
20027Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20028the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20029@value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20030@item show debug remote
20031Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20032@item set debug serial
20033Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20034default is off.
20035@item show debug serial
20036Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20037info.
20038@item set debug solib-frv
20039@cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20040Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20041@item show debug solib-frv
20042Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20043messages.
20044@item set debug target
20045@cindex target debugging info
20046Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20047includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20048default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20049value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20050until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20051@item show debug target
20052Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20053info.
20054@item set debug timestamp
20055@cindex timestampping debugging info
20056Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20057When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20058message.
20059@item show debug timestamp
20060Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20061debugging info.
20062@item set debugvarobj
20063@cindex variable object debugging info
20064Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20065info. The default is off.
20066@item show debugvarobj
20067Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20068debugging info.
20069@item set debug xml
20070@cindex XML parser debugging
20071Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20072@item show debug xml
20073Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20074@end table
20075
20076@node Other Misc Settings
20077@section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20078@cindex miscellaneous settings
20079
20080@table @code
20081@kindex set interactive-mode
20082@item set interactive-mode
20083If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20084in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20085for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20086the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20087in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20088If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20089its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20090is, non-interactively otherwise.
20091
20092In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20093correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20094in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20095inside a cygwin window.
20096
20097@kindex show interactive-mode
20098@item show interactive-mode
20099Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20100@end table
20101
20102@node Extending GDB
20103@chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20104@cindex extending GDB
20105
20106@value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20107on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20108Python scripting language.
20109
20110To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20111of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20112can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20113the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20114are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20115@xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20116
20117You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20118setting:
20119
20120@table @code
20121@kindex set script-extension
20122@kindex show script-extension
20123@item set script-extension off
20124All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20125
20126@item set script-extension soft
20127The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20128extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20129evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20130the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20131
20132@item set script-extension strict
20133The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20134extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20135language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20136
20137@item show script-extension
20138Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20139
20140@end table
20141
20142@menu
20143* Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20144* Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20145@end menu
20146
20147@node Sequences
20148@section Canned Sequences of Commands
20149
20150Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20151Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20152commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20153files.
20154
20155@menu
20156* Define:: How to define your own commands
20157* Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20158* Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20159* Output:: Commands for controlled output
20160@end menu
20161
20162@node Define
20163@subsection User-defined Commands
20164
20165@cindex user-defined command
20166@cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20167A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20168which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20169@code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20170separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20171via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20172
20173@smallexample
20174define adder
20175 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20176end
20177@end smallexample
20178
20179@noindent
20180To execute the command use:
20181
20182@smallexample
20183adder 1 2 3
20184@end smallexample
20185
20186@noindent
20187This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20188its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20189reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20190functions calls.
20191
20192@cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20193@cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20194In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20195been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20196
20197@smallexample
20198define adder
20199 if $argc == 2
20200 print $arg0 + $arg1
20201 end
20202 if $argc == 3
20203 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20204 end
20205end
20206@end smallexample
20207
20208@table @code
20209
20210@kindex define
20211@item define @var{commandname}
20212Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20213by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20214@var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20215numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20216prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20217a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20218
20219The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20220which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20221commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20222
20223@kindex document
20224@kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20225@item document @var{commandname}
20226Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20227accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20228defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20229reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20230After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20231@var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20232
20233You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20234documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20235does not change the documentation.
20236
20237@kindex dont-repeat
20238@cindex don't repeat command
20239@item dont-repeat
20240Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20241command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20242(@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20243
20244@kindex help user-defined
20245@item help user-defined
20246List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20247(if any) for each.
20248
20249@kindex show user
20250@item show user
20251@itemx show user @var{commandname}
20252Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20253not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20254definitions for all user-defined commands.
20255
20256@cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20257@kindex show max-user-call-depth
20258@kindex set max-user-call-depth
20259@item show max-user-call-depth
20260@itemx set max-user-call-depth
20261The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20262levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20263infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20264@end table
20265
20266In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20267use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20268
20269When user-defined commands are executed, the
20270commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20271stops execution of the user-defined command.
20272
20273If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20274without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20275commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20276messages when used in a user-defined command.
20277
20278@node Hooks
20279@subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20280@cindex command hooks
20281@cindex hooks, for commands
20282@cindex hooks, pre-command
20283
20284@kindex hook
20285You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20286command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20287command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20288before that command.
20289
20290@cindex hooks, post-command
20291@kindex hookpost
20292A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20293Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20294@samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20295that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20296pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20297
20298It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20299occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20300
20301@c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20302@c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20303
20304@kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20305In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20306(@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20307execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20308displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20309
20310For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20311single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20312you could define:
20313
20314@smallexample
20315define hook-stop
20316handle SIGALRM nopass
20317end
20318
20319define hook-run
20320handle SIGALRM pass
20321end
20322
20323define hook-continue
20324handle SIGALRM pass
20325end
20326@end smallexample
20327
20328As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20329command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20330you could define:
20331
20332@smallexample
20333define hook-echo
20334echo <<<---
20335end
20336
20337define hookpost-echo
20338echo --->>>\n
20339end
20340
20341(@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20342<<<---Hello World--->>>
20343(@value{GDBP})
20344
20345@end smallexample
20346
20347You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20348not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20349name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20350@c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20351@c or not?
20352You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20353@code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20354@samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20355
20356If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20357@value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20358(before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20359
20360If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20361get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20362
20363@node Command Files
20364@subsection Command Files
20365
20366@cindex command files
20367@cindex scripting commands
20368A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20369@value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20370also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20371does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20372terminal.
20373
20374You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20375command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20376scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20377using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20378@xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20379
20380@table @code
20381@kindex source
20382@cindex execute commands from a file
20383@item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20384Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20385@end table
20386
20387The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20388unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20389@emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20390printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20391execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20392
20393@value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20394If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20395directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20396(specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20397except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20398is not relevant to scripts.
20399
20400If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20401on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20402The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20403search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20404and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20405look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20406The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20407For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20408the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20409look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20410For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20411it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20412@file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20413will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20414
20415If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20416each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20417@var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20418
20419Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20420without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20421normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20422when called from command files.
20423
20424@value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20425mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20426standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20427not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20428the next command.
20429
20430@smallexample
20431gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20432@end smallexample
20433
20434(The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20435will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20436would be directed to @file{log}.
20437
20438Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20439commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20440complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20441variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20442built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20443deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20444complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20445conditionally, etc.
20446
20447@table @code
20448@kindex if
20449@kindex else
20450@item if
20451@itemx else
20452This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20453commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20454expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20455are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20456There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20457of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20458end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20459
20460@kindex while
20461@item while
20462This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20463@code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20464to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20465line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20466@dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20467executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20468
20469@kindex loop_break
20470@item loop_break
20471This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20472Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20473line.
20474
20475@kindex loop_continue
20476@item loop_continue
20477This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20478in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20479branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20480the controlling expression.
20481
20482@kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20483@item end
20484Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20485@code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20486@end table
20487
20488
20489@node Output
20490@subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20491
20492During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20493@value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20494explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20495describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20496want.
20497
20498@table @code
20499@kindex echo
20500@item echo @var{text}
20501@c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20502@c because it is not in ANSI.
20503Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20504@var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20505newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20506In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20507by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20508string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20509trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20510To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20511@samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20512
20513A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20514the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20515
20516@smallexample
20517echo This is some text\n\
20518which is continued\n\
20519onto several lines.\n
20520@end smallexample
20521
20522produces the same output as
20523
20524@smallexample
20525echo This is some text\n
20526echo which is continued\n
20527echo onto several lines.\n
20528@end smallexample
20529
20530@kindex output
20531@item output @var{expression}
20532Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20533newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20534value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20535on expressions.
20536
20537@item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20538Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20539the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20540Formats}, for more information.
20541
20542@kindex printf
20543@item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20544Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20545the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20546@var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20547which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20548specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20549executing the code below:
20550
20551@smallexample
20552printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20553@end smallexample
20554
20555As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20556are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20557by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20558evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20559style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20560printed.
20561
20562For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20563
20564@smallexample
20565printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20566@end smallexample
20567
20568@code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20569specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20570character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20571
20572@itemize @bullet
20573@item
20574The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20575
20576@item
20577The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20578width.
20579
20580@item
20581The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20582@code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20583
20584@item
20585The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20586supported.
20587
20588@item
20589The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20590
20591@item
20592The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20593@end itemize
20594
20595@noindent
20596Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20597underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20598the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20599supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20600
20601As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20602sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20603@samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20604single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20605supported.
20606
20607Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20608(@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20609together with a floating point specifier.
20610letters:
20611
20612@itemize @bullet
20613@item
20614@samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20615
20616@item
20617@samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20618
20619@item
20620@samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20621@end itemize
20622
20623If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20624support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20625such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20626
20627In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20628available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20629
20630Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20631@smallexample
20632printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20633@end smallexample
20634
20635@kindex eval
20636@item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20637Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20638the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20639
20640@end table
20641
20642@node Python
20643@section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20644@cindex python scripting
20645@cindex scripting with python
20646
20647You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20648Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20649@value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20650
20651@cindex python directory
20652Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20653@file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20654the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20655This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20656is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20657the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20658
20659@menu
20660* Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20661* Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20662* Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20663* Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20664@end menu
20665
20666@node Python Commands
20667@subsection Python Commands
20668@cindex python commands
20669@cindex commands to access python
20670
20671@value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20672and one related setting:
20673
20674@table @code
20675@kindex python
20676@item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20677The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20678
20679If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20680argument as a Python command. For example:
20681
20682@smallexample
20683(@value{GDBP}) python print 23
2068423
20685@end smallexample
20686
20687If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20688multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20689script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20690@code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20691containing @code{end}. For example:
20692
20693@smallexample
20694(@value{GDBP}) python
20695Type python script
20696End with a line saying just "end".
20697>print 23
20698>end
2069923
20700@end smallexample
20701
20702@kindex maint set python print-stack
20703@item maint set python print-stack
20704By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20705in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20706python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20707printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20708disabled.
20709@end table
20710
20711It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20712interpreter:
20713
20714@table @code
20715@item source @file{script-name}
20716The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20717to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20718the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20719
20720@item python execfile ("script-name")
20721This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20722and thus is always available.
20723@end table
20724
20725@node Python API
20726@subsection Python API
20727@cindex python api
20728@cindex programming in python
20729
20730@cindex python stdout
20731@cindex python pagination
20732At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20733@code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20734A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20735output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20736situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20737
20738@menu
20739* Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20740* Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
20741* Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
20742* Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20743* Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20744* Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20745* Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20746* Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20747* Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
20748* Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20749* Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20750* Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20751* Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20752* Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20753* Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20754* Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20755* Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20756* Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20757* Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20758* Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20759* Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20760@end menu
20761
20762@node Basic Python
20763@subsubsection Basic Python
20764
20765@cindex python functions
20766@cindex python module
20767@cindex gdb module
20768@value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20769methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20770@value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20771use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20772
20773@findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20774@defvar PYTHONDIR
20775A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20776@end defvar
20777
20778@findex gdb.execute
20779@defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20780Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20781If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20782translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20783
20784@var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20785command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20786It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20787
20788By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20789@value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20790@code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20791returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20792return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20793@value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20794and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20795@end defun
20796
20797@findex gdb.breakpoints
20798@defun breakpoints
20799Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20800@xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20801@end defun
20802
20803@findex gdb.parameter
20804@defun parameter parameter
20805Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20806string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20807spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20808@samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20809
20810If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20811@code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
20812parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
20813type, and returned.
20814@end defun
20815
20816@findex gdb.history
20817@defun history number
20818Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20819History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20820If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20821and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20822find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20823return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20824doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
20825raised.
20826
20827If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20828@code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20829@end defun
20830
20831@findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20832@defun parse_and_eval expression
20833Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20834evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20835@var{expression} must be a string.
20836
20837This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20838(@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20839command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20840compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20841convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20842@end defun
20843
20844@findex gdb.post_event
20845@defun post_event event
20846Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
20847@value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
20848some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
20849posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
20850were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
20851processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
20852
20853@value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
20854threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
20855functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
20856this. For example:
20857
20858@smallexample
20859(@value{GDBP}) python
20860>import threading
20861>
20862>class Writer():
20863> def __init__(self, message):
20864> self.message = message;
20865> def __call__(self):
20866> gdb.write(self.message)
20867>
20868>class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
20869> def run (self):
20870> gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
20871>
20872>class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
20873> def run (self):
20874> gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
20875>
20876>MyThread1().start()
20877>MyThread2().start()
20878>end
20879(@value{GDBP}) Hello World
20880@end smallexample
20881@end defun
20882
20883@findex gdb.write
20884@defun write string @r{[}stream{]}
20885Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
20886optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
20887stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
20888values are:
20889
20890@table @code
20891@findex STDOUT
20892@findex gdb.STDOUT
20893@item STDOUT
20894@value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
20895
20896@findex STDERR
20897@findex gdb.STDERR
20898@item STDERR
20899@value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
20900
20901@findex STDLOG
20902@findex gdb.STDLOG
20903@item STDLOG
20904@value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
20905@end table
20906
20907Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20908call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
20909relevant stream.
20910@end defun
20911
20912@findex gdb.flush
20913@defun flush
20914Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
20915contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
20916contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
20917buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
20918default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
20919stream values are:
20920
20921@table @code
20922@findex STDOUT
20923@findex gdb.STDOUT
20924@item STDOUT
20925@value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
20926
20927@findex STDERR
20928@findex gdb.STDERR
20929@item STDERR
20930@value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
20931
20932@findex STDLOG
20933@findex gdb.STDLOG
20934@item STDLOG
20935@value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
20936
20937@end table
20938
20939Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20940call this function for the relevant stream.
20941@end defun
20942
20943@findex gdb.target_charset
20944@defun target_charset
20945Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20946Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20947that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20948@end defun
20949
20950@findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20951@defun target_wide_charset
20952Return the name of the current target wide character set
20953(@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20954@code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20955never returned.
20956@end defun
20957
20958@findex gdb.solib_name
20959@defun solib_name address
20960Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
20961as a string, or @code{None}.
20962@end defun
20963
20964@findex gdb.decode_line
20965@defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
20966Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
20967current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
20968tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
20969holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
20970the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
20971either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
20972that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
20973objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
20974provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
20975@code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
20976@end defun
20977
20978@node Exception Handling
20979@subsubsection Exception Handling
20980@cindex python exceptions
20981@cindex exceptions, python
20982
20983When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20984uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20985@value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20986@code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20987terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20988exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20989backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20990
20991@smallexample
20992(@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20993Traceback (most recent call last):
20994 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20995NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20996@end smallexample
20997
20998@value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
20999Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
21000Python exception depends on the error.
21001
21002@ftable @code
21003@item gdb.error
21004This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
21005It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
21006versions of @value{GDBN}.
21007
21008If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
21009specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
21010
21011@item gdb.MemoryError
21012This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
21013operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
21014
21015@item KeyboardInterrupt
21016User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
21017prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
21018@end ftable
21019
21020In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
21021message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
21022statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
21023traceback.
21024
21025@findex gdb.GdbError
21026When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
21027it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
21028traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
21029command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
21030to handle this case. Example:
21031
21032@smallexample
21033(gdb) python
21034>class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21035> """Greet the whole world."""
21036> def __init__ (self):
21037> super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21038> def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
21039> argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
21040> if len (argv) != 0:
21041> raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
21042> print "Hello, World!"
21043>HelloWorld ()
21044>end
21045(gdb) hello-world 42
21046hello-world takes no arguments
21047@end smallexample
21048
21049@node Values From Inferior
21050@subsubsection Values From Inferior
21051@cindex values from inferior, with Python
21052@cindex python, working with values from inferior
21053
21054@cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21055@value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21056an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21057for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21058fetching values when necessary.
21059
21060Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21061Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21062an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21063
21064@smallexample
21065bar = some_val + 2
21066@end smallexample
21067
21068@noindent
21069As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21070whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21071
21072Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21073be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21074@code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21075can access its @code{foo} element with:
21076
21077@smallexample
21078bar = some_val['foo']
21079@end smallexample
21080
21081Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21082
21083A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21084inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21085the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21086by that prototype.
21087
21088For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21089representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21090execute this function, call it like so:
21091
21092@smallexample
21093result = some_val (10,20)
21094@end smallexample
21095
21096Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21097@code{gdb.Value}.
21098
21099The following attributes are provided:
21100
21101@table @code
21102@defivar Value address
21103If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21104@code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21105this attribute holds @code{None}.
21106@end defivar
21107
21108@cindex optimized out value in Python
21109@defivar Value is_optimized_out
21110This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21111this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21112@end defivar
21113
21114@defivar Value type
21115The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21116@code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21117@end defivar
21118
21119@defivar Value dynamic_type
21120The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21121type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21122value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21123which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21124reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21125referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21126respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21127type.
21128
21129Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21130that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21131it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21132(@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21133@end defivar
21134@end table
21135
21136The following methods are provided:
21137
21138@table @code
21139@defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
21140Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21141this object initializer. Specifically:
21142
21143@table @asis
21144@item Python boolean
21145A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21146language.
21147
21148@item Python integer
21149A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21150current architecture.
21151
21152@item Python long
21153A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21154current architecture.
21155
21156@item Python float
21157A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21158current architecture.
21159
21160@item Python string
21161A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21162target encoding.
21163
21164@item @code{gdb.Value}
21165If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21166
21167@item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21168If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21169Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21170its result is used.
21171@end table
21172@end defmethod
21173
21174@defmethod Value cast type
21175Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21176casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21177be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21178reason, this method throws an exception.
21179@end defmethod
21180
21181@defmethod Value dereference
21182For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21183whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21184@code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21185
21186@smallexample
21187int *foo;
21188@end smallexample
21189
21190@noindent
21191then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21192@code{foo} points to like this:
21193
21194@smallexample
21195bar = foo.dereference ()
21196@end smallexample
21197
21198The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21199value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21200@end defmethod
21201
21202@defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21203Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21204operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21205@end defmethod
21206
21207@defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21208Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21209operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21210@end defmethod
21211
21212@defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21213If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21214converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21215throw an exception.
21216
21217Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21218@code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21219language.
21220
21221For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21222array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21223by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21224argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21225ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21226
21227If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21228naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21229@code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21230the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21231@code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21232to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21233@var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21234(@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21235will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21236
21237The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21238argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21239
21240If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21241fetched and converted to the given length.
21242@end defmethod
21243
21244@defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21245If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21246converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21247In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21248
21249If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21250naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21251@samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21252@var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21253recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21254
21255When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21256used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21257@var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21258@value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21259the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21260please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21261
21262If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21263fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21264the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21265and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21266@end defmethod
21267@end table
21268
21269@node Types In Python
21270@subsubsection Types In Python
21271@cindex types in Python
21272@cindex Python, working with types
21273
21274@tindex gdb.Type
21275@value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21276@code{gdb.Type}.
21277
21278The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21279module:
21280
21281@findex gdb.lookup_type
21282@defun lookup_type name [block]
21283This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21284type to look up. It must be a string.
21285
21286If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21287Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21288
21289Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21290If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21291@end defun
21292
21293An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21294
21295@table @code
21296@defivar Type code
21297The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21298@code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21299@end defivar
21300
21301@defivar Type sizeof
21302The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21303target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21304unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21305@end defivar
21306
21307@defivar Type tag
21308The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21309@code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21310languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21311@code{None} is returned.
21312@end defivar
21313@end table
21314
21315The following methods are provided:
21316
21317@table @code
21318@defmethod Type fields
21319For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21320types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21321have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21322field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21323represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21324into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21325
21326Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21327@table @code
21328@item bitpos
21329This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21330C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21331position of the field.
21332
21333@item name
21334The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21335
21336@item artificial
21337This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21338it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21339always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21340
21341@item is_base_class
21342This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21343structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21344if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21345@code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21346
21347@item bitsize
21348If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21349non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21350this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21351
21352@item type
21353The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21354but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21355@end table
21356@end defmethod
21357
21358@defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21359Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21360type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21361the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21362given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21363second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21364must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21365@end defmethod
21366
21367@defmethod Type const
21368Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21369@code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21370@end defmethod
21371
21372@defmethod Type volatile
21373Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21374@code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21375@end defmethod
21376
21377@defmethod Type unqualified
21378Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21379variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21380@code{volatile}.
21381@end defmethod
21382
21383@defmethod Type range
21384Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21385low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21386the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21387@code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21388@end defmethod
21389
21390@defmethod Type reference
21391Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21392type.
21393@end defmethod
21394
21395@defmethod Type pointer
21396Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21397type.
21398@end defmethod
21399
21400@defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21401Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21402after removing all layers of typedefs.
21403@end defmethod
21404
21405@defmethod Type target
21406Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21407of this type.
21408
21409For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21410object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21411the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21412the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21413the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21414target type is the aliased type.
21415
21416If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21417exception.
21418@end defmethod
21419
21420@defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21421If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21422return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21423@var{n}th template argument.
21424
21425If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21426exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21427
21428If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21429Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21430@end defmethod
21431@end table
21432
21433
21434Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21435into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21436defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21437
21438@table @code
21439@findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21440@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21441@item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21442The type is a pointer.
21443
21444@findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21445@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21446@item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21447The type is an array.
21448
21449@findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21450@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21451@item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21452The type is a structure.
21453
21454@findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21455@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21456@item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21457The type is a union.
21458
21459@findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21460@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21461@item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21462The type is an enum.
21463
21464@findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21465@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21466@item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21467A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21468
21469@findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21470@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21471@item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21472The type is a function.
21473
21474@findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21475@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21476@item TYPE_CODE_INT
21477The type is an integer type.
21478
21479@findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21480@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21481@item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21482A floating point type.
21483
21484@findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21485@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21486@item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21487The special type @code{void}.
21488
21489@findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21490@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21491@item TYPE_CODE_SET
21492A Pascal set type.
21493
21494@findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21495@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21496@item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21497A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21498
21499@findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21500@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21501@item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21502A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21503language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21504
21505@findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21506@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21507@item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21508A string of bits.
21509
21510@findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21511@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21512@item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21513An unknown or erroneous type.
21514
21515@findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21516@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21517@item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21518A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21519
21520@findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21521@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21522@item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21523A pointer-to-member-function.
21524
21525@findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21526@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21527@item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21528A pointer-to-member.
21529
21530@findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21531@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21532@item TYPE_CODE_REF
21533A reference type.
21534
21535@findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21536@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21537@item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21538A character type.
21539
21540@findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21541@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21542@item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21543A boolean type.
21544
21545@findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21546@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21547@item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21548A complex float type.
21549
21550@findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21551@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21552@item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21553A typedef to some other type.
21554
21555@findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21556@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21557@item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21558A C@t{++} namespace.
21559
21560@findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21561@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21562@item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21563A decimal floating point type.
21564
21565@findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21566@findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21567@item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21568A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21569convenience functions.
21570@end table
21571
21572Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21573Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21574
21575@node Pretty Printing API
21576@subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21577
21578An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21579
21580A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21581specific interface, defined here.
21582
21583@defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21584@value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21585children of the pretty-printer's value.
21586
21587This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21588protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21589two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21590second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21591object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21592
21593This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21594as though the value has no children.
21595@end defop
21596
21597@defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21598The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21599formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21600consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21601printed.
21602
21603This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21604string.
21605
21606Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21607
21608@table @samp
21609@item array
21610Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21611uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21612@code{set print array}.
21613
21614@item map
21615Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21616children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21617values.
21618
21619@item string
21620Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21621printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21622kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21623string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21624adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21625@code{set print elements}, and the like.
21626@end table
21627@end defop
21628
21629@defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21630@value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21631representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21632
21633When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21634then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21635@code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21636the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21637depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21638print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21639the result of @code{children}.
21640
21641If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21642
21643Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21644then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21645another pretty-printer.
21646
21647If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21648@code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21649the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21650pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21651strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21652
21653Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21654are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21655
21656If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21657@end defop
21658
21659@value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21660default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21661
21662@findex gdb.default_visualizer
21663@defun default_visualizer value
21664This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21665pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21666printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21667@end defun
21668
21669@node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21670@subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21671
21672The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21673functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21674as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21675printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21676Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21677Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21678attribute.
21679
21680Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21681argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21682interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21683cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21684@code{None}.
21685
21686@value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21687@code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21688each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21689until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21690If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21691searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21692calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21693After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21694@code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21695object is returned.
21696
21697The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21698given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21699and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21700object is returned.
21701
21702For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21703For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21704the pretty-printer is out of date.
21705
21706The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21707@value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21708printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21709a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21710with a broken printer.
21711
21712Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21713attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21714is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21715the printer is enabled.
21716
21717@node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21718@subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21719@cindex writing a pretty-printer
21720
21721A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21722if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21723
21724Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21725written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21726must provide.
21727
21728@smallexample
21729class StdStringPrinter(object):
21730 "Print a std::string"
21731
21732 def __init__(self, val):
21733 self.val = val
21734
21735 def to_string(self):
21736 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21737
21738 def display_hint(self):
21739 return 'string'
21740@end smallexample
21741
21742And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21743example above might be written.
21744
21745@smallexample
21746def str_lookup_function(val):
21747 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21748 if lookup_tag == None:
21749 return None
21750 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21751 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21752 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21753 return None
21754@end smallexample
21755
21756The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21757match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21758printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21759returns @code{None}.
21760
21761We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21762package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21763further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21764This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21765your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21766different names.
21767
21768You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21769can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21770ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21771printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21772the current objfile.
21773
21774Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21775inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21776Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21777@value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21778Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21779because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21780printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21781printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21782inferior.
21783
21784To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21785this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21786
21787@smallexample
21788def register_printers(objfile):
21789 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
21790@end smallexample
21791
21792@noindent
21793And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21794
21795@smallexample
21796import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21797gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
21798@end smallexample
21799
21800The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
21801There are a few things that can be improved on.
21802The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
21803list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
21804lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
21805
21806Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
21807several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
21808in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
21809several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
21810If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
21811@dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
21812
21813The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
21814problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
21815Here is another example that handles multiple types.
21816
21817These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
21818
21819@smallexample
21820struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
21821struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
21822@end smallexample
21823
21824Here are the printers:
21825
21826@smallexample
21827class fooPrinter:
21828 """Print a foo object."""
21829
21830 def __init__(self, val):
21831 self.val = val
21832
21833 def to_string(self):
21834 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
21835 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
21836
21837class barPrinter:
21838 """Print a bar object."""
21839
21840 def __init__(self, val):
21841 self.val = val
21842
21843 def to_string(self):
21844 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
21845 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
21846@end smallexample
21847
21848This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
21849@code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
21850the object that handles the lookup.
21851
21852@smallexample
21853import gdb.printing
21854
21855def build_pretty_printer():
21856 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
21857 "my_library")
21858 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
21859 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
21860 return pp
21861@end smallexample
21862
21863And here is the autoload support:
21864
21865@smallexample
21866import gdb.printing
21867import my_library
21868gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
21869 gdb.current_objfile(),
21870 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
21871@end smallexample
21872
21873Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
21874corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
21875
21876@smallexample
21877(gdb) info pretty-printer
21878my_library.so:
21879 my_library
21880 foo
21881 bar
21882@end smallexample
21883
21884@node Inferiors In Python
21885@subsubsection Inferiors In Python
21886@cindex inferiors in Python
21887
21888@findex gdb.Inferior
21889Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
21890(@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
21891information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
21892via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
21893
21894The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21895module:
21896
21897@defun inferiors
21898Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
21899@end defun
21900
21901A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
21902
21903@table @code
21904@defivar Inferior num
21905ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
21906@end defivar
21907
21908@defivar Inferior pid
21909Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
21910system.
21911@end defivar
21912
21913@defivar Inferior was_attached
21914Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
21915started by @value{GDBN} itself.
21916@end defivar
21917@end table
21918
21919A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
21920
21921@table @code
21922@defmethod Inferior is_valid
21923Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
21924@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
21925if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
21926@code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
21927at the time the method is called.
21928@end defmethod
21929
21930@defmethod Inferior threads
21931This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
21932when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
21933return an empty tuple.
21934@end defmethod
21935
21936@findex gdb.read_memory
21937@defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
21938Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
21939@var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
21940or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
21941function.
21942@end defmethod
21943
21944@findex gdb.write_memory
21945@defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
21946Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
21947@var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
21948which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21949object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
21950determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
21951@end defmethod
21952
21953@findex gdb.search_memory
21954@defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
21955Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
21956the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
21957@var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
21958which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21959object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
21960containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
21961the pattern could not be found.
21962@end defmethod
21963@end table
21964
21965@node Events In Python
21966@subsubsection Events In Python
21967@cindex inferior events in Python
21968
21969@value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
21970notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
21971the inferior.
21972
21973An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
21974type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
21975of the change. All the existing events are described below.
21976
21977In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
21978with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
21979@code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
21980provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
21981
21982@table @code
21983@defmethod EventRegistry connect object
21984Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
21985called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
21986@end defmethod
21987
21988@defmethod EventRegistry disconnect object
21989Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
21990will no longer receive notifications of events.
21991@end defmethod
21992@end table
21993
21994Here is an example:
21995
21996@smallexample
21997def exit_handler (event):
21998 print "event type: exit"
21999 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
22000
22001gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
22002@end smallexample
22003
22004In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
22005registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
22006called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
22007of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
22008@code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
22009the inferior.
22010
22011The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
22012details of the events they emit:
22013
22014@table @code
22015
22016@item events.cont
22017Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22018
22019Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22020mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
22021@code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
22022events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
22023Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
22024@code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
22025
22026@table @code
22027@defivar ThreadEvent inferior_thread
22028In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
22029involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
22030@end defivar
22031@end table
22032
22033Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22034
22035This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
22036inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
22037
22038@item events.exited
22039Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
22040@code{events.ExitedEvent} has one attribute:
22041@table @code
22042@defivar ExitedEvent exit_code
22043An integer representing the exit code which the inferior has returned.
22044@end defivar
22045@end table
22046
22047@item events.stop
22048Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22049
22050Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
22051extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
22052will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22053mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
22054
22055Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22056
22057This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
22058signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
22059
22060@table @code
22061@defivar SignalEvent stop_signal
22062A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
22063signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
22064the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22065@end defivar
22066@end table
22067
22068Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22069
22070@code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that a breakpoint has been hit, and
22071has the following attributes:
22072
22073@table @code
22074@defivar BreakpointEvent breakpoint
22075A reference to the breakpoint that was hit of type @code{gdb.Breakpoint}.
22076@xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
22077@end defivar
22078@end table
22079
22080@end table
22081
22082@node Threads In Python
22083@subsubsection Threads In Python
22084@cindex threads in python
22085
22086@findex gdb.InferiorThread
22087Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
22088controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
22089
22090The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22091module:
22092
22093@findex gdb.selected_thread
22094@defun selected_thread
22095This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
22096is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
22097@end defun
22098
22099A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
22100
22101@table @code
22102@defivar InferiorThread name
22103The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
22104@code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
22105OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
22106returns @code{None}.
22107
22108This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
22109object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
22110user-specified thread name.
22111@end defivar
22112
22113@defivar InferiorThread num
22114ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
22115@end defivar
22116
22117@defivar InferiorThread ptid
22118ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
22119tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
22120is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
22121Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
22122does not use that identifier.
22123@end defivar
22124@end table
22125
22126A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
22127
22128@table @code
22129@defmethod InferiorThread is_valid
22130Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
22131@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
22132invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
22133is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
22134exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22135@end defmethod
22136
22137@defmethod InferiorThread switch
22138This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
22139by this object.
22140@end defmethod
22141
22142@defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
22143Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
22144@end defmethod
22145
22146@defmethod InferiorThread is_running
22147Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
22148@end defmethod
22149
22150@defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
22151Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
22152@end defmethod
22153@end table
22154
22155@node Commands In Python
22156@subsubsection Commands In Python
22157
22158@cindex commands in python
22159@cindex python commands
22160You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
22161command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
22162class, most commonly using a subclass.
22163
22164@defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
22165The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
22166with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
22167subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22168
22169@var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
22170multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22171commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
22172an exception is raised.
22173
22174There is no support for multi-line commands.
22175
22176@var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22177defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
22178new command in the help system.
22179
22180@var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
22181one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
22182tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
22183given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
22184@code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
22185error will occur when completion is attempted.
22186
22187@var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
22188command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
22189registered.
22190
22191The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
22192documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
22193documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
22194not documented.'' is used.
22195@end defmethod
22196
22197@cindex don't repeat Python command
22198@defmethod Command dont_repeat
22199By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22200blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22201behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22202to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22203@end defmethod
22204
22205@defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
22206This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22207
22208@var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22209leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22210
22211@var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22212command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22213that the command came from elsewhere.
22214
22215If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22216@code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22217
22218@findex gdb.string_to_argv
22219To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22220@code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22221@value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22222It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22223Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22224Example:
22225
22226@smallexample
22227print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22228['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22229@end smallexample
22230
22231@end defmethod
22232
22233@cindex completion of Python commands
22234@defmethod Command complete text word
22235This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22236completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22237this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22238(@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22239complete}).
22240
22241The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22242holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22243@var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22244using a word-breaking heuristic.
22245
22246The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22247@itemize @bullet
22248@item
22249If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22250used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22251contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22252allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22253string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22254sequence are ignored.
22255
22256@item
22257If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22258below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22259function is invoked, and its result is used.
22260
22261@item
22262All other results are treated as though there were no available
22263completions.
22264@end itemize
22265@end defmethod
22266
22267When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22268some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22269commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22270listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22271command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22272defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22273
22274@table @code
22275@findex COMMAND_NONE
22276@findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22277@item COMMAND_NONE
22278The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22279this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22280
22281@findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22282@findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22283@item COMMAND_RUNNING
22284The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22285@code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22286Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22287commands in this category.
22288
22289@findex COMMAND_DATA
22290@findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22291@item COMMAND_DATA
22292The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22293@code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22294@kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22295in this category.
22296
22297@findex COMMAND_STACK
22298@findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22299@item COMMAND_STACK
22300The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22301@code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22302category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22303list of commands in this category.
22304
22305@findex COMMAND_FILES
22306@findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22307@item COMMAND_FILES
22308This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22309@code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22310Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22311commands in this category.
22312
22313@findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22314@findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22315@item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22316This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22317things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22318but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22319@code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22320@kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22321commands in this category.
22322
22323@findex COMMAND_STATUS
22324@findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22325@item COMMAND_STATUS
22326The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22327state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22328and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22329@value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22330
22331@findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22332@findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22333@item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22334The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22335@code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22336breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22337this category.
22338
22339@findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22340@findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22341@item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22342The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22343@code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22344@kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22345commands in this category.
22346
22347@findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22348@findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22349@item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22350The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22351general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22352@code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22353obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22354category.
22355
22356@findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22357@findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22358@item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22359The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22360@code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22361Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22362commands in this category.
22363@end table
22364
22365A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22366specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22367from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22368constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22369
22370@table @code
22371@findex COMPLETE_NONE
22372@findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22373@item COMPLETE_NONE
22374This constant means that no completion should be done.
22375
22376@findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22377@findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22378@item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22379This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22380
22381@findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22382@findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22383@item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22384This constant means that location completion should be done.
22385@xref{Specify Location}.
22386
22387@findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22388@findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22389@item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22390This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22391command names.
22392
22393@findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22394@findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22395@item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22396This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22397as the source.
22398@end table
22399
22400The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22401implemented in Python:
22402
22403@smallexample
22404class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22405 """Greet the whole world."""
22406
22407 def __init__ (self):
22408 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22409
22410 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22411 print "Hello, World!"
22412
22413HelloWorld ()
22414@end smallexample
22415
22416The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22417registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22418Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22419@code{gdb} module explicitly.
22420
22421@node Parameters In Python
22422@subsubsection Parameters In Python
22423
22424@cindex parameters in python
22425@cindex python parameters
22426@tindex gdb.Parameter
22427@tindex Parameter
22428You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22429parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22430class.
22431
22432Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22433@code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22434
22435There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22436@value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22437@code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22438behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22439can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22440
22441@defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22442The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22443parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22444from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22445
22446@var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22447of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22448parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22449@code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22450@code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22451parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22452@value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22453
22454If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22455can be found, an exception is raised.
22456
22457@var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22458(@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22459categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22460
22461@var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22462defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22463parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22464completion.
22465
22466If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22467@var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22468represent the possible values for the parameter.
22469
22470If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22471of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22472
22473The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22474documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22475there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22476@end defmethod
22477
22478@defivar Parameter set_doc
22479If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22480the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22481examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22482have no effect.
22483@end defivar
22484
22485@defivar Parameter show_doc
22486If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22487the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22488examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22489have no effect.
22490@end defivar
22491
22492@defivar Parameter value
22493The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22494parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22495attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22496@end defivar
22497
22498There are two methods that should be implemented in any
22499@code{Parameter} class. These are:
22500
22501@defop Operation {parameter} get_set_string self
22502@value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
22503been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
22504The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
22505value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
22506@end defop
22507
22508@defop Operation {parameter} get_show_string self svalue
22509@value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
22510@code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
22511argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
22512current value. This method must return a string.
22513@end defop
22514
22515When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22516available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22517module:
22518
22519@table @code
22520@findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22521@findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22522@item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22523The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22524and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22525
22526@findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22527@findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22528@item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22529The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22530Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22531@samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22532
22533@findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22534@findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22535@item PARAM_UINTEGER
22536The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22537interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22538
22539@findex PARAM_INTEGER
22540@findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22541@item PARAM_INTEGER
22542The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22543to mean ``unlimited''.
22544
22545@findex PARAM_STRING
22546@findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22547@item PARAM_STRING
22548The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22549sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22550translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22551host charset.
22552
22553@findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22554@findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22555@item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22556The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22557passed through untranslated.
22558
22559@findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22560@findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22561@item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22562The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22563
22564@findex PARAM_FILENAME
22565@findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22566@item PARAM_FILENAME
22567The value is a filename. This is just like
22568@code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22569
22570@findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22571@findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22572@item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22573The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22574is interpreted as itself.
22575
22576@findex PARAM_ENUM
22577@findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22578@item PARAM_ENUM
22579The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22580constants provided when the parameter is created.
22581@end table
22582
22583@node Functions In Python
22584@subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22585
22586@cindex writing convenience functions
22587@cindex convenience functions in python
22588@cindex python convenience functions
22589@tindex gdb.Function
22590@tindex Function
22591You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22592in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22593class @code{gdb.Function}.
22594
22595@defmethod Function __init__ name
22596The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22597@value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22598a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22599variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22600the given @var{name}.
22601
22602The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22603string for the new class.
22604@end defmethod
22605
22606@defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22607When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22608to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22609@code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22610predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22611available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22612standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22613function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22614
22615The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22616expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22617to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22618@end defmethod
22619
22620The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22621be implemented in Python:
22622
22623@smallexample
22624class Greet (gdb.Function):
22625 """Return string to greet someone.
22626Takes a name as argument."""
22627
22628 def __init__ (self):
22629 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22630
22631 def invoke (self, name):
22632 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22633
22634Greet ()
22635@end smallexample
22636
22637The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22638registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22639Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22640@code{gdb} module explicitly.
22641
22642@node Progspaces In Python
22643@subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22644
22645@cindex progspaces in python
22646@tindex gdb.Progspace
22647@tindex Progspace
22648A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22649of an address space.
22650It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22651@xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22652@xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22653about program spaces.
22654
22655The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22656@code{gdb} module:
22657
22658@findex gdb.current_progspace
22659@defun current_progspace
22660This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22661@xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22662@end defun
22663
22664@findex gdb.progspaces
22665@defun progspaces
22666Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22667@end defun
22668
22669Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22670class.
22671
22672@defivar Progspace filename
22673The file name of the progspace as a string.
22674@end defivar
22675
22676@defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22677The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22678used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22679function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22680search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22681which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22682information.
22683@end defivar
22684
22685@node Objfiles In Python
22686@subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22687
22688@cindex objfiles in python
22689@tindex gdb.Objfile
22690@tindex Objfile
22691@value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22692symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22693executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22694separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22695@value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22696
22697The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22698@code{gdb} module:
22699
22700@findex gdb.current_objfile
22701@defun current_objfile
22702When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22703sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22704function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22705this function returns @code{None}.
22706@end defun
22707
22708@findex gdb.objfiles
22709@defun objfiles
22710Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22711@xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22712@end defun
22713
22714Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22715class.
22716
22717@defivar Objfile filename
22718The file name of the objfile as a string.
22719@end defivar
22720
22721@defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22722The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22723used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22724function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22725search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22726which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22727information.
22728@end defivar
22729
22730A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
22731
22732@defmethod Objfile is_valid
22733Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
22734@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
22735if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
22736longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
22737if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22738@end defmethod
22739
22740@node Frames In Python
22741@subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22742
22743@cindex frames in python
22744When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22745stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22746represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22747while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22748to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
22749exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
22750
22751Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22752operator, like:
22753
22754@smallexample
22755(@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22756True
22757@end smallexample
22758
22759The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22760
22761@findex gdb.selected_frame
22762@defun selected_frame
22763Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22764@end defun
22765
22766@findex gdb.newest_frame
22767@defun newest_frame
22768Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
22769@end defun
22770
22771@defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22772Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22773frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22774@code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22775@end defun
22776
22777A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22778
22779@table @code
22780@defmethod Frame is_valid
22781Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
22782A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
22783exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
22784an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22785@end defmethod
22786
22787@defmethod Frame name
22788Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
22789obtained.
22790@end defmethod
22791
22792@defmethod Frame type
22793Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
22794@table @code
22795@item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
22796An ordinary stack frame.
22797
22798@item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
22799A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
22800inferior function call.
22801
22802@item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
22803A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
22804into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
22805
22806@item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
22807A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
22808it calls into a signal handler.
22809
22810@item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
22811A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
22812
22813@item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
22814This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
22815newest frame.
22816@end table
22817@end defmethod
22818
22819@defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
22820Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
22821more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
22822@code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
22823function to a string.
22824@end defmethod
22825
22826@defmethod Frame pc
22827Returns the frame's resume address.
22828@end defmethod
22829
22830@defmethod Frame block
22831Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
22832@end defmethod
22833
22834@defmethod Frame function
22835Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
22836@xref{Symbols In Python}.
22837@end defmethod
22838
22839@defmethod Frame older
22840Return the frame that called this frame.
22841@end defmethod
22842
22843@defmethod Frame newer
22844Return the frame called by this frame.
22845@end defmethod
22846
22847@defmethod Frame find_sal
22848Return the frame's symtab and line object.
22849@xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
22850@end defmethod
22851
22852@defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
22853Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
22854argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
22855block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
22856determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
22857must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
22858@code{gdb.Block} object.
22859@end defmethod
22860
22861@defmethod Frame select
22862Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
22863Stack}.
22864@end defmethod
22865@end table
22866
22867@node Blocks In Python
22868@subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22869
22870@cindex blocks in python
22871@tindex gdb.Block
22872
22873Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
22874stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
22875are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
22876Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
22877frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
22878detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
22879stack.
22880
22881The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22882module:
22883
22884@findex gdb.block_for_pc
22885@defun block_for_pc pc
22886Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
22887block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
22888will return @code{None}.
22889@end defun
22890
22891A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
22892
22893@table @code
22894@defmethod Block is_valid
22895Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
22896@code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
22897refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
22898@code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
22899the time the method is called. This method is also made available to
22900the Python iterator object that @code{gdb.Block} provides in an iteration
22901context and via the Python @code{iter} built-in function.
22902@end defmethod
22903@end table
22904
22905A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
22906
22907@table @code
22908@defivar Block start
22909The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22910@end defivar
22911
22912@defivar Block end
22913The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22914@end defivar
22915
22916@defivar Block function
22917The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
22918block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
22919attribute is not writable.
22920@end defivar
22921
22922@defivar Block superblock
22923The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
22924this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22925@end defivar
22926@end table
22927
22928@node Symbols In Python
22929@subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
22930
22931@cindex symbols in python
22932@tindex gdb.Symbol
22933
22934@value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
22935entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
22936Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
22937@code{gdb.Symbol} object.
22938
22939The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22940module:
22941
22942@findex gdb.lookup_symbol
22943@defun lookup_symbol name @r{[}block@r{]} @r{[}domain@r{]}
22944This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
22945restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
22946arguments.
22947
22948@var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
22949optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
22950in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
22951@code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
22952is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
22953the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
22954domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
22955in this chapter.
22956
22957The result is a tuple of two elements.
22958The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
22959is not found.
22960If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
22961is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
22962otherwise it is @code{False}.
22963If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
22964@end defun
22965
22966@findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
22967@defun lookup_global_symbol name @r{[}domain@r{]}
22968This function searches for a global symbol by name.
22969The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
22970
22971@var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
22972The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
22973The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
22974module and described later in this chapter.
22975
22976The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
22977is not found.
22978@end defun
22979
22980A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
22981
22982@table @code
22983@defivar Symbol symtab
22984The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
22985represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
22986Python}. This attribute is not writable.
22987@end defivar
22988
22989@defivar Symbol name
22990The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
22991@end defivar
22992
22993@defivar Symbol linkage_name
22994The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
22995This attribute is not writable.
22996@end defivar
22997
22998@defivar Symbol print_name
22999The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
23000@code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
23001asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
23002@end defivar
23003
23004@defivar Symbol addr_class
23005The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
23006of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
23007@code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
23008@end defivar
23009
23010@defivar Symbol is_argument
23011@code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
23012@end defivar
23013
23014@defivar Symbol is_constant
23015@code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
23016@end defivar
23017
23018@defivar Symbol is_function
23019@code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
23020@end defivar
23021
23022@defivar Symbol is_variable
23023@code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
23024@end defivar
23025@end table
23026
23027A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
23028
23029@table @code
23030@defmethod Symbol is_valid
23031Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
23032@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
23033the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
23034All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
23035invalid at the time the method is called.
23036@end defmethod
23037@end table
23038
23039The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23040as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23041
23042@table @code
23043@findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23044@findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23045@item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23046This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
23047following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
23048in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23049@findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23050@findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23051@item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23052This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
23053type values.
23054@findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23055@findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23056@item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23057This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
23058@findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23059@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23060@item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23061This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
23062@findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23063@findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23064@item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23065This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
23066contains everything minus functions and types.
23067@findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23068@findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23069@item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
23070This domain contains all functions.
23071@findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23072@findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23073@item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23074This domain contains all types.
23075@end table
23076
23077The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23078as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23079
23080@table @code
23081@findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23082@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23083@item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23084If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
23085the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23086@findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23087@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23088@item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23089Value is constant int.
23090@findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23091@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23092@item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23093Value is at a fixed address.
23094@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23095@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23096@item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23097Value is in a register.
23098@findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23099@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23100@item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23101Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
23102symbol inside the frame's argument list.
23103@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23104@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23105@item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23106Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
23107@code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
23108offset, not the value itself.
23109@findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23110@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23111@item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23112Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
23113the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
23114itself.
23115@findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23116@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23117@item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23118Value is a local variable.
23119@findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23120@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23121@item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23122Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
23123have this class.
23124@findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23125@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23126@item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23127Value is a block.
23128@findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23129@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23130@item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23131Value is a byte-sequence.
23132@findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23133@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23134@item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23135Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
23136determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
23137referenced.
23138@findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23139@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23140@item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23141The value does not actually exist in the program.
23142@findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23143@findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23144@item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23145The value's address is a computed location.
23146@end table
23147
23148@node Symbol Tables In Python
23149@subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
23150
23151@cindex symbol tables in python
23152@tindex gdb.Symtab
23153@tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
23154
23155Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
23156is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
23157@code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
23158from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
23159@xref{Frames In Python}.
23160
23161For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
23162@ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
23163
23164A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
23165
23166@table @code
23167@defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
23168The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
23169This attribute is not writable.
23170@end defivar
23171
23172@defivar Symtab_and_line pc
23173Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
23174writable.
23175@end defivar
23176
23177@defivar Symtab_and_line line
23178Indicates the current line number for this object. This
23179attribute is not writable.
23180@end defivar
23181@end table
23182
23183A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
23184
23185@table @code
23186@defmethod Symtab_and_line is_valid
23187Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
23188@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
23189invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
23190exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
23191@code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
23192invalid at the time the method is called.
23193@end defmethod
23194@end table
23195
23196A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
23197
23198@table @code
23199@defivar Symtab filename
23200The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
23201@end defivar
23202
23203@defivar Symtab objfile
23204The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23205This attribute is not writable.
23206@end defivar
23207@end table
23208
23209A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
23210
23211@table @code
23212@defmethod Symtab is_valid
23213Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
23214@code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
23215the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
23216longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
23217if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23218@end defmethod
23219
23220@defmethod Symtab fullname
23221Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
23222@end defmethod
23223@end table
23224
23225@node Breakpoints In Python
23226@subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
23227
23228@cindex breakpoints in python
23229@tindex gdb.Breakpoint
23230
23231Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
23232class.
23233
23234@defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]} @r{[}internal@r{]}
23235Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
23236location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
23237watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
23238@code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
23239command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
23240from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
23241either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
23242defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
23243allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
23244will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
23245output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
23246@code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
23247argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
23248@code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
23249assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
23250@end defmethod
23251
23252@defop Operation {gdb.Breakpoint} stop (self)
23253The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
23254particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
23255If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
23256it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
23257breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
23258@code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
23259breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
23260
23261If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
23262@code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
23263return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
23264methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
23265if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
23266@code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
23267
23268Example @code{stop} implementation:
23269
23270@smallexample
23271class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
23272 def stop (self):
23273 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
23274 if inf_val == 3:
23275 return True
23276 return False
23277@end smallexample
23278@end defop
23279
23280The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
23281@code{gdb} module:
23282
23283@table @code
23284@findex WP_READ
23285@findex gdb.WP_READ
23286@item WP_READ
23287Read only watchpoint.
23288
23289@findex WP_WRITE
23290@findex gdb.WP_WRITE
23291@item WP_WRITE
23292Write only watchpoint.
23293
23294@findex WP_ACCESS
23295@findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
23296@item WP_ACCESS
23297Read/Write watchpoint.
23298@end table
23299
23300@defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
23301Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
23302@code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
23303if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
23304exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
23305watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
23306inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
23307@end defmethod
23308
23309@defmethod Breakpoint delete
23310Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
23311invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
23312to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
23313@end defmethod
23314
23315@defivar Breakpoint enabled
23316This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
23317@code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23318@end defivar
23319
23320@defivar Breakpoint silent
23321This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23322@code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23323
23324Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23325first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23326@code{silent} attribute.
23327@end defivar
23328
23329@defivar Breakpoint thread
23330If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23331id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23332@code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23333@end defivar
23334
23335@defivar Breakpoint task
23336If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23337id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23338language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23339is writable.
23340@end defivar
23341
23342@defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
23343This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23344This attribute is writable.
23345@end defivar
23346
23347@defivar Breakpoint number
23348This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23349the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23350@end defivar
23351
23352@defivar Breakpoint type
23353This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23354determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23355writable.
23356@end defivar
23357
23358@defivar Breakpoint visible
23359This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23360when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23361attribute is not writable.
23362@end defivar
23363
23364The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23365module:
23366
23367@table @code
23368@findex BP_BREAKPOINT
23369@findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23370@item BP_BREAKPOINT
23371Normal code breakpoint.
23372
23373@findex BP_WATCHPOINT
23374@findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23375@item BP_WATCHPOINT
23376Watchpoint breakpoint.
23377
23378@findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23379@findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23380@item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23381Hardware assisted watchpoint.
23382
23383@findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23384@findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23385@item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23386Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
23387
23388@findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23389@findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23390@item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23391Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
23392@end table
23393
23394@defivar Breakpoint hit_count
23395This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23396This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
23397@end defivar
23398
23399@defivar Breakpoint location
23400This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
23401the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
23402(that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
23403attribute is not writable.
23404@end defivar
23405
23406@defivar Breakpoint expression
23407This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
23408the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
23409expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
23410is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23411@end defivar
23412
23413@defivar Breakpoint condition
23414This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
23415the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
23416value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23417@end defivar
23418
23419@defivar Breakpoint commands
23420This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
23421there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
23422commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
23423attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23424@end defivar
23425
23426@node Lazy Strings In Python
23427@subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
23428
23429@cindex lazy strings in python
23430@tindex gdb.LazyString
23431
23432A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
23433encoded until it is needed.
23434
23435A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
23436@code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
23437that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
23438to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
23439difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
23440a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
23441differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23442retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23443wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23444
23445A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23446
23447@defmethod LazyString value
23448Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23449will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23450retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23451@code{gdb.LazyString}.
23452@end defmethod
23453
23454@defivar LazyString address
23455This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23456writable.
23457@end defivar
23458
23459@defivar LazyString length
23460This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23461length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23462first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23463@end defivar
23464
23465@defivar LazyString encoding
23466This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23467when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23468set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23469most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23470is not writable.
23471@end defivar
23472
23473@defivar LazyString type
23474This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23475type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23476resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23477@code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23478writable.
23479@end defivar
23480
23481@node Auto-loading
23482@subsection Auto-loading
23483@cindex auto-loading, Python
23484
23485When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23486command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23487@value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23488@file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23489
23490@menu
23491* objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23492* .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23493* Which flavor to choose?::
23494@end menu
23495
23496The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23497debugging commands and scripts.
23498
23499Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
23500
23501@table @code
23502@kindex set auto-load-scripts
23503@item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
23504Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
23505
23506@kindex show auto-load-scripts
23507@item show auto-load-scripts
23508Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
23509@end table
23510
23511When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23512@dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23513function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23514registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23515
23516@node objfile-gdb.py file
23517@subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23518@cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23519
23520When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23521a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23522where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23523that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23524@code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23525readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23526
23527If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23528@code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23529then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23530directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23531
23532Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23533a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23534@var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23535@code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23536is the object file's real name, as described above.
23537
23538@value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23539@value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23540@var{objfile} is opened.
23541So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23542is evaluated more than once.
23543
23544@node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23545@subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23546@cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23547
23548For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23549when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23550it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23551If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23552
23553@value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23554current directory and then along the source search path
23555(@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23556except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23557directory is not relevant to scripts.
23558
23559Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23560for example, this GCC macro:
23561
23562@example
23563/* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23564#define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23565 asm("\
23566.pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23567.byte 1\n\
23568.asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23569.popsection \n\
23570");
23571@end example
23572
23573@noindent
23574Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23575
23576@example
23577DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23578@end example
23579
23580The script name may include directories if desired.
23581
23582If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23583using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23584
23585@node Which flavor to choose?
23586@subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23587
23588Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23589be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23590
23591Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23592
23593@itemize @bullet
23594@item
23595Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23596
23597@item
23598Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23599
23600Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23601in the source search path.
23602For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23603isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23604
23605@item
23606Doesn't require source code additions.
23607@end itemize
23608
23609Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23610
23611@itemize @bullet
23612@item
23613Works with static linking.
23614
23615Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23616trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23617objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23618scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23619
23620@item
23621Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23622
23623Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23624shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23625
23626@item
23627Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23628
23629In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23630libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23631@file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23632cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23633@code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23634top of the source tree to the source search path.
23635@end itemize
23636
23637@node Python modules
23638@subsection Python modules
23639@cindex python modules
23640
23641@value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23642
23643@menu
23644* gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23645* gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23646@end menu
23647
23648@node gdb.printing
23649@subsubsection gdb.printing
23650@cindex gdb.printing
23651
23652This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23653pretty-printers.
23654
23655@table @code
23656@item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23657This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23658@samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23659Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23660
23661@item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23662For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23663corresponding API for the subprinters.
23664
23665@item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23666Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23667regular expressions.
23668@xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23669
23670@item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23671Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23672@end table
23673
23674@node gdb.types
23675@subsubsection gdb.types
23676@cindex gdb.types
23677
23678This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23679@code{gdb.Types} objects.
23680
23681@table @code
23682@item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23683Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23684and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23685
23686C@t{++} example:
23687
23688@smallexample
23689typedef const int const_int;
23690const_int foo (3);
23691const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23692int main () @{ return 0; @}
23693@end smallexample
23694
23695Then in gdb:
23696
23697@smallexample
23698(gdb) start
23699(gdb) python import gdb.types
23700(gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23701(gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23702int
23703@end smallexample
23704
23705@item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23706Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23707(e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23708
23709@item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23710Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23711@end table
23712
23713@node Interpreters
23714@chapter Command Interpreters
23715@cindex command interpreters
23716
23717@value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23718infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23719between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23720
23721@value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23722interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23723and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23724describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23725
23726By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23727However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23728interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23729startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23730
23731@table @code
23732@item console
23733@cindex console interpreter
23734The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23735used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23736@value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23737
23738@item mi
23739@cindex mi interpreter
23740The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23741by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23742or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23743Interface}.
23744
23745@item mi2
23746@cindex mi2 interpreter
23747The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23748
23749@item mi1
23750@cindex mi1 interpreter
23751The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23752
23753@end table
23754
23755@cindex invoke another interpreter
23756The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
23757switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
23758precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
23759enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
23760@value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
23761the IDE inoperable!
23762
23763@kindex interpreter-exec
23764Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
23765commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
23766command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
23767@code{interpreter-exec} command:
23768
23769@smallexample
23770interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
23771@end smallexample
23772
23773@sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
23774@value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
23775
23776@node TUI
23777@chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
23778@cindex TUI
23779@cindex Text User Interface
23780
23781@menu
23782* TUI Overview:: TUI overview
23783* TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
23784* TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
23785* TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
23786* TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
23787@end menu
23788
23789The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
23790interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
23791file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
23792commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
23793on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
23794is available.
23795
23796@pindex @value{GDBTUI}
23797The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
23798either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
23799You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
23800using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
23801@xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
23802
23803@node TUI Overview
23804@section TUI Overview
23805
23806In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
23807
23808@table @emph
23809@item command
23810This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
23811prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
23812managed using readline.
23813
23814@item source
23815The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
23816line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
23817
23818@item assembly
23819The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
23820
23821@item register
23822This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
23823when their values change.
23824@end table
23825
23826The source and assembly windows show the current program position
23827by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
23828Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
23829indicates the breakpoint type:
23830
23831@table @code
23832@item B
23833Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23834
23835@item b
23836Breakpoint which was never hit.
23837
23838@item H
23839Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23840
23841@item h
23842Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
23843@end table
23844
23845The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
23846
23847@table @code
23848@item +
23849Breakpoint is enabled.
23850
23851@item -
23852Breakpoint is disabled.
23853@end table
23854
23855The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
23856thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
23857changes.
23858
23859These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
23860window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
23861layouts:
23862
23863@itemize @bullet
23864@item
23865source only,
23866
23867@item
23868assembly only,
23869
23870@item
23871source and assembly,
23872
23873@item
23874source and registers, or
23875
23876@item
23877assembly and registers.
23878@end itemize
23879
23880A status line above the command window shows the following information:
23881
23882@table @emph
23883@item target
23884Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
23885(@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
23886
23887@item process
23888Gives the current process or thread number.
23889When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
23890
23891@item function
23892Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
23893The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
23894When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
23895the string @code{??} is displayed.
23896
23897@item line
23898Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
23899When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
23900
23901@item pc
23902Indicates the current program counter address.
23903@end table
23904
23905@node TUI Keys
23906@section TUI Key Bindings
23907@cindex TUI key bindings
23908
23909The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
23910@ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
23911(@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
23912@end ifset
23913@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
23914(@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
23915@end ifclear
23916The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
23917@value{GDBN} standard mode.
23918
23919@table @kbd
23920@kindex C-x C-a
23921@item C-x C-a
23922@kindex C-x a
23923@itemx C-x a
23924@kindex C-x A
23925@itemx C-x A
23926Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
23927the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
23928its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
23929the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
23930The screen is then refreshed.
23931
23932@kindex C-x 1
23933@item C-x 1
23934Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
23935either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
23936is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
23937
23938Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
23939
23940@kindex C-x 2
23941@item C-x 2
23942Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
23943layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
23944When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
23945previous layout and the new one.
23946
23947Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
23948
23949@kindex C-x o
23950@item C-x o
23951Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
23952(like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
23953gives the focus to the next TUI window.
23954
23955Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
23956
23957@kindex C-x s
23958@item C-x s
23959Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
23960keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
23961@end table
23962
23963The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
23964
23965@table @asis
23966@kindex PgUp
23967@item @key{PgUp}
23968Scroll the active window one page up.
23969
23970@kindex PgDn
23971@item @key{PgDn}
23972Scroll the active window one page down.
23973
23974@kindex Up
23975@item @key{Up}
23976Scroll the active window one line up.
23977
23978@kindex Down
23979@item @key{Down}
23980Scroll the active window one line down.
23981
23982@kindex Left
23983@item @key{Left}
23984Scroll the active window one column left.
23985
23986@kindex Right
23987@item @key{Right}
23988Scroll the active window one column right.
23989
23990@kindex C-L
23991@item @kbd{C-L}
23992Refresh the screen.
23993@end table
23994
23995Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
23996are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
23997window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
23998other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
23999and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24000
24001@node TUI Single Key Mode
24002@section TUI Single Key Mode
24003@cindex TUI single key mode
24004
24005The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24006frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24007switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24008
24009@table @kbd
24010@kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24011@item c
24012continue
24013
24014@kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24015@item d
24016down
24017
24018@kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24019@item f
24020finish
24021
24022@kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24023@item n
24024next
24025
24026@kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24027@item q
24028exit the SingleKey mode.
24029
24030@kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24031@item r
24032run
24033
24034@kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24035@item s
24036step
24037
24038@kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24039@item u
24040up
24041
24042@kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24043@item v
24044info locals
24045
24046@kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24047@item w
24048where
24049@end table
24050
24051Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24052The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24053it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24054with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24055SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24056this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24057
24058
24059@node TUI Commands
24060@section TUI-specific Commands
24061@cindex TUI commands
24062
24063The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24064These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24065the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24066of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24067
24068Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24069terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24070interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24071these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24072possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24073
24074@table @code
24075@item info win
24076@kindex info win
24077List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24078
24079@item layout next
24080@kindex layout
24081Display the next layout.
24082
24083@item layout prev
24084Display the previous layout.
24085
24086@item layout src
24087Display the source window only.
24088
24089@item layout asm
24090Display the assembly window only.
24091
24092@item layout split
24093Display the source and assembly window.
24094
24095@item layout regs
24096Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24097
24098@item focus next
24099@kindex focus
24100Make the next window active for scrolling.
24101
24102@item focus prev
24103Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24104
24105@item focus src
24106Make the source window active for scrolling.
24107
24108@item focus asm
24109Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24110
24111@item focus regs
24112Make the register window active for scrolling.
24113
24114@item focus cmd
24115Make the command window active for scrolling.
24116
24117@item refresh
24118@kindex refresh
24119Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24120
24121@item tui reg float
24122@kindex tui reg
24123Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24124
24125@item tui reg general
24126Show the general registers in the register window.
24127
24128@item tui reg next
24129Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24130their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24131following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24132@code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24133
24134@item tui reg system
24135Show the system registers in the register window.
24136
24137@item update
24138@kindex update
24139Update the source window and the current execution point.
24140
24141@item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24142@itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24143@kindex winheight
24144Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24145lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24146decrease it.
24147
24148@item tabset @var{nchars}
24149@kindex tabset
24150Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
24151@end table
24152
24153@node TUI Configuration
24154@section TUI Configuration Variables
24155@cindex TUI configuration variables
24156
24157Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24158
24159@table @code
24160@item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24161@kindex set tui border-kind
24162Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24163The possible values are the following:
24164@table @code
24165@item space
24166Use a space character to draw the border.
24167
24168@item ascii
24169Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24170
24171@item acs
24172Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24173drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24174@end table
24175
24176@item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24177@kindex set tui border-mode
24178@itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24179@kindex set tui active-border-mode
24180Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24181or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24182@table @code
24183@item normal
24184Use normal attributes to display the border.
24185
24186@item standout
24187Use standout mode.
24188
24189@item reverse
24190Use reverse video mode.
24191
24192@item half
24193Use half bright mode.
24194
24195@item half-standout
24196Use half bright and standout mode.
24197
24198@item bold
24199Use extra bright or bold mode.
24200
24201@item bold-standout
24202Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24203@end table
24204@end table
24205
24206@node Emacs
24207@chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24208
24209@cindex Emacs
24210@cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24211A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24212edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24213@value{GDBN}.
24214
24215To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24216executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24217@value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24218created Emacs buffer.
24219@c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24220
24221Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24222things:
24223
24224@itemize @bullet
24225@item
24226All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24227the GUD buffer.
24228
24229This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24230and output done by the program you are debugging.
24231
24232This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24233commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24234in this way.
24235
24236All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24237with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24238way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24239stop.
24240
24241@item
24242@value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24243
24244Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24245source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24246left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24247source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24248and the source.
24249
24250Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24251usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24252@end itemize
24253
24254We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24255a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24256that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24257@xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24258
24259If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24260gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24261your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24262sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
24263with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24264program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24265some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24266@value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24267buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24268
24269The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24270line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24271that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24272,Commands to Specify Files}.
24273
24274By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24275need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24276keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24277customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24278one you want.
24279
24280In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24281addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24282
24283@table @kbd
24284@item C-h m
24285Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24286
24287@item C-c C-s
24288Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24289update the display window to show the current file and location.
24290
24291@item C-c C-n
24292Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24293calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24294to show the current file and location.
24295
24296@item C-c C-i
24297Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24298display window accordingly.
24299
24300@item C-c C-f
24301Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24302@code{finish} command.
24303
24304@item C-c C-r
24305Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24306command.
24307
24308@item C-c <
24309Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24310(@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24311like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24312
24313@item C-c >
24314Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24315@value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24316@end table
24317
24318In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24319tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24320
24321In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24322separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24323Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24324become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24325source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24326selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24327speedbar displays watch expressions.
24328
24329If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24330it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24331request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24332the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24333frame.
24334
24335The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24336which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24337the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24338communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24339delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24340to correspond properly with the code.
24341
24342A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24343given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24344Emacs Manual}).
24345
24346@c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
24347@c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
24348@ignore
24349@kindex Emacs Epoch environment
24350@kindex Epoch
24351@kindex inspect
24352
24353Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
24354called the @code{epoch}
24355environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
24356@code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
24357each value is printed in its own window.
24358@end ignore
24359
24360
24361@node GDB/MI
24362@chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24363
24364@unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24365
24366@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24367@sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24368@value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24369@option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24370is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24371use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24372
24373This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24374in the form of a reference manual.
24375
24376Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24377features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24378(@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24379
24380@unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24381
24382@cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24383This chapter uses the following notation:
24384
24385@itemize @bullet
24386@item
24387@code{|} separates two alternatives.
24388
24389@item
24390@code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24391it may or may not be given.
24392
24393@item
24394@code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24395may repeat zero or more times.
24396
24397@item
24398@code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24399may repeat one or more times.
24400
24401@item
24402@code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24403@end itemize
24404
24405@ignore
24406@heading Dependencies
24407@end ignore
24408
24409@menu
24410* GDB/MI General Design::
24411* GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24412* GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24413* GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24414* GDB/MI Output Records::
24415* GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24416* GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24417* GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24418* GDB/MI Program Context::
24419* GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24420* GDB/MI Program Execution::
24421* GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24422* GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24423* GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24424* GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24425* GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24426* GDB/MI File Commands::
24427@ignore
24428* GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24429* GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24430* GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24431@end ignore
24432* GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24433* GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24434* GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24435@end menu
24436
24437@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24438@node GDB/MI General Design
24439@section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24440@cindex GDB/MI General Design
24441
24442Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24443parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24444and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24445indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24446For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24447requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24448response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24449Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24450target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24451a command and reported as part of that command response.
24452
24453The important examples of notifications are:
24454@itemize @bullet
24455
24456@item
24457Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24458target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24459be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24460commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24461different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24462happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24463command itself was successfully executed.
24464
24465@item
24466Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24467notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24468diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24469report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24470this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24471until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24472
24473@item
24474General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24475the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24476a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24477be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24478orthogonal frontend design.
24479
24480@end itemize
24481
24482There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24483@value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24484the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24485processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24486we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24487the user interface.
24488
24489
24490@menu
24491* Context management::
24492* Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24493* Thread groups::
24494@end menu
24495
24496@node Context management
24497@subsection Context management
24498
24499In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24500done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24501Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24502be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24503and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24504because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24505explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24506@value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24507to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24508
24509In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24510useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24511itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24512each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24513want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24514increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24515frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24516should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24517make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24518@samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24519for thread and frame to operate on.
24520
24521Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24522a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24523operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24524current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24525it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24526another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24527the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24528one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24529change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24530No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24531
24532Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24533frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24534right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24535simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24536before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24537to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24538if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24539thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24540optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24541sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24542selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24543change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24544problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24545all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24546right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24547@samp{--frame} options.
24548
24549@node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24550@subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24551
24552On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24553even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24554command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24555specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24556@code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24557either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24558frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24559find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24560@code{-list-target-features} command.
24561
24562Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24563many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24564running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24565when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24566it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24567are running.
24568
24569When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24570target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24571some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24572stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24573modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24574that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24575@code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24576context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24577stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24578@samp{--thread} option).
24579
24580Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24581highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24582@code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24583to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24584
24585@node Thread groups
24586@subsection Thread groups
24587@value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24588On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24589hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24590processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24591mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24592
24593The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24594target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24595accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24596thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24597neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24598current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24599that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24600into processes.
24601
24602To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24603hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24604@dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24605thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24606and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24607command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24608thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24609debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24610to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24611the members of specific thread group.
24612
24613To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24614wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24615introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24616@value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24617@code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24618groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24619In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24620after attaching to that thread group.
24621
24622Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24623Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24624type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24625such thread groups.
24626
24627@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24628@node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24629@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24630
24631@menu
24632* GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24633* GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24634@end menu
24635
24636@node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24637@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24638
24639@cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24640@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24641@table @code
24642@item @var{command} @expansion{}
24643@code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24644
24645@item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24646@code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24647@var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24648
24649@item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24650@code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24651@code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24652
24653@item @var{token} @expansion{}
24654"any sequence of digits"
24655
24656@item @var{option} @expansion{}
24657@code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24658
24659@item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24660@code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24661
24662@item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24663@emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24664
24665@item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24666@emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24667"-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24668
24669@item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24670@code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24671
24672@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24673@code{CR | CR-LF}
24674@end table
24675
24676@noindent
24677Notes:
24678
24679@itemize @bullet
24680@item
24681The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24682output is described below.
24683
24684@item
24685The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24686finishes.
24687
24688@item
24689Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24690list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24691followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24692parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24693@samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24694@end itemize
24695
24696Pragmatics:
24697
24698@itemize @bullet
24699@item
24700We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24701
24702@item
24703We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24704@end itemize
24705
24706@node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24707@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24708
24709@cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24710@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24711The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24712followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24713is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24714terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24715
24716If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24717corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24718@var{token}.
24719
24720@table @code
24721@item @var{output} @expansion{}
24722@code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24723
24724@item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24725@code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24726
24727@item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24728@code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24729
24730@item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24731@code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24732
24733@item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24734@code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24735
24736@item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24737@code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24738
24739@item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24740@code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24741
24742@item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24743@code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24744
24745@item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24746@code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24747
24748@item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24749@code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24750depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24751
24752@item @var{result} @expansion{}
24753@code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24754
24755@item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24756@code{ @var{string} }
24757
24758@item @var{value} @expansion{}
24759@code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
24760
24761@item @var{const} @expansion{}
24762@code{@var{c-string}}
24763
24764@item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
24765@code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
24766
24767@item @var{list} @expansion{}
24768@code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
24769@var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
24770
24771@item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
24772@code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
24773
24774@item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
24775@code{"~" @var{c-string}}
24776
24777@item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
24778@code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
24779
24780@item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
24781@code{"&" @var{c-string}}
24782
24783@item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24784@code{CR | CR-LF}
24785
24786@item @var{token} @expansion{}
24787@emph{any sequence of digits}.
24788@end table
24789
24790@noindent
24791Notes:
24792
24793@itemize @bullet
24794@item
24795All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
24796
24797@item
24798The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
24799for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
24800may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
24801output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
24802all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
24803target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
24804prior command.
24805
24806@item
24807@cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24808@var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
24809progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
24810prefixed by @samp{+}.
24811
24812@item
24813@cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24814@var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
24815(stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
24816@samp{*}.
24817
24818@item
24819@cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24820@var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
24821client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
24822output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
24823
24824@item
24825@cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24826@var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
24827console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
24828output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
24829
24830@item
24831@cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24832@var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
24833All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
24834
24835@item
24836@cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24837@var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
24838instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
24839the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
24840
24841@item
24842@cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24843New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
24844@var{values}.
24845
24846
24847@end itemize
24848
24849@xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
24850details about the various output records.
24851
24852@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24853@node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
24854@section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
24855
24856@cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
24857@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
24858
24859For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
24860but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
24861that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
24862command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
24863@code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
24864@samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
24865
24866This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
24867recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
24868(@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
24869
24870@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24871@node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
24872@section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
24873@cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
24874
24875The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
24876program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
24877
24878Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
24879by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
24880to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
24881section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
24882might change.
24883
24884Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
24885for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
24886list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
24887parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
24888
24889@itemize @bullet
24890@item
24891New MI commands may be added.
24892
24893@item
24894New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
24895
24896@item
24897The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
24898@code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
24899
24900@c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
24901@c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
24902
24903@c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
24904@c resolve inconsistencies.
24905@end itemize
24906
24907If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
24908will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
24909output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
24910@value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
24911responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
24912
24913@c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
24914@c version?
24915
24916The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
24917end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
24918follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
24919@email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
24920@cindex mailing lists
24921
24922@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24923@node GDB/MI Output Records
24924@section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
24925
24926@menu
24927* GDB/MI Result Records::
24928* GDB/MI Stream Records::
24929* GDB/MI Async Records::
24930* GDB/MI Frame Information::
24931* GDB/MI Thread Information::
24932@end menu
24933
24934@node GDB/MI Result Records
24935@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
24936
24937@cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24938@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
24939In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
24940@sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
24941
24942@table @code
24943@findex ^done
24944@item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
24945The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
24946values.
24947
24948@item "^running"
24949@findex ^running
24950This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
24951was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
24952target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
24953all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
24954identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
24955which threads are resumed.
24956
24957@item "^connected"
24958@findex ^connected
24959@value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
24960
24961@item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
24962@findex ^error
24963The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
24964error message.
24965
24966@item "^exit"
24967@findex ^exit
24968@value{GDBN} has terminated.
24969
24970@end table
24971
24972@node GDB/MI Stream Records
24973@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
24974
24975@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
24976@cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24977@value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
24978target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
24979funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
24980
24981Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
24982identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
24983Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
24984@code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
24985line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
24986
24987@table @code
24988@item "~" @var{string-output}
24989The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
24990CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
24991
24992@item "@@" @var{string-output}
24993The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
24994target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
24995asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
24996
24997@item "&" @var{string-output}
24998The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
24999internals.
25000@end table
25001
25002@node GDB/MI Async Records
25003@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25004
25005@cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25006@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25007@dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25008additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25009consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25010target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25011
25012The following is the list of possible async records:
25013
25014@table @code
25015
25016@item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25017The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25018specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25019are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25020running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25021The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25022only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25023several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25024all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25025be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25026
25027@item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25028The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25029following values:
25030
25031@table @code
25032@item breakpoint-hit
25033A breakpoint was reached.
25034@item watchpoint-trigger
25035A watchpoint was triggered.
25036@item read-watchpoint-trigger
25037A read watchpoint was triggered.
25038@item access-watchpoint-trigger
25039An access watchpoint was triggered.
25040@item function-finished
25041An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25042@item location-reached
25043An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25044@item watchpoint-scope
25045A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25046@item end-stepping-range
25047An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25048similar CLI command was accomplished.
25049@item exited-signalled
25050The inferior exited because of a signal.
25051@item exited
25052The inferior exited.
25053@item exited-normally
25054The inferior exited normally.
25055@item signal-received
25056A signal was received by the inferior.
25057@end table
25058
25059The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25060-- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25061mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25062stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25063If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25064value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25065field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25066always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25067several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25068processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25069if such information is not available.
25070
25071@item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25072@itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25073A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25074contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25075group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25076process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25077cannot be used in any way.
25078
25079@item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25080A thread group became associated with a running program,
25081either because the program was just started or the thread group
25082was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25083@value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25084contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25085
25086@itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
25087A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25088either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25089from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25090thread group.
25091
25092@item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25093@itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25094A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25095contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25096field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25097
25098@item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25099Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25100command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25101command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25102to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25103invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25104@code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25105
25106We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25107highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25108that thread.
25109
25110@item =library-loaded,...
25111Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25112notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25113@var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25114opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25115@var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25116library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25117debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25118@var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25119and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25120@var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25121group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25122absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25123thread groups.
25124
25125@item =library-unloaded,...
25126Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25127has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25128the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25129The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25130thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25131absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25132thread groups.
25133
25134@end table
25135
25136@node GDB/MI Frame Information
25137@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25138
25139Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25140frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25141fields:
25142
25143@table @code
25144@item level
25145The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25146zero. This field is always present.
25147
25148@item func
25149The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25150be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25151
25152@item addr
25153The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25154
25155@item file
25156The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25157address. This field may be absent.
25158
25159@item line
25160The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25161may be absent.
25162
25163@item from
25164The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
25165corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
25166
25167@end table
25168
25169@node GDB/MI Thread Information
25170@subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
25171
25172Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
25173uses a tuple with the following fields:
25174
25175@table @code
25176@item id
25177The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
25178always present.
25179
25180@item target-id
25181Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
25182
25183@item details
25184Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
25185It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
25186frontend. This field is optional.
25187
25188@item state
25189Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
25190thread is presently running. This field is always present.
25191
25192@item core
25193The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
25194thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
25195@end table
25196
25197
25198@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25199@node GDB/MI Simple Examples
25200@section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
25201@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
25202
25203This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
25204the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
25205following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
25206the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
25207
25208Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
25209readability, they don't appear in the real output.
25210
25211@subheading Setting a Breakpoint
25212
25213Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
25214information of the breakpoint.
25215
25216@smallexample
25217-> -break-insert main
25218<- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25219 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25220 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
25221<- (gdb)
25222@end smallexample
25223
25224@subheading Program Execution
25225
25226Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
25227reason that execution stopped.
25228
25229@smallexample
25230-> -exec-run
25231<- ^running
25232<- (gdb)
25233<- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25234 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
25235 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
25236 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
25237<- (gdb)
25238-> -exec-continue
25239<- ^running
25240<- (gdb)
25241<- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25242<- (gdb)
25243@end smallexample
25244
25245@subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
25246
25247Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
25248
25249@smallexample
25250-> (gdb)
25251<- -gdb-exit
25252<- ^exit
25253@end smallexample
25254
25255Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
25256take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
25257performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
25258or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
25259@value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
25260fails to exit in reasonable time.
25261
25262@subheading A Bad Command
25263
25264Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
25265
25266@smallexample
25267-> -rubbish
25268<- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
25269<- (gdb)
25270@end smallexample
25271
25272
25273@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25274@node GDB/MI Command Description Format
25275@section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
25276
25277The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
25278commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
25279
25280@subheading Motivation
25281
25282The motivation for this collection of commands.
25283
25284@subheading Introduction
25285
25286A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
25287
25288@subheading Commands
25289
25290For each command in the block, the following is described:
25291
25292@subsubheading Synopsis
25293
25294@smallexample
25295 -command @var{args}@dots{}
25296@end smallexample
25297
25298@subsubheading Result
25299
25300@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25301
25302The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
25303
25304@subsubheading Example
25305
25306Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
25307not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
25308
25309
25310@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25311@node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
25312@section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
25313
25314@cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
25315@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
25316This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
25317breakpoints.
25318
25319@subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
25320@findex -break-after
25321
25322@subsubheading Synopsis
25323
25324@smallexample
25325 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25326@end smallexample
25327
25328The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25329hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25330the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25331@samp{-break-list} command below.
25332
25333@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25334
25335The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25336
25337@subsubheading Example
25338
25339@smallexample
25340(gdb)
25341-break-insert main
25342^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25343enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25344fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25345(gdb)
25346-break-after 1 3
25347~
25348^done
25349(gdb)
25350-break-list
25351^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25352hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25353@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25354@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25355@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25356@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25357@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25358body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25359addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25360line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25361(gdb)
25362@end smallexample
25363
25364@ignore
25365@subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25366@findex -break-catch
25367@end ignore
25368
25369@subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25370@findex -break-commands
25371
25372@subsubheading Synopsis
25373
25374@smallexample
25375 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25376@end smallexample
25377
25378Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25379@var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25380are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25381commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25382functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25383some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25384
25385@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25386
25387The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25388
25389@subsubheading Example
25390
25391@smallexample
25392(gdb)
25393-break-insert main
25394^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25395enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25396fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25397(gdb)
25398-break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25399^done
25400(gdb)
25401@end smallexample
25402
25403@subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25404@findex -break-condition
25405
25406@subsubheading Synopsis
25407
25408@smallexample
25409 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
25410@end smallexample
25411
25412Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
25413@var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
25414@samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
25415command below).
25416
25417@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25418
25419The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
25420
25421@subsubheading Example
25422
25423@smallexample
25424(gdb)
25425-break-condition 1 1
25426^done
25427(gdb)
25428-break-list
25429^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25430hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25431@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25432@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25433@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25434@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25435@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25436body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25437addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25438line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25439(gdb)
25440@end smallexample
25441
25442@subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
25443@findex -break-delete
25444
25445@subsubheading Synopsis
25446
25447@smallexample
25448 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25449@end smallexample
25450
25451Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25452list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25453
25454@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25455
25456The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25457
25458@subsubheading Example
25459
25460@smallexample
25461(gdb)
25462-break-delete 1
25463^done
25464(gdb)
25465-break-list
25466^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25467hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25468@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25469@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25470@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25471@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25472@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25473body=[]@}
25474(gdb)
25475@end smallexample
25476
25477@subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25478@findex -break-disable
25479
25480@subsubheading Synopsis
25481
25482@smallexample
25483 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25484@end smallexample
25485
25486Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25487break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25488
25489@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25490
25491The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25492
25493@subsubheading Example
25494
25495@smallexample
25496(gdb)
25497-break-disable 2
25498^done
25499(gdb)
25500-break-list
25501^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25502hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25503@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25504@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25505@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25506@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25507@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25508body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25509addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25510line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25511(gdb)
25512@end smallexample
25513
25514@subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25515@findex -break-enable
25516
25517@subsubheading Synopsis
25518
25519@smallexample
25520 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25521@end smallexample
25522
25523Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25524
25525@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25526
25527The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25528
25529@subsubheading Example
25530
25531@smallexample
25532(gdb)
25533-break-enable 2
25534^done
25535(gdb)
25536-break-list
25537^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25538hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25539@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25540@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25541@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25542@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25543@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25544body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25545addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25546line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25547(gdb)
25548@end smallexample
25549
25550@subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25551@findex -break-info
25552
25553@subsubheading Synopsis
25554
25555@smallexample
25556 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25557@end smallexample
25558
25559@c REDUNDANT???
25560Get information about a single breakpoint.
25561
25562@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25563
25564The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25565
25566@subsubheading Example
25567N.A.
25568
25569@subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25570@findex -break-insert
25571
25572@subsubheading Synopsis
25573
25574@smallexample
25575 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25576 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25577 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25578@end smallexample
25579
25580@noindent
25581If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25582
25583@itemize @bullet
25584@item function
25585@c @item +offset
25586@c @item -offset
25587@c @item linenum
25588@item filename:linenum
25589@item filename:function
25590@item *address
25591@end itemize
25592
25593The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25594
25595@table @samp
25596@item -t
25597Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25598@item -h
25599Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25600@item -c @var{condition}
25601Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25602@item -i @var{ignore-count}
25603Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25604@item -f
25605If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25606refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25607breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25608an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25609cannot be parsed.
25610@item -d
25611Create a disabled breakpoint.
25612@item -a
25613Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25614is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25615@end table
25616
25617@subsubheading Result
25618
25619The result is in the form:
25620
25621@smallexample
25622^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25623enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25624fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25625times="@var{times}"@}
25626@end smallexample
25627
25628@noindent
25629where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25630@var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25631inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25632this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25633and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25634(always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25635which use the same output).
25636
25637Note: this format is open to change.
25638@c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25639
25640@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25641
25642The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25643@samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25644
25645@subsubheading Example
25646
25647@smallexample
25648(gdb)
25649-break-insert main
25650^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25651fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25652(gdb)
25653-break-insert -t foo
25654^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25655fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25656(gdb)
25657-break-list
25658^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25659hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25660@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25661@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25662@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25663@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25664@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25665body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25666addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25667fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25668bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25669addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25670fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25671(gdb)
25672-break-insert -r foo.*
25673~int foo(int, int);
25674^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25675"fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25676(gdb)
25677@end smallexample
25678
25679@subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25680@findex -break-list
25681
25682@subsubheading Synopsis
25683
25684@smallexample
25685 -break-list
25686@end smallexample
25687
25688Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25689
25690@table @samp
25691@item Number
25692number of the breakpoint
25693@item Type
25694type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25695@item Disposition
25696should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25697or @samp{nokeep}
25698@item Enabled
25699is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25700@item Address
25701memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25702@item What
25703logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25704name, line number
25705@item Times
25706number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25707@end table
25708
25709If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25710@code{body} field is an empty list.
25711
25712@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25713
25714The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25715
25716@subsubheading Example
25717
25718@smallexample
25719(gdb)
25720-break-list
25721^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25722hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25723@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25724@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25725@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25726@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25727@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25728body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25729addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25730bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25731addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25732line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25733(gdb)
25734@end smallexample
25735
25736Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
25737
25738@smallexample
25739(gdb)
25740-break-list
25741^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25742hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25743@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25744@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25745@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25746@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25747@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25748body=[]@}
25749(gdb)
25750@end smallexample
25751
25752@subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
25753@findex -break-passcount
25754
25755@subsubheading Synopsis
25756
25757@smallexample
25758 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
25759@end smallexample
25760
25761Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
25762@var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
25763is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
25764command @samp{passcount}.
25765
25766@subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
25767@findex -break-watch
25768
25769@subsubheading Synopsis
25770
25771@smallexample
25772 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
25773@end smallexample
25774
25775Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
25776@dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
25777read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
25778option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
25779trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
25780either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
25781i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
25782@xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
25783
25784Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
25785breakpoints inserted.
25786
25787@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25788
25789The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
25790@samp{rwatch}.
25791
25792@subsubheading Example
25793
25794Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
25795
25796@smallexample
25797(gdb)
25798-break-watch x
25799^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
25800(gdb)
25801-exec-continue
25802^running
25803(gdb)
25804*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
25805value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
25806frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25807fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
25808(gdb)
25809@end smallexample
25810
25811Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
25812the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
25813for the watchpoint going out of scope.
25814
25815@smallexample
25816(gdb)
25817-break-watch C
25818^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
25819(gdb)
25820-exec-continue
25821^running
25822(gdb)
25823*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
25824wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25825frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25826file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25827fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25828(gdb)
25829-exec-continue
25830^running
25831(gdb)
25832*stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
25833frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25834value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25835file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25836fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25837(gdb)
25838@end smallexample
25839
25840Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
25841execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
25842deleted.
25843
25844@smallexample
25845(gdb)
25846-break-watch C
25847^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
25848(gdb)
25849-break-list
25850^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25851hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25852@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25853@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25854@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25855@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25856@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25857body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25858addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25859file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25860fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
25861bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25862enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
25863(gdb)
25864-exec-continue
25865^running
25866(gdb)
25867*stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
25868value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25869frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25870file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25871fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25872(gdb)
25873-break-list
25874^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25875hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25876@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25877@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25878@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25879@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25880@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25881body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25882addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25883file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25884fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
25885bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25886enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
25887(gdb)
25888-exec-continue
25889^running
25890^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
25891frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25892value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25893file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25894fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25895(gdb)
25896-break-list
25897^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25898hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25899@{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25900@{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25901@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25902@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25903@{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25904body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25905addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25906file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25907fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
25908times="1"@}]@}
25909(gdb)
25910@end smallexample
25911
25912@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25913@node GDB/MI Program Context
25914@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
25915
25916@subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
25917@findex -exec-arguments
25918
25919
25920@subsubheading Synopsis
25921
25922@smallexample
25923 -exec-arguments @var{args}
25924@end smallexample
25925
25926Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
25927@samp{-exec-run}.
25928
25929@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25930
25931The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
25932
25933@subsubheading Example
25934
25935@smallexample
25936(gdb)
25937-exec-arguments -v word
25938^done
25939(gdb)
25940@end smallexample
25941
25942
25943@ignore
25944@subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
25945@findex -exec-show-arguments
25946
25947@subsubheading Synopsis
25948
25949@smallexample
25950 -exec-show-arguments
25951@end smallexample
25952
25953Print the arguments of the program.
25954
25955@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25956
25957The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
25958
25959@subsubheading Example
25960N.A.
25961@end ignore
25962
25963
25964@subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
25965@findex -environment-cd
25966
25967@subsubheading Synopsis
25968
25969@smallexample
25970 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
25971@end smallexample
25972
25973Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
25974
25975@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25976
25977The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
25978
25979@subsubheading Example
25980
25981@smallexample
25982(gdb)
25983-environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25984^done
25985(gdb)
25986@end smallexample
25987
25988
25989@subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
25990@findex -environment-directory
25991
25992@subsubheading Synopsis
25993
25994@smallexample
25995 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25996@end smallexample
25997
25998Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
25999If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
26000search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
26001@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26002occurs as normal.
26003Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26004multiple directories in a single command
26005results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26006search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26007If blanks are needed as
26008part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26009the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26010by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26011character must not be used
26012in any directory name.
26013If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
26014
26015@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26016
26017The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
26018
26019@subsubheading Example
26020
26021@smallexample
26022(gdb)
26023-environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26024^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26025(gdb)
26026-environment-directory ""
26027^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26028(gdb)
26029-environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
26030^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
26031(gdb)
26032-environment-directory -r
26033^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
26034(gdb)
26035@end smallexample
26036
26037
26038@subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
26039@findex -environment-path
26040
26041@subsubheading Synopsis
26042
26043@smallexample
26044 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26045@end smallexample
26046
26047Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
26048If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
26049search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
26050supplied in addition to the
26051@samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26052occurs as normal.
26053Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26054multiple directories in a single command
26055results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26056search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26057If blanks are needed as
26058part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26059the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26060by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26061character must not be used
26062in any directory name.
26063If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
26064
26065
26066@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26067
26068The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
26069
26070@subsubheading Example
26071
26072@smallexample
26073(gdb)
26074-environment-path
26075^done,path="/usr/bin"
26076(gdb)
26077-environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
26078^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
26079(gdb)
26080-environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
26081^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
26082(gdb)
26083@end smallexample
26084
26085
26086@subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
26087@findex -environment-pwd
26088
26089@subsubheading Synopsis
26090
26091@smallexample
26092 -environment-pwd
26093@end smallexample
26094
26095Show the current working directory.
26096
26097@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26098
26099The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
26100
26101@subsubheading Example
26102
26103@smallexample
26104(gdb)
26105-environment-pwd
26106^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
26107(gdb)
26108@end smallexample
26109
26110@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26111@node GDB/MI Thread Commands
26112@section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
26113
26114
26115@subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
26116@findex -thread-info
26117
26118@subsubheading Synopsis
26119
26120@smallexample
26121 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
26122@end smallexample
26123
26124Reports information about either a specific thread, if
26125the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
26126threads. When printing information about all threads,
26127also reports the current thread.
26128
26129@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26130
26131The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
26132about all threads.
26133
26134@subsubheading Result
26135
26136The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
26137defined for a given thread:
26138
26139@table @samp
26140@item current
26141This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26142
26143@item id
26144The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
26145
26146@item target-id
26147The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
26148
26149@item details
26150Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
26151field is optional.
26152
26153@item name
26154The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
26155@code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
26156@value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
26157name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
26158field is omitted.
26159
26160@item frame
26161The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
26162
26163@item state
26164The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
26165values:
26166
26167@table @code
26168@item stopped
26169The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
26170threads.
26171
26172@item running
26173The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
26174threads.
26175
26176@end table
26177
26178@item core
26179If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
26180then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
26181
26182@end table
26183
26184@subsubheading Example
26185
26186@smallexample
26187-thread-info
26188^done,threads=[
26189@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26190 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
26191 args=[]@},state="running"@},
26192@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26193 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
26194 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26195 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
26196 state="running"@}],
26197current-thread-id="1"
26198(gdb)
26199@end smallexample
26200
26201@subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
26202@findex -thread-list-ids
26203
26204@subsubheading Synopsis
26205
26206@smallexample
26207 -thread-list-ids
26208@end smallexample
26209
26210Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
26211end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
26212
26213This command is retained for historical reasons, the
26214@code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
26215
26216@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26217
26218Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
26219
26220@subsubheading Example
26221
26222@smallexample
26223(gdb)
26224-thread-list-ids
26225^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26226current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
26227(gdb)
26228@end smallexample
26229
26230
26231@subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
26232@findex -thread-select
26233
26234@subsubheading Synopsis
26235
26236@smallexample
26237 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
26238@end smallexample
26239
26240Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
26241current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
26242
26243This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
26244@samp{--thread} option to each command.
26245
26246@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26247
26248The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
26249
26250@subsubheading Example
26251
26252@smallexample
26253(gdb)
26254-exec-next
26255^running
26256(gdb)
26257*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
26258file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
26259(gdb)
26260-thread-list-ids
26261^done,
26262thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26263number-of-threads="3"
26264(gdb)
26265-thread-select 3
26266^done,new-thread-id="3",
26267frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
26268args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
26269@{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
26270(gdb)
26271@end smallexample
26272
26273@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26274@node GDB/MI Program Execution
26275@section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
26276
26277These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
26278record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
26279asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
26280other cases.
26281
26282@subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
26283@findex -exec-continue
26284
26285@subsubheading Synopsis
26286
26287@smallexample
26288 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
26289@end smallexample
26290
26291Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
26292to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
26293@samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
26294it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
26295@itemize @bullet
26296@item
26297breakpoints or watchpoints
26298@item
26299signals or exceptions
26300@item
26301the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
26302@item
26303the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
26304@end itemize
26305In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
26306Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
26307value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
26308specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
26309ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
26310specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
26311
26312@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26313
26314The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
26315
26316@subsubheading Example
26317
26318@smallexample
26319-exec-continue
26320^running
26321(gdb)
26322@@Hello world
26323*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
26324func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
26325line="13"@}
26326(gdb)
26327@end smallexample
26328
26329
26330@subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
26331@findex -exec-finish
26332
26333@subsubheading Synopsis
26334
26335@smallexample
26336 -exec-finish [--reverse]
26337@end smallexample
26338
26339Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
26340function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
26341If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
26342execution of the inferior program until the point where current
26343function was called.
26344
26345@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26346
26347The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
26348
26349@subsubheading Example
26350
26351Function returning @code{void}.
26352
26353@smallexample
26354-exec-finish
26355^running
26356(gdb)
26357@@hello from foo
26358*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26359file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
26360(gdb)
26361@end smallexample
26362
26363Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
26364@value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
26365value itself.
26366
26367@smallexample
26368-exec-finish
26369^running
26370(gdb)
26371*stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
26372args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
26373file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26374gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
26375(gdb)
26376@end smallexample
26377
26378
26379@subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
26380@findex -exec-interrupt
26381
26382@subsubheading Synopsis
26383
26384@smallexample
26385 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
26386@end smallexample
26387
26388Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
26389associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
26390that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
26391appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
26392interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
26393
26394Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
26395asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
26396@samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
26397reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
26398
26399In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
26400All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
26401@samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
26402option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
26403
26404@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26405
26406The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
26407
26408@subsubheading Example
26409
26410@smallexample
26411(gdb)
26412111-exec-continue
26413111^running
26414
26415(gdb)
26416222-exec-interrupt
26417222^done
26418(gdb)
26419111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
26420frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26421fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
26422(gdb)
26423
26424(gdb)
26425-exec-interrupt
26426^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
26427(gdb)
26428@end smallexample
26429
26430@subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
26431@findex -exec-jump
26432
26433@subsubheading Synopsis
26434
26435@smallexample
26436 -exec-jump @var{location}
26437@end smallexample
26438
26439Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
26440parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
26441different forms of @var{location}.
26442
26443@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26444
26445The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
26446
26447@subsubheading Example
26448
26449@smallexample
26450-exec-jump foo.c:10
26451*running,thread-id="all"
26452^running
26453@end smallexample
26454
26455
26456@subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
26457@findex -exec-next
26458
26459@subsubheading Synopsis
26460
26461@smallexample
26462 -exec-next [--reverse]
26463@end smallexample
26464
26465Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26466of the next source line is reached.
26467
26468If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26469of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
26470source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
26471function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
26472source line where the function was called.
26473
26474
26475@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26476
26477The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
26478
26479@subsubheading Example
26480
26481@smallexample
26482-exec-next
26483^running
26484(gdb)
26485*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
26486(gdb)
26487@end smallexample
26488
26489
26490@subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26491@findex -exec-next-instruction
26492
26493@subsubheading Synopsis
26494
26495@smallexample
26496 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26497@end smallexample
26498
26499Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26500call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26501instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26502printed as well.
26503
26504If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26505of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26506previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26507it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26508(from the current stack frame) is reached.
26509
26510@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26511
26512The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26513
26514@subsubheading Example
26515
26516@smallexample
26517(gdb)
26518-exec-next-instruction
26519^running
26520
26521(gdb)
26522*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26523addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26524(gdb)
26525@end smallexample
26526
26527
26528@subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26529@findex -exec-return
26530
26531@subsubheading Synopsis
26532
26533@smallexample
26534 -exec-return
26535@end smallexample
26536
26537Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26538Displays the new current frame.
26539
26540@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26541
26542The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26543
26544@subsubheading Example
26545
26546@smallexample
26547(gdb)
26548200-break-insert callee4
26549200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26550file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26551(gdb)
26552000-exec-run
26553000^running
26554(gdb)
26555000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26556frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26557file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26558fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26559(gdb)
26560205-break-delete
26561205^done
26562(gdb)
26563111-exec-return
26564111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26565args=[@{name="strarg",
26566value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26567file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26568fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26569(gdb)
26570@end smallexample
26571
26572
26573@subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26574@findex -exec-run
26575
26576@subsubheading Synopsis
26577
26578@smallexample
26579 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26580@end smallexample
26581
26582Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26583executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26584exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26585the program has exited exceptionally.
26586
26587When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26588@samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26589group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26590If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26591
26592@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26593
26594The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26595
26596@subsubheading Examples
26597
26598@smallexample
26599(gdb)
26600-break-insert main
26601^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26602(gdb)
26603-exec-run
26604^running
26605(gdb)
26606*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26607frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26608fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26609(gdb)
26610@end smallexample
26611
26612@noindent
26613Program exited normally:
26614
26615@smallexample
26616(gdb)
26617-exec-run
26618^running
26619(gdb)
26620x = 55
26621*stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26622(gdb)
26623@end smallexample
26624
26625@noindent
26626Program exited exceptionally:
26627
26628@smallexample
26629(gdb)
26630-exec-run
26631^running
26632(gdb)
26633x = 55
26634*stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26635(gdb)
26636@end smallexample
26637
26638Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26639@code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26640
26641@smallexample
26642(gdb)
26643*stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26644signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26645@end smallexample
26646
26647
26648@c @subheading -exec-signal
26649
26650
26651@subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26652@findex -exec-step
26653
26654@subsubheading Synopsis
26655
26656@smallexample
26657 -exec-step [--reverse]
26658@end smallexample
26659
26660Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26661of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26662function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26663function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26664execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26665previously executed source line.
26666
26667@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26668
26669The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26670
26671@subsubheading Example
26672
26673Stepping into a function:
26674
26675@smallexample
26676-exec-step
26677^running
26678(gdb)
26679*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26680frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26681@{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26682fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26683(gdb)
26684@end smallexample
26685
26686Regular stepping:
26687
26688@smallexample
26689-exec-step
26690^running
26691(gdb)
26692*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26693(gdb)
26694@end smallexample
26695
26696
26697@subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26698@findex -exec-step-instruction
26699
26700@subsubheading Synopsis
26701
26702@smallexample
26703 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26704@end smallexample
26705
26706Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26707@samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26708inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26709The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26710whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26711former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26712as well.
26713
26714@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26715
26716The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26717
26718@subsubheading Example
26719
26720@smallexample
26721(gdb)
26722-exec-step-instruction
26723^running
26724
26725(gdb)
26726*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26727frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26728fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26729(gdb)
26730-exec-step-instruction
26731^running
26732
26733(gdb)
26734*stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26735frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26736fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26737(gdb)
26738@end smallexample
26739
26740
26741@subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
26742@findex -exec-until
26743
26744@subsubheading Synopsis
26745
26746@smallexample
26747 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
26748@end smallexample
26749
26750Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
26751argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
26752until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
26753reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
26754
26755@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26756
26757The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
26758
26759@subsubheading Example
26760
26761@smallexample
26762(gdb)
26763-exec-until recursive2.c:6
26764^running
26765(gdb)
26766x = 55
26767*stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26768file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
26769(gdb)
26770@end smallexample
26771
26772@ignore
26773@subheading -file-clear
26774Is this going away????
26775@end ignore
26776
26777@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26778@node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
26779@section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
26780
26781
26782@subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
26783@findex -stack-info-frame
26784
26785@subsubheading Synopsis
26786
26787@smallexample
26788 -stack-info-frame
26789@end smallexample
26790
26791Get info on the selected frame.
26792
26793@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26794
26795The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
26796(without arguments).
26797
26798@subsubheading Example
26799
26800@smallexample
26801(gdb)
26802-stack-info-frame
26803^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26804file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26805fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
26806(gdb)
26807@end smallexample
26808
26809@subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
26810@findex -stack-info-depth
26811
26812@subsubheading Synopsis
26813
26814@smallexample
26815 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
26816@end smallexample
26817
26818Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
26819is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
26820
26821@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26822
26823There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26824
26825@subsubheading Example
26826
26827For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
26828
26829@smallexample
26830(gdb)
26831-stack-info-depth
26832^done,depth="12"
26833(gdb)
26834-stack-info-depth 4
26835^done,depth="4"
26836(gdb)
26837-stack-info-depth 12
26838^done,depth="12"
26839(gdb)
26840-stack-info-depth 11
26841^done,depth="11"
26842(gdb)
26843-stack-info-depth 13
26844^done,depth="12"
26845(gdb)
26846@end smallexample
26847
26848@subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
26849@findex -stack-list-arguments
26850
26851@subsubheading Synopsis
26852
26853@smallexample
26854 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
26855 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26856@end smallexample
26857
26858Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
26859and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
26860@var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
26861call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
26862at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
26863larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
26864@var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
26865which case only existing frames will be returned.
26866
26867If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26868the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26869values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26870type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26871structures and unions.
26872
26873Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
26874deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26875
26876@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26877
26878@value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
26879@samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
26880functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
26881
26882@subsubheading Example
26883
26884@smallexample
26885(gdb)
26886-stack-list-frames
26887^done,
26888stack=[
26889frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26890file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26891fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
26892frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26893file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26894fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
26895frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
26896file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26897fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
26898frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
26899file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26900fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
26901frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
26902file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26903fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
26904(gdb)
26905-stack-list-arguments 0
26906^done,
26907stack-args=[
26908frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26909frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
26910frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
26911frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
26912frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26913(gdb)
26914-stack-list-arguments 1
26915^done,
26916stack-args=[
26917frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26918frame=@{level="1",
26919 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26920frame=@{level="2",args=[
26921@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26922@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26923@{frame=@{level="3",args=[
26924@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26925@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
26926@{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
26927frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26928(gdb)
26929-stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
26930^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
26931(gdb)
26932-stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
26933^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
26934args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26935@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
26936(gdb)
26937@end smallexample
26938
26939@c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
26940
26941
26942@subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
26943@findex -stack-list-frames
26944
26945@subsubheading Synopsis
26946
26947@smallexample
26948 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26949@end smallexample
26950
26951List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
26952following info:
26953
26954@table @samp
26955@item @var{level}
26956The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
26957@item @var{addr}
26958The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
26959@item @var{func}
26960Function name.
26961@item @var{file}
26962File name of the source file where the function lives.
26963@item @var{fullname}
26964The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
26965@item @var{line}
26966Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
26967@item @var{from}
26968The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
26969if the frame's function is not known.
26970@end table
26971
26972If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
26973whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
26974levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
26975are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
26976an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
26977frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
26978actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
26979
26980@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26981
26982The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
26983
26984@subsubheading Example
26985
26986Full stack backtrace:
26987
26988@smallexample
26989(gdb)
26990-stack-list-frames
26991^done,stack=
26992[frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
26993 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
26994frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26995 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26996frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26997 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26998frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26999 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27000frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27001 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27002frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27003 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27004frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27005 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27006frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27007 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27008frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27009 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27010frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27011 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27012frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27013 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27014frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
27015 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
27016(gdb)
27017@end smallexample
27018
27019Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
27020
27021@smallexample
27022(gdb)
27023-stack-list-frames 3 5
27024^done,stack=
27025[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27026 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27027frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27028 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27029frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27030 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27031(gdb)
27032@end smallexample
27033
27034Show a single frame:
27035
27036@smallexample
27037(gdb)
27038-stack-list-frames 3 3
27039^done,stack=
27040[frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27041 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27042(gdb)
27043@end smallexample
27044
27045
27046@subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
27047@findex -stack-list-locals
27048
27049@subsubheading Synopsis
27050
27051@smallexample
27052 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
27053@end smallexample
27054
27055Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
27056@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27057the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27058values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27059type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27060structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
27061display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
27062other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
27063more detail.
27064
27065This command is deprecated in favor of the
27066@samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27067
27068@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27069
27070@samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
27071
27072@subsubheading Example
27073
27074@smallexample
27075(gdb)
27076-stack-list-locals 0
27077^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
27078(gdb)
27079-stack-list-locals --all-values
27080^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
27081 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
27082-stack-list-locals --simple-values
27083^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
27084 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
27085(gdb)
27086@end smallexample
27087
27088@subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
27089@findex -stack-list-variables
27090
27091@subsubheading Synopsis
27092
27093@smallexample
27094 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
27095@end smallexample
27096
27097Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
27098@var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27099the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27100values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27101type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27102structures and unions.
27103
27104@subsubheading Example
27105
27106@smallexample
27107(gdb)
27108-stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
27109^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
27110(gdb)
27111@end smallexample
27112
27113
27114@subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
27115@findex -stack-select-frame
27116
27117@subsubheading Synopsis
27118
27119@smallexample
27120 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
27121@end smallexample
27122
27123Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
27124the stack.
27125
27126This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
27127option to every command.
27128
27129@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27130
27131The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
27132@samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
27133
27134@subsubheading Example
27135
27136@smallexample
27137(gdb)
27138-stack-select-frame 2
27139^done
27140(gdb)
27141@end smallexample
27142
27143@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27144@node GDB/MI Variable Objects
27145@section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
27146
27147@ignore
27148
27149@subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27150
27151For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
27152expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
27153used by @code{Insight}.
27154
27155The two main reasons for that are:
27156
27157@enumerate 1
27158@item
27159It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
27160
27161@item
27162It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
27163now).
27164@end enumerate
27165
27166The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
27167slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
27168describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
27169hints about their use.
27170
27171@emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
27172expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
27173least, the following operations:
27174
27175@itemize @bullet
27176@item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
27177@item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
27178@item @code{-stack-list-locals}
27179@item @code{-stack-select-frame}
27180@end itemize
27181
27182@end ignore
27183
27184@subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
27185
27186@cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27187
27188Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
27189changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
27190work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
27191simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
27192is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
27193frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
27194expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
27195expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
27196variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
27197operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
27198object, or to change display format.
27199
27200Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
27201that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
27202a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
27203element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
27204children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
27205leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
27206objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
27207is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
27208child will be created.
27209
27210For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
27211string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
27212obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
27213that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
27214contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
27215
27216A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
27217the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
27218variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
27219operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
27220be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
27221objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
27222real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
27223variables that frontend has created.
27224
27225The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
27226might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
27227and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
27228relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
27229to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
27230visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
27231called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
27232implicitly updated.
27233
27234Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
27235fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
27236object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
27237variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
27238variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
27239expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
27240frame. Consider this example:
27241
27242@smallexample
27243void do_work(...)
27244@{
27245 struct work_state state;
27246
27247 if (...)
27248 do_work(...);
27249@}
27250@end smallexample
27251
27252If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
27253this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
27254object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
27255@code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
27256object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
27257
27258If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
27259refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
27260thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
27261variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
27262thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
27263and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
27264
27265The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
27266access this functionality:
27267
27268@multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
27269@item @strong{Operation}
27270@tab @strong{Description}
27271
27272@item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
27273@tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
27274@item @code{-var-create}
27275@tab create a variable object
27276@item @code{-var-delete}
27277@tab delete the variable object and/or its children
27278@item @code{-var-set-format}
27279@tab set the display format of this variable
27280@item @code{-var-show-format}
27281@tab show the display format of this variable
27282@item @code{-var-info-num-children}
27283@tab tells how many children this object has
27284@item @code{-var-list-children}
27285@tab return a list of the object's children
27286@item @code{-var-info-type}
27287@tab show the type of this variable object
27288@item @code{-var-info-expression}
27289@tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
27290@item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
27291@tab print full expression that this variable object represents
27292@item @code{-var-show-attributes}
27293@tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
27294@item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
27295@tab get the value of this variable
27296@item @code{-var-assign}
27297@tab set the value of this variable
27298@item @code{-var-update}
27299@tab update the variable and its children
27300@item @code{-var-set-frozen}
27301@tab set frozeness attribute
27302@item @code{-var-set-update-range}
27303@tab set range of children to display on update
27304@end multitable
27305
27306In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
27307how it can be used.
27308
27309@subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
27310
27311@subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
27312@findex -enable-pretty-printing
27313
27314@smallexample
27315-enable-pretty-printing
27316@end smallexample
27317
27318@value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
27319MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
27320implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27321request that this functionality be enabled.
27322
27323Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27324
27325Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27326this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27327
27328This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
27329may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
27330
27331@subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
27332@findex -var-create
27333
27334@subsubheading Synopsis
27335
27336@smallexample
27337 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
27338 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
27339@end smallexample
27340
27341This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
27342a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
27343register.
27344
27345The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
27346referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
27347system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
27348unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
27349The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
27350
27351The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
27352specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
27353frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
27354object must be created.
27355
27356@var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
27357begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
27358
27359@itemize @bullet
27360@item
27361@samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
27362
27363@item
27364@samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
27365
27366@item
27367@samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
27368@end itemize
27369
27370@cindex dynamic varobj
27371A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
27372case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
27373have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
27374@code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
27375will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
27376compatibility for existing clients.
27377
27378@subsubheading Result
27379
27380This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
27381are:
27382
27383@table @samp
27384@item name
27385The name of the varobj.
27386
27387@item numchild
27388The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
27389reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
27390@samp{has_more} attribute.
27391
27392@item value
27393The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
27394aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
27395will not be interesting.
27396
27397@item type
27398The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
27399would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
27400
27401@item thread-id
27402If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
27403thread's identifier.
27404
27405@item has_more
27406For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
27407children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
27408
27409@item dynamic
27410This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27411varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27412then this attribute will not be present.
27413
27414@item displayhint
27415A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27416value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27417@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27418@end table
27419
27420Typical output will look like this:
27421
27422@smallexample
27423 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
27424 has_more="@var{has_more}"
27425@end smallexample
27426
27427
27428@subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
27429@findex -var-delete
27430
27431@subsubheading Synopsis
27432
27433@smallexample
27434 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
27435@end smallexample
27436
27437Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
27438With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
27439
27440Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
27441
27442
27443@subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
27444@findex -var-set-format
27445
27446@subsubheading Synopsis
27447
27448@smallexample
27449 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
27450@end smallexample
27451
27452Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
27453@var{format-spec}.
27454
27455@anchor{-var-set-format}
27456The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
27457
27458@smallexample
27459 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
27460 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
27461@end smallexample
27462
27463The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
27464based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
27465for pointers, etc.).
27466
27467For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
27468variable itself, and the children are not affected.
27469
27470@subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
27471@findex -var-show-format
27472
27473@subsubheading Synopsis
27474
27475@smallexample
27476 -var-show-format @var{name}
27477@end smallexample
27478
27479Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
27480
27481@smallexample
27482 @var{format} @expansion{}
27483 @var{format-spec}
27484@end smallexample
27485
27486
27487@subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
27488@findex -var-info-num-children
27489
27490@subsubheading Synopsis
27491
27492@smallexample
27493 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27494@end smallexample
27495
27496Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27497
27498@smallexample
27499 numchild=@var{n}
27500@end smallexample
27501
27502Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27503It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27504be available.
27505
27506
27507@subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27508@findex -var-list-children
27509
27510@subsubheading Synopsis
27511
27512@smallexample
27513 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27514@end smallexample
27515@anchor{-var-list-children}
27516
27517Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27518create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27519a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27520@code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27521@var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27522values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27523value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27524and unions.
27525
27526@var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27527to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27528reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27529at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27530reported.
27531
27532If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27533@code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27534For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27535intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27536update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27537front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27538then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27539different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27540the visible items.
27541
27542For each child the following results are returned:
27543
27544@table @var
27545
27546@item name
27547Name of the variable object created for this child.
27548
27549@item exp
27550The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27551For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27552
27553For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27554expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27555
27556For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27557designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27558@samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27559type and value are not present.
27560
27561A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27562pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27563available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27564
27565@item numchild
27566Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
275670.
27568
27569@item type
27570The type of the child.
27571
27572@item value
27573If values were requested, this is the value.
27574
27575@item thread-id
27576If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27577Otherwise this result is not present.
27578
27579@item frozen
27580If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27581@end table
27582
27583The result may have its own attributes:
27584
27585@table @samp
27586@item displayhint
27587A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27588value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27589@code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27590
27591@item has_more
27592This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27593remaining after the end of the selected range.
27594@end table
27595
27596@subsubheading Example
27597
27598@smallexample
27599(gdb)
27600 -var-list-children n
27601 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27602 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27603(gdb)
27604 -var-list-children --all-values n
27605 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27606 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27607@end smallexample
27608
27609
27610@subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27611@findex -var-info-type
27612
27613@subsubheading Synopsis
27614
27615@smallexample
27616 -var-info-type @var{name}
27617@end smallexample
27618
27619Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27620returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27621@value{GDBN} CLI:
27622
27623@smallexample
27624 type=@var{typename}
27625@end smallexample
27626
27627
27628@subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27629@findex -var-info-expression
27630
27631@subsubheading Synopsis
27632
27633@smallexample
27634 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27635@end smallexample
27636
27637Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27638variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27639not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27640
27641For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27642@code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27643
27644@smallexample
27645(gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27646^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27647@end smallexample
27648
27649@noindent
27650Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27651
27652Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27653includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27654is of limited use.
27655
27656@subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27657@findex -var-info-path-expression
27658
27659@subsubheading Synopsis
27660
27661@smallexample
27662 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27663@end smallexample
27664
27665Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27666context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27667Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27668result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27669the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27670watchpoint from a variable object.
27671
27672This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27673and will give an error when invoked on one.
27674
27675For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27676@code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27677@code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27678@code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27679@code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27680@smallexample
27681(gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27682^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27683@end smallexample
27684
27685@subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27686@findex -var-show-attributes
27687
27688@subsubheading Synopsis
27689
27690@smallexample
27691 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27692@end smallexample
27693
27694List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27695
27696@smallexample
27697 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27698@end smallexample
27699
27700@noindent
27701where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27702
27703@subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27704@findex -var-evaluate-expression
27705
27706@subsubheading Synopsis
27707
27708@smallexample
27709 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27710@end smallexample
27711
27712Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27713object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27714can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27715this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27716(@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27717the current display format will be used. The current display format
27718can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27719
27720@smallexample
27721 value=@var{value}
27722@end smallexample
27723
27724Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27725before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27726
27727@subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27728@findex -var-assign
27729
27730@subsubheading Synopsis
27731
27732@smallexample
27733 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27734@end smallexample
27735
27736Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
27737by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
27738value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
27739subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
27740
27741@subsubheading Example
27742
27743@smallexample
27744(gdb)
27745-var-assign var1 3
27746^done,value="3"
27747(gdb)
27748-var-update *
27749^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
27750(gdb)
27751@end smallexample
27752
27753@subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
27754@findex -var-update
27755
27756@subsubheading Synopsis
27757
27758@smallexample
27759 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
27760@end smallexample
27761
27762Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
27763@var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
27764list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
27765be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
27766@code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
27767@code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
27768object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
27769for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
27770@var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
27771names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
27772as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
27773recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
27774number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
27775
27776With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
27777currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
27778diagnostic.
27779
27780If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
27781only the selected range of children will be reported.
27782
27783@code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
27784@samp{changelist}.
27785
27786Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
27787
27788@table @samp
27789@item name
27790The name of the varobj.
27791
27792@item value
27793If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
27794present and will hold the value of the varobj.
27795
27796@item in_scope
27797@anchor{-var-update}
27798This field is a string which may take one of three values:
27799
27800@table @code
27801@item "true"
27802The variable object's current value is valid.
27803
27804@item "false"
27805The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
27806hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
27807scope.
27808
27809@item "invalid"
27810The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
27811This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
27812either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
27813command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
27814objects.
27815@end table
27816
27817In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
27818be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
27819
27820@item type_changed
27821This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
27822changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
27823be @samp{false}.
27824
27825@item new_type
27826If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
27827hold the new type.
27828
27829@item new_num_children
27830For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
27831type changed, this will be the new number of children.
27832
27833The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
27834valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
27835@value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
27836instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
27837children which may be available.
27838
27839The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
27840number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
27841detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
27842only happen at the end of the update range).
27843
27844@item displayhint
27845The display hint, if any.
27846
27847@item has_more
27848This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
27849available outside the varobj's update range.
27850
27851@item dynamic
27852This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27853varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27854then this attribute will not be present.
27855
27856@item new_children
27857If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
27858update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
27859be listed in this attribute.
27860@end table
27861
27862@subsubheading Example
27863
27864@smallexample
27865(gdb)
27866-var-assign var1 3
27867^done,value="3"
27868(gdb)
27869-var-update --all-values var1
27870^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
27871type_changed="false"@}]
27872(gdb)
27873@end smallexample
27874
27875@subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
27876@findex -var-set-frozen
27877@anchor{-var-set-frozen}
27878
27879@subsubheading Synopsis
27880
27881@smallexample
27882 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
27883@end smallexample
27884
27885Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
27886@var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
27887frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
27888frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
27889implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
27890a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
27891@code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
27892values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
27893implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
27894Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
27895@code{-var-update} does.
27896
27897@subsubheading Example
27898
27899@smallexample
27900(gdb)
27901-var-set-frozen V 1
27902^done
27903(gdb)
27904@end smallexample
27905
27906@subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
27907@findex -var-set-update-range
27908@anchor{-var-set-update-range}
27909
27910@subsubheading Synopsis
27911
27912@smallexample
27913 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
27914@end smallexample
27915
27916Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
27917@code{-var-update}.
27918
27919@var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
27920@var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
27921children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
27922(zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
27923
27924@subsubheading Example
27925
27926@smallexample
27927(gdb)
27928-var-set-update-range V 1 2
27929^done
27930@end smallexample
27931
27932@subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
27933@findex -var-set-visualizer
27934@anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
27935
27936@subsubheading Synopsis
27937
27938@smallexample
27939 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
27940@end smallexample
27941
27942Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
27943
27944@var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
27945@samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
27946
27947If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
27948This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
27949single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
27950the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
27951Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
27952When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
27953pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
27954
27955The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
27956select a visualizer by following the built-in process
27957(@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
27958a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
27959
27960This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
27961command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
27962can be used to check this.
27963
27964@subsubheading Example
27965
27966Resetting the visualizer:
27967
27968@smallexample
27969(gdb)
27970-var-set-visualizer V None
27971^done
27972@end smallexample
27973
27974Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
27975
27976@smallexample
27977(gdb)
27978-var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
27979^done
27980@end smallexample
27981
27982Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
27983can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
27984
27985@smallexample
27986(gdb)
27987-var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
27988^done
27989@end smallexample
27990
27991@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27992@node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
27993@section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
27994
27995@cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
27996@cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
27997This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
27998examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
27999
28000@c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
28001@c @subheading -data-assign
28002@c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
28003@c @subsubheading GDB Command
28004@c set variable
28005@c @subsubheading Example
28006@c N.A.
28007
28008@subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
28009@findex -data-disassemble
28010
28011@subsubheading Synopsis
28012
28013@smallexample
28014 -data-disassemble
28015 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
28016 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
28017 -- @var{mode}
28018@end smallexample
28019
28020@noindent
28021Where:
28022
28023@table @samp
28024@item @var{start-addr}
28025is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
28026@item @var{end-addr}
28027is the end address
28028@item @var{filename}
28029is the name of the file to disassemble
28030@item @var{linenum}
28031is the line number to disassemble around
28032@item @var{lines}
28033is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
28034the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
28035specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
28036@var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
28037@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
28038displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
28039@var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
28040are displayed.
28041@item @var{mode}
28042is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
28043disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
28044mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
28045@end table
28046
28047@subsubheading Result
28048
28049The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
28050
28051@itemize @bullet
28052@item Address
28053@item Func-name
28054@item Offset
28055@item Instruction
28056@end itemize
28057
28058Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
28059directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
28060
28061@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28062
28063There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
28064
28065@subsubheading Example
28066
28067Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
28068
28069@smallexample
28070(gdb)
28071-data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
28072^done,
28073asm_insns=[
28074@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28075inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28076@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28077inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28078@{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
28079inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
28080@{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
28081inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28082@{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
28083inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
28084(gdb)
28085@end smallexample
28086
28087Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
28088@code{main}.
28089
28090@smallexample
28091-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
28092^done,asm_insns=[
28093@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28094inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28095@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28096inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28097@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28098inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28099[@dots{}]
28100@{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
28101@{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
28102(gdb)
28103@end smallexample
28104
28105Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
28106
28107@smallexample
28108(gdb)
28109-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
28110^done,asm_insns=[
28111@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28112inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28113@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28114inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28115@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28116inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
28117(gdb)
28118@end smallexample
28119
28120Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
28121
28122@smallexample
28123(gdb)
28124-data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
28125^done,asm_insns=[
28126src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
28127file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28128 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28129@{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28130inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
28131src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
28132file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28133 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28134@{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28135inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28136@{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28137inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
28138(gdb)
28139@end smallexample
28140
28141
28142@subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
28143@findex -data-evaluate-expression
28144
28145@subsubheading Synopsis
28146
28147@smallexample
28148 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
28149@end smallexample
28150
28151Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
28152inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
28153If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
28154
28155@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28156
28157The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
28158@samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
28159@samp{gdb_eval} command.
28160
28161@subsubheading Example
28162
28163In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
28164@dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
28165Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
28166output.
28167
28168@smallexample
28169211-data-evaluate-expression A
28170211^done,value="1"
28171(gdb)
28172311-data-evaluate-expression &A
28173311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
28174(gdb)
28175411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
28176411^done,value="4"
28177(gdb)
28178511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
28179511^done,value="4"
28180(gdb)
28181@end smallexample
28182
28183
28184@subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
28185@findex -data-list-changed-registers
28186
28187@subsubheading Synopsis
28188
28189@smallexample
28190 -data-list-changed-registers
28191@end smallexample
28192
28193Display a list of the registers that have changed.
28194
28195@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28196
28197@value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
28198has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
28199
28200@subsubheading Example
28201
28202On a PPC MBX board:
28203
28204@smallexample
28205(gdb)
28206-exec-continue
28207^running
28208
28209(gdb)
28210*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
28211func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
28212line="5"@}
28213(gdb)
28214-data-list-changed-registers
28215^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
28216"10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
28217"24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
28218(gdb)
28219@end smallexample
28220
28221
28222@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
28223@findex -data-list-register-names
28224
28225@subsubheading Synopsis
28226
28227@smallexample
28228 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
28229@end smallexample
28230
28231Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
28232are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
28233integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
28234names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
28235consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
28236include empty register names.
28237
28238@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28239
28240@value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
28241@samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
28242corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
28243
28244@subsubheading Example
28245
28246For the PPC MBX board:
28247@smallexample
28248(gdb)
28249-data-list-register-names
28250^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
28251"r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
28252"r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
28253"r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
28254"f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
28255"f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
28256"", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
28257(gdb)
28258-data-list-register-names 1 2 3
28259^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
28260(gdb)
28261@end smallexample
28262
28263@subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
28264@findex -data-list-register-values
28265
28266@subsubheading Synopsis
28267
28268@smallexample
28269 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
28270@end smallexample
28271
28272Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
28273which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
28274list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
28275numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
28276
28277Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
28278
28279@table @code
28280@item x
28281Hexadecimal
28282@item o
28283Octal
28284@item t
28285Binary
28286@item d
28287Decimal
28288@item r
28289Raw
28290@item N
28291Natural
28292@end table
28293
28294@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28295
28296The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
28297all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
28298
28299@subsubheading Example
28300
28301For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
28302don't appear in the actual output):
28303
28304@smallexample
28305(gdb)
28306-data-list-register-values r 64 65
28307^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28308@{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
28309(gdb)
28310-data-list-register-values x
28311^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
28312@{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28313@{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
28314@{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
28315@{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
28316@{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
28317@{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
28318@{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
28319@{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
28320@{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28321@{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
28322@{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
28323@{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
28324@{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
28325@{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
28326@{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
28327@{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
28328@{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
28329@{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
28330@{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
28331@{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
28332@{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
28333@{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
28334@{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
28335@{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
28336@{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
28337@{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
28338@{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
28339@{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
28340@{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
28341@{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
28342@{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
28343@{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28344@{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
28345@{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
28346@{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
28347(gdb)
28348@end smallexample
28349
28350
28351@subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
28352@findex -data-read-memory
28353
28354This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
28355
28356@subsubheading Synopsis
28357
28358@smallexample
28359 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28360 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
28361 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
28362@end smallexample
28363
28364@noindent
28365where:
28366
28367@table @samp
28368@item @var{address}
28369An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28370read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28371quoted using the C convention.
28372
28373@item @var{word-format}
28374The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
28375same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
28376,Output Formats}).
28377
28378@item @var{word-size}
28379The size of each memory word in bytes.
28380
28381@item @var{nr-rows}
28382The number of rows in the output table.
28383
28384@item @var{nr-cols}
28385The number of columns in the output table.
28386
28387@item @var{aschar}
28388If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
28389value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
28390member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
28391characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
28392
28393@item @var{byte-offset}
28394An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
28395@end table
28396
28397This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
28398@var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
28399@code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
28400(returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
28401of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
28402using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
28403in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
28404@samp{addr}.
28405
28406The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
28407@samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
28408@samp{prev-page}.
28409
28410@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28411
28412The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
28413@samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
28414
28415@subsubheading Example
28416
28417Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
28418@code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
28419word. Display each word in hex.
28420
28421@smallexample
28422(gdb)
284239-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
284249^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
28425next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
28426prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
28427@{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
28428@{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
28429@{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
28430(gdb)
28431@end smallexample
28432
28433Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
28434display as a single word formatted in decimal.
28435
28436@smallexample
28437(gdb)
284385-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
284395^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
28440next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
28441next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
28442@{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
28443(gdb)
28444@end smallexample
28445
28446Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
28447as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
28448used as the non-printable character.
28449
28450@smallexample
28451(gdb)
284524-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
284534^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
28454next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
28455next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
28456@{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28457@{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28458@{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28459@{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28460@{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
28461@{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
28462@{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
28463@{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
28464(gdb)
28465@end smallexample
28466
28467@subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
28468@findex -data-read-memory-bytes
28469
28470@subsubheading Synopsis
28471
28472@smallexample
28473 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28474 @var{address} @var{count}
28475@end smallexample
28476
28477@noindent
28478where:
28479
28480@table @samp
28481@item @var{address}
28482An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28483read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28484quoted using the C convention.
28485
28486@item @var{count}
28487The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
28488
28489@item @var{byte-offset}
28490The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28491reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28492so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28493perform address arithmetics itself.
28494
28495@end table
28496
28497This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28498specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28499map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28500Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28501regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28502@value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28503
28504In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28505and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28506every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28507attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28508of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28509well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28510has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28511@value{GDBN} will not read it.
28512
28513The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28514the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28515list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28516and has the following fields:
28517
28518@table @code
28519@item begin
28520The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28521
28522@item end
28523The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28524
28525@item offset
28526The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28527the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28528
28529@item contents
28530The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28531
28532@end table
28533
28534
28535
28536@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28537
28538The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28539
28540@subsubheading Example
28541
28542@smallexample
28543(gdb)
28544-data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28545^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28546 end="0xbffff15e",
28547 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28548(gdb)
28549@end smallexample
28550
28551
28552@subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28553@findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28554
28555@subsubheading Synopsis
28556
28557@smallexample
28558 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28559@end smallexample
28560
28561@noindent
28562where:
28563
28564@table @samp
28565@item @var{address}
28566An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28567read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28568quoted using the C convention.
28569
28570@item @var{contents}
28571The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28572
28573@end table
28574
28575@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28576
28577There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28578
28579@subsubheading Example
28580
28581@smallexample
28582(gdb)
28583-data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28584^done
28585(gdb)
28586@end smallexample
28587
28588
28589@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28590@node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28591@section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28592
28593The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28594tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28595
28596@subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28597@findex -trace-find
28598
28599@subsubheading Synopsis
28600
28601@smallexample
28602 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28603@end smallexample
28604
28605Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28606@var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28607modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28608
28609@table @samp
28610
28611@item none
28612No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28613
28614@item frame-number
28615An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28616that index.
28617
28618@item tracepoint-number
28619An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28620trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28621
28622@item pc
28623An address is required as parameter. Finds
28624next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28625address.
28626
28627@item pc-inside-range
28628Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28629frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28630specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28631
28632@item pc-outside-range
28633Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28634next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28635the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28636
28637@item line
28638Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28639Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28640the specified location.
28641
28642@end table
28643
28644If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28645have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28646
28647@table @samp
28648@item found
28649This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28650on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28651
28652@item traceframe
28653The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28654the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28655
28656@item tracepoint
28657The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28658the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28659
28660@item frame
28661The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28662frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28663@xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28664
28665@end table
28666
28667@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28668
28669The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28670
28671@subheading -trace-define-variable
28672@findex -trace-define-variable
28673
28674@subsubheading Synopsis
28675
28676@smallexample
28677 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28678@end smallexample
28679
28680Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28681@var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28682trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28683with the @samp{$} character.
28684
28685@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28686
28687The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28688
28689@subheading -trace-list-variables
28690@findex -trace-list-variables
28691
28692@subsubheading Synopsis
28693
28694@smallexample
28695 -trace-list-variables
28696@end smallexample
28697
28698Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28699table has the following fields:
28700
28701@table @samp
28702@item name
28703The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28704
28705@item initial
28706The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28707field is always present.
28708
28709@item current
28710The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28711signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28712not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28713presently running.
28714
28715@end table
28716
28717@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28718
28719The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28720
28721@subsubheading Example
28722
28723@smallexample
28724(gdb)
28725-trace-list-variables
28726^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28727hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28728 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28729 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28730body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28731 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28732(gdb)
28733@end smallexample
28734
28735@subheading -trace-save
28736@findex -trace-save
28737
28738@subsubheading Synopsis
28739
28740@smallexample
28741 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
28742@end smallexample
28743
28744Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
28745@samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
28746in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
28747to perform the save.
28748
28749@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28750
28751The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
28752
28753
28754@subheading -trace-start
28755@findex -trace-start
28756
28757@subsubheading Synopsis
28758
28759@smallexample
28760 -trace-start
28761@end smallexample
28762
28763Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
28764have any fields.
28765
28766@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28767
28768The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
28769
28770@subheading -trace-status
28771@findex -trace-status
28772
28773@subsubheading Synopsis
28774
28775@smallexample
28776 -trace-status
28777@end smallexample
28778
28779Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
28780the following fields:
28781
28782@table @samp
28783
28784@item supported
28785May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
28786supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
28787@samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
28788of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
28789started. This field is always present.
28790
28791@item running
28792May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
28793tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
28794if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28795
28796@item stop-reason
28797Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
28798may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
28799value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
28800the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
28801the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
28802tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
28803The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
28804tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
28805This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28806
28807@item stopping-tracepoint
28808The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
28809present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
28810@samp{passcount}.
28811
28812@item frames
28813@itemx frames-created
28814The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
28815in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
28816during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
28817circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
28818
28819@item buffer-size
28820@itemx buffer-free
28821These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
28822remaining space. These fields are optional.
28823
28824@item circular
28825The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
28826trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
28827necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
28828and may fill up.
28829
28830@item disconnected
28831The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
28832tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
28833that the trace run will stop.
28834
28835@end table
28836
28837@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28838
28839The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
28840
28841@subheading -trace-stop
28842@findex -trace-stop
28843
28844@subsubheading Synopsis
28845
28846@smallexample
28847 -trace-stop
28848@end smallexample
28849
28850Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
28851fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
28852@samp{running} fields are not output.
28853
28854@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28855
28856The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
28857
28858
28859@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28860@node GDB/MI Symbol Query
28861@section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
28862
28863
28864@ignore
28865@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
28866@findex -symbol-info-address
28867
28868@subsubheading Synopsis
28869
28870@smallexample
28871 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
28872@end smallexample
28873
28874Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
28875
28876@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28877
28878The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
28879
28880@subsubheading Example
28881N.A.
28882
28883
28884@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
28885@findex -symbol-info-file
28886
28887@subsubheading Synopsis
28888
28889@smallexample
28890 -symbol-info-file
28891@end smallexample
28892
28893Show the file for the symbol.
28894
28895@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28896
28897There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
28898@samp{gdb_find_file}.
28899
28900@subsubheading Example
28901N.A.
28902
28903
28904@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
28905@findex -symbol-info-function
28906
28907@subsubheading Synopsis
28908
28909@smallexample
28910 -symbol-info-function
28911@end smallexample
28912
28913Show which function the symbol lives in.
28914
28915@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28916
28917@samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
28918
28919@subsubheading Example
28920N.A.
28921
28922
28923@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
28924@findex -symbol-info-line
28925
28926@subsubheading Synopsis
28927
28928@smallexample
28929 -symbol-info-line
28930@end smallexample
28931
28932Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
28933
28934@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28935
28936The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
28937@code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
28938
28939@subsubheading Example
28940N.A.
28941
28942
28943@subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
28944@findex -symbol-info-symbol
28945
28946@subsubheading Synopsis
28947
28948@smallexample
28949 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
28950@end smallexample
28951
28952Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
28953
28954@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28955
28956The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
28957
28958@subsubheading Example
28959N.A.
28960
28961
28962@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
28963@findex -symbol-list-functions
28964
28965@subsubheading Synopsis
28966
28967@smallexample
28968 -symbol-list-functions
28969@end smallexample
28970
28971List the functions in the executable.
28972
28973@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28974
28975@samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
28976@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28977
28978@subsubheading Example
28979N.A.
28980@end ignore
28981
28982
28983@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
28984@findex -symbol-list-lines
28985
28986@subsubheading Synopsis
28987
28988@smallexample
28989 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
28990@end smallexample
28991
28992Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
28993addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
28994ascending PC order.
28995
28996@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28997
28998There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28999
29000@subsubheading Example
29001@smallexample
29002(gdb)
29003-symbol-list-lines basics.c
29004^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
29005(gdb)
29006@end smallexample
29007
29008
29009@ignore
29010@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
29011@findex -symbol-list-types
29012
29013@subsubheading Synopsis
29014
29015@smallexample
29016 -symbol-list-types
29017@end smallexample
29018
29019List all the type names.
29020
29021@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29022
29023The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
29024@samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29025
29026@subsubheading Example
29027N.A.
29028
29029
29030@subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
29031@findex -symbol-list-variables
29032
29033@subsubheading Synopsis
29034
29035@smallexample
29036 -symbol-list-variables
29037@end smallexample
29038
29039List all the global and static variable names.
29040
29041@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29042
29043@samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29044
29045@subsubheading Example
29046N.A.
29047
29048
29049@subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
29050@findex -symbol-locate
29051
29052@subsubheading Synopsis
29053
29054@smallexample
29055 -symbol-locate
29056@end smallexample
29057
29058@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29059
29060@samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
29061
29062@subsubheading Example
29063N.A.
29064
29065
29066@subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
29067@findex -symbol-type
29068
29069@subsubheading Synopsis
29070
29071@smallexample
29072 -symbol-type @var{variable}
29073@end smallexample
29074
29075Show type of @var{variable}.
29076
29077@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29078
29079The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
29080@samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
29081
29082@subsubheading Example
29083N.A.
29084@end ignore
29085
29086
29087@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29088@node GDB/MI File Commands
29089@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
29090
29091This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
29092and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
29093
29094@subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
29095@findex -file-exec-and-symbols
29096
29097@subsubheading Synopsis
29098
29099@smallexample
29100 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
29101@end smallexample
29102
29103Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
29104which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
29105command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
29106are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
29107error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
29108notification.
29109
29110@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29111
29112The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
29113
29114@subsubheading Example
29115
29116@smallexample
29117(gdb)
29118-file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29119^done
29120(gdb)
29121@end smallexample
29122
29123
29124@subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
29125@findex -file-exec-file
29126
29127@subsubheading Synopsis
29128
29129@smallexample
29130 -file-exec-file @var{file}
29131@end smallexample
29132
29133Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
29134@samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
29135from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
29136about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
29137notification.
29138
29139@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29140
29141The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
29142
29143@subsubheading Example
29144
29145@smallexample
29146(gdb)
29147-file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29148^done
29149(gdb)
29150@end smallexample
29151
29152
29153@ignore
29154@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
29155@findex -file-list-exec-sections
29156
29157@subsubheading Synopsis
29158
29159@smallexample
29160 -file-list-exec-sections
29161@end smallexample
29162
29163List the sections of the current executable file.
29164
29165@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29166
29167The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
29168information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
29169@samp{gdb_load_info}.
29170
29171@subsubheading Example
29172N.A.
29173@end ignore
29174
29175
29176@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
29177@findex -file-list-exec-source-file
29178
29179@subsubheading Synopsis
29180
29181@smallexample
29182 -file-list-exec-source-file
29183@end smallexample
29184
29185List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
29186to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
29187information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
29188whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
29189
29190@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29191
29192The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
29193
29194@subsubheading Example
29195
29196@smallexample
29197(gdb)
29198123-file-list-exec-source-file
29199123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
29200(gdb)
29201@end smallexample
29202
29203
29204@subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
29205@findex -file-list-exec-source-files
29206
29207@subsubheading Synopsis
29208
29209@smallexample
29210 -file-list-exec-source-files
29211@end smallexample
29212
29213List the source files for the current executable.
29214
29215It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
29216the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
29217
29218@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29219
29220The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
29221@code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
29222
29223@subsubheading Example
29224@smallexample
29225(gdb)
29226-file-list-exec-source-files
29227^done,files=[
29228@{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
29229@{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
29230@{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
29231(gdb)
29232@end smallexample
29233
29234@ignore
29235@subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
29236@findex -file-list-shared-libraries
29237
29238@subsubheading Synopsis
29239
29240@smallexample
29241 -file-list-shared-libraries
29242@end smallexample
29243
29244List the shared libraries in the program.
29245
29246@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29247
29248The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
29249
29250@subsubheading Example
29251N.A.
29252
29253
29254@subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
29255@findex -file-list-symbol-files
29256
29257@subsubheading Synopsis
29258
29259@smallexample
29260 -file-list-symbol-files
29261@end smallexample
29262
29263List symbol files.
29264
29265@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29266
29267The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
29268
29269@subsubheading Example
29270N.A.
29271@end ignore
29272
29273
29274@subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
29275@findex -file-symbol-file
29276
29277@subsubheading Synopsis
29278
29279@smallexample
29280 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
29281@end smallexample
29282
29283Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
29284used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
29285produced, except for a completion notification.
29286
29287@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29288
29289The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
29290
29291@subsubheading Example
29292
29293@smallexample
29294(gdb)
29295-file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29296^done
29297(gdb)
29298@end smallexample
29299
29300@ignore
29301@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29302@node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
29303@section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
29304
29305The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
29306
29307@c @subheading -overlay-auto
29308
29309@c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
29310
29311@c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
29312
29313@c @subheading -overlay-map
29314
29315@c @subheading -overlay-off
29316
29317@c @subheading -overlay-on
29318
29319@c @subheading -overlay-unmap
29320
29321@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29322@node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
29323@section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
29324
29325Signal handling commands are not implemented.
29326
29327@c @subheading -signal-handle
29328
29329@c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
29330
29331@c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
29332@end ignore
29333
29334
29335@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29336@node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
29337@section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
29338
29339
29340@subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
29341@findex -target-attach
29342
29343@subsubheading Synopsis
29344
29345@smallexample
29346 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
29347@end smallexample
29348
29349Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
29350@value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
29351group, the id previously returned by
29352@samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
29353
29354@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29355
29356The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
29357
29358@subsubheading Example
29359@smallexample
29360(gdb)
29361-target-attach 34
29362=thread-created,id="1"
29363*stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
29364^done
29365(gdb)
29366@end smallexample
29367
29368@ignore
29369@subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
29370@findex -target-compare-sections
29371
29372@subsubheading Synopsis
29373
29374@smallexample
29375 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
29376@end smallexample
29377
29378Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
29379Without the argument, all sections are compared.
29380
29381@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29382
29383The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
29384
29385@subsubheading Example
29386N.A.
29387@end ignore
29388
29389
29390@subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
29391@findex -target-detach
29392
29393@subsubheading Synopsis
29394
29395@smallexample
29396 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
29397@end smallexample
29398
29399Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
29400If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
29401the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
29402
29403@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29404
29405The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
29406
29407@subsubheading Example
29408
29409@smallexample
29410(gdb)
29411-target-detach
29412^done
29413(gdb)
29414@end smallexample
29415
29416
29417@subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
29418@findex -target-disconnect
29419
29420@subsubheading Synopsis
29421
29422@smallexample
29423 -target-disconnect
29424@end smallexample
29425
29426Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
29427generally not resumed.
29428
29429@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29430
29431The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
29432
29433@subsubheading Example
29434
29435@smallexample
29436(gdb)
29437-target-disconnect
29438^done
29439(gdb)
29440@end smallexample
29441
29442
29443@subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
29444@findex -target-download
29445
29446@subsubheading Synopsis
29447
29448@smallexample
29449 -target-download
29450@end smallexample
29451
29452Loads the executable onto the remote target.
29453It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
29454
29455@table @samp
29456@item section
29457The name of the section.
29458@item section-sent
29459The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
29460@item section-size
29461The size of the section.
29462@item total-sent
29463The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
29464@item total-size
29465The size of the overall executable to download.
29466@end table
29467
29468@noindent
29469Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
29470@sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
29471
29472In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
29473downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
29474
29475@table @samp
29476@item section
29477The name of the section.
29478@item section-size
29479The size of the section.
29480@item total-size
29481The size of the overall executable to download.
29482@end table
29483
29484@noindent
29485At the end, a summary is printed.
29486
29487@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29488
29489The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29490
29491@subsubheading Example
29492
29493Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29494have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29495
29496@smallexample
29497(gdb)
29498-target-download
29499+download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29500+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29501total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29502+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29503total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29504+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29505total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29506+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29507total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29508+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29509total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29510+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29511total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29512+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29513total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29514+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29515total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29516+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29517total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29518+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29519total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29520+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29521total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29522+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29523total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29524+download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29525total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29526+download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29527+download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29528+download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29529+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29530total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29531+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29532total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29533+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29534total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29535+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29536total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29537+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29538total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29539+download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29540total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29541^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29542write-rate="429"
29543(gdb)
29544@end smallexample
29545
29546
29547@ignore
29548@subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29549@findex -target-exec-status
29550
29551@subsubheading Synopsis
29552
29553@smallexample
29554 -target-exec-status
29555@end smallexample
29556
29557Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29558not, for instance).
29559
29560@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29561
29562There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29563
29564@subsubheading Example
29565N.A.
29566
29567
29568@subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29569@findex -target-list-available-targets
29570
29571@subsubheading Synopsis
29572
29573@smallexample
29574 -target-list-available-targets
29575@end smallexample
29576
29577List the possible targets to connect to.
29578
29579@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29580
29581The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29582
29583@subsubheading Example
29584N.A.
29585
29586
29587@subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29588@findex -target-list-current-targets
29589
29590@subsubheading Synopsis
29591
29592@smallexample
29593 -target-list-current-targets
29594@end smallexample
29595
29596Describe the current target.
29597
29598@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29599
29600The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29601other things).
29602
29603@subsubheading Example
29604N.A.
29605
29606
29607@subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29608@findex -target-list-parameters
29609
29610@subsubheading Synopsis
29611
29612@smallexample
29613 -target-list-parameters
29614@end smallexample
29615
29616@c ????
29617@end ignore
29618
29619@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29620
29621No equivalent.
29622
29623@subsubheading Example
29624N.A.
29625
29626
29627@subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29628@findex -target-select
29629
29630@subsubheading Synopsis
29631
29632@smallexample
29633 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29634@end smallexample
29635
29636Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29637
29638@table @samp
29639@item @var{type}
29640The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29641@item @var{parameters}
29642Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29643Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29644@end table
29645
29646The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29647which the target program is, in the following form:
29648
29649@smallexample
29650^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29651 args=[@var{arg list}]
29652@end smallexample
29653
29654@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29655
29656The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29657
29658@subsubheading Example
29659
29660@smallexample
29661(gdb)
29662-target-select remote /dev/ttya
29663^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29664(gdb)
29665@end smallexample
29666
29667@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29668@node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29669@section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29670
29671
29672@subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29673@findex -target-file-put
29674
29675@subsubheading Synopsis
29676
29677@smallexample
29678 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29679@end smallexample
29680
29681Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29682@value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29683
29684@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29685
29686The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29687
29688@subsubheading Example
29689
29690@smallexample
29691(gdb)
29692-target-file-put localfile remotefile
29693^done
29694(gdb)
29695@end smallexample
29696
29697
29698@subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29699@findex -target-file-get
29700
29701@subsubheading Synopsis
29702
29703@smallexample
29704 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29705@end smallexample
29706
29707Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29708on the host system.
29709
29710@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29711
29712The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29713
29714@subsubheading Example
29715
29716@smallexample
29717(gdb)
29718-target-file-get remotefile localfile
29719^done
29720(gdb)
29721@end smallexample
29722
29723
29724@subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29725@findex -target-file-delete
29726
29727@subsubheading Synopsis
29728
29729@smallexample
29730 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29731@end smallexample
29732
29733Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29734
29735@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29736
29737The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
29738
29739@subsubheading Example
29740
29741@smallexample
29742(gdb)
29743-target-file-delete remotefile
29744^done
29745(gdb)
29746@end smallexample
29747
29748
29749@c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29750@node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
29751@section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
29752
29753@c @subheading -gdb-complete
29754
29755@subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
29756@findex -gdb-exit
29757
29758@subsubheading Synopsis
29759
29760@smallexample
29761 -gdb-exit
29762@end smallexample
29763
29764Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
29765
29766@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29767
29768Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
29769
29770@subsubheading Example
29771
29772@smallexample
29773(gdb)
29774-gdb-exit
29775^exit
29776@end smallexample
29777
29778
29779@ignore
29780@subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
29781@findex -exec-abort
29782
29783@subsubheading Synopsis
29784
29785@smallexample
29786 -exec-abort
29787@end smallexample
29788
29789Kill the inferior running program.
29790
29791@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29792
29793The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
29794
29795@subsubheading Example
29796N.A.
29797@end ignore
29798
29799
29800@subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
29801@findex -gdb-set
29802
29803@subsubheading Synopsis
29804
29805@smallexample
29806 -gdb-set
29807@end smallexample
29808
29809Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
29810@c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
29811
29812@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29813
29814The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
29815
29816@subsubheading Example
29817
29818@smallexample
29819(gdb)
29820-gdb-set $foo=3
29821^done
29822(gdb)
29823@end smallexample
29824
29825
29826@subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
29827@findex -gdb-show
29828
29829@subsubheading Synopsis
29830
29831@smallexample
29832 -gdb-show
29833@end smallexample
29834
29835Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
29836
29837@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29838
29839The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
29840
29841@subsubheading Example
29842
29843@smallexample
29844(gdb)
29845-gdb-show annotate
29846^done,value="0"
29847(gdb)
29848@end smallexample
29849
29850@c @subheading -gdb-source
29851
29852
29853@subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
29854@findex -gdb-version
29855
29856@subsubheading Synopsis
29857
29858@smallexample
29859 -gdb-version
29860@end smallexample
29861
29862Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
29863
29864@subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29865
29866The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
29867default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
29868
29869@subsubheading Example
29870
29871@c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
29872@c box in TeX.
29873@smallexample
29874(gdb)
29875-gdb-version
29876~GNU gdb 5.2.1
29877~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29878~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
29879~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
29880~ certain conditions.
29881~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29882~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
29883~ details.
29884~This GDB was configured as
29885 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
29886^done
29887(gdb)
29888@end smallexample
29889
29890@subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
29891@findex -list-features
29892
29893Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
29894this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
29895or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
29896important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
29897of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
29898startup.
29899
29900The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
29901available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
29902have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
29903is given below.
29904
29905Example output:
29906
29907@smallexample
29908(gdb) -list-features
29909^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
29910@end smallexample
29911
29912The current list of features is:
29913
29914@table @samp
29915@item frozen-varobjs
29916Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
29917as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
29918of @code{-varobj-create}.
29919@item pending-breakpoints
29920Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
29921@item python
29922Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
29923pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
29924@samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
29925@item thread-info
29926Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
29927@item data-read-memory-bytes
29928Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
29929@code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
29930
29931@end table
29932
29933@subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
29934@findex -list-target-features
29935
29936Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
29937target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
29938unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
29939features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
29940a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
29941@code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
29942may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
29943Example output:
29944
29945@smallexample
29946(gdb) -list-features
29947^done,result=["async"]
29948@end smallexample
29949
29950The current list of features is:
29951
29952@table @samp
29953@item async
29954Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
29955execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
29956while the target is running.
29957
29958@item reverse
29959Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
29960@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29961
29962@end table
29963
29964@subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
29965@findex -list-thread-groups
29966
29967@subheading Synopsis
29968
29969@smallexample
29970-list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
29971@end smallexample
29972
29973Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
29974group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
29975When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
29976thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
29977top-level thread groups.
29978
29979Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
29980With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
29981available on the target.
29982
29983The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
29984a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
29985as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
29986Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
29987each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
29988requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
29989are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
29990of the @samp{group} result is described below.
29991
29992To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
29993together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
29994and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
29995permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
29996will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
29997@samp{threads} field.
29998
29999In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
30000the following caveats:
30001
30002@itemize @bullet
30003@item
30004When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
30005be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
30006anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
30007
30008@item
30009When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
30010be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
30011be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
30012not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
30013The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
30014is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
30015
30016@end itemize
30017
30018The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
30019have the following fields:
30020
30021@table @code
30022@item id
30023Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
30024The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
30025convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
30026
30027@item type
30028The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
30029valid type.
30030
30031@item pid
30032The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
30033for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
30034
30035@item num_children
30036The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
30037absent for an available thread group.
30038
30039@item threads
30040This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
30041thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
30042specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
30043
30044@item cores
30045This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
30046thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
30047such information is not available.
30048
30049@item executable
30050The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
30051The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
30052and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
30053
30054@end table
30055
30056@subheading Example
30057
30058@smallexample
30059@value{GDBP}
30060-list-thread-groups
30061^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
30062-list-thread-groups 17
30063^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30064 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
30065@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30066 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30067 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
30068-list-thread-groups --available
30069^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
30070-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
30071 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30072 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30073 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
30074-list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
30075^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30076 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30077 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
30078@end smallexample
30079
30080
30081@subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
30082@findex -add-inferior
30083
30084@subheading Synopsis
30085
30086@smallexample
30087-add-inferior
30088@end smallexample
30089
30090Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
30091inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
30092be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
30093(@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
30094field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
30095thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
30096
30097@subheading Example
30098
30099@smallexample
30100@value{GDBP}
30101-add-inferior
30102^done,thread-group="i3"
30103@end smallexample
30104
30105@subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
30106@findex -interpreter-exec
30107
30108@subheading Synopsis
30109
30110@smallexample
30111-interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
30112@end smallexample
30113@anchor{-interpreter-exec}
30114
30115Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
30116
30117@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30118
30119The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
30120
30121@subheading Example
30122
30123@smallexample
30124(gdb)
30125-interpreter-exec console "break main"
30126&"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
30127&"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
30128~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
30129^done
30130(gdb)
30131@end smallexample
30132
30133@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
30134@findex -inferior-tty-set
30135
30136@subheading Synopsis
30137
30138@smallexample
30139-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30140@end smallexample
30141
30142Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
30143
30144@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30145
30146The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
30147
30148@subheading Example
30149
30150@smallexample
30151(gdb)
30152-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30153^done
30154(gdb)
30155@end smallexample
30156
30157@subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
30158@findex -inferior-tty-show
30159
30160@subheading Synopsis
30161
30162@smallexample
30163-inferior-tty-show
30164@end smallexample
30165
30166Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
30167
30168@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30169
30170The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
30171
30172@subheading Example
30173
30174@smallexample
30175(gdb)
30176-inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30177^done
30178(gdb)
30179-inferior-tty-show
30180^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
30181(gdb)
30182@end smallexample
30183
30184@subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
30185@findex -enable-timings
30186
30187@subheading Synopsis
30188
30189@smallexample
30190-enable-timings [yes | no]
30191@end smallexample
30192
30193Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
30194command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
30195developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
30196equivalent to @samp{yes}.
30197
30198@subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30199
30200No equivalent.
30201
30202@subheading Example
30203
30204@smallexample
30205(gdb)
30206-enable-timings
30207^done
30208(gdb)
30209-break-insert main
30210^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30211addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
30212fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
30213time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
30214(gdb)
30215-enable-timings no
30216^done
30217(gdb)
30218-exec-run
30219^running
30220(gdb)
30221*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
30222frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
30223@{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
30224fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
30225(gdb)
30226@end smallexample
30227
30228@node Annotations
30229@chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
30230
30231This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
30232designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
30233similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
30234relatively high level.
30235
30236The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
30237(@pxref{GDB/MI}).
30238
30239@ignore
30240This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
30241@end ignore
30242
30243@menu
30244* Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
30245* Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
30246* Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
30247* Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
30248* Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
30249* Annotations for Running::
30250 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
30251* Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
30252@end menu
30253
30254@node Annotations Overview
30255@section What is an Annotation?
30256@cindex annotations
30257
30258Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
30259characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
30260information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
30261is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
30262information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
30263additional information, and a newline. The additional information
30264cannot contain newline characters.
30265
30266Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
30267characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
30268no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
30269@samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
30270annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
30271means those three characters as output.
30272
30273The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
30274@option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
30275how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
30276values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
30277is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
30278subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
30279for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
30280been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
30281Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
30282
30283@table @code
30284@kindex set annotate
30285@item set annotate @var{level}
30286The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
30287annotations to the specified @var{level}.
30288
30289@item show annotate
30290@kindex show annotate
30291Show the current annotation level.
30292@end table
30293
30294This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
30295
30296A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
30297
30298@smallexample
30299$ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
30300GNU gdb 6.0
30301Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30302GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
30303and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
30304under certain conditions.
30305Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30306There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
30307for details.
30308This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
30309
30310^Z^Zpre-prompt
30311(@value{GDBP})
30312^Z^Zprompt
30313@kbd{quit}
30314
30315^Z^Zpost-prompt
30316$
30317@end smallexample
30318
30319Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
30320@value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
30321denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
30322output from @value{GDBN}.
30323
30324@node Server Prefix
30325@section The Server Prefix
30326@cindex server prefix
30327
30328If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
30329the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
30330command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
30331means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
30332a transparent manner.
30333
30334The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
30335the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
30336value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
30337@code{print} command.
30338
30339Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
30340(@pxref{confirmation requests}).
30341
30342@node Prompting
30343@section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
30344
30345@cindex annotations for prompts
30346When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
30347to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
30348over, etc.
30349
30350Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
30351input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
30352denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
30353annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
30354annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
30355associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
30356features the following annotations:
30357
30358@smallexample
30359^Z^Zpre-prompt
30360^Z^Zprompt
30361^Z^Zpost-prompt
30362@end smallexample
30363
30364The input types are
30365
30366@table @code
30367@findex pre-prompt annotation
30368@findex prompt annotation
30369@findex post-prompt annotation
30370@item prompt
30371When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
30372
30373@findex pre-commands annotation
30374@findex commands annotation
30375@findex post-commands annotation
30376@item commands
30377When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
30378command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
30379
30380@findex pre-overload-choice annotation
30381@findex overload-choice annotation
30382@findex post-overload-choice annotation
30383@item overload-choice
30384When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
30385
30386@findex pre-query annotation
30387@findex query annotation
30388@findex post-query annotation
30389@item query
30390When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
30391
30392@findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
30393@findex prompt-for-continue annotation
30394@findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
30395@item prompt-for-continue
30396When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
30397expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
30398prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
30399presence of annotations.
30400@end table
30401
30402@node Errors
30403@section Errors
30404@cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
30405
30406@findex quit annotation
30407@smallexample
30408^Z^Zquit
30409@end smallexample
30410
30411This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
30412
30413@findex error annotation
30414@smallexample
30415^Z^Zerror
30416@end smallexample
30417
30418This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
30419
30420Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
30421in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
30422@code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
30423cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
30424cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
30425does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
30426to the top level.
30427
30428@findex error-begin annotation
30429A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
30430
30431@smallexample
30432^Z^Zerror-begin
30433@end smallexample
30434
30435Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
30436message.
30437
30438Warning messages are not yet annotated.
30439@c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
30440@c range_error(), and possibly other places.
30441
30442@node Invalidation
30443@section Invalidation Notices
30444
30445@cindex annotations for invalidation messages
30446The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
30447changed.
30448
30449@table @code
30450@findex frames-invalid annotation
30451@item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
30452
30453The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
30454have changed.
30455
30456@findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
30457@item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
30458
30459The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
30460deleted a breakpoint.
30461@end table
30462
30463@node Annotations for Running
30464@section Running the Program
30465@cindex annotations for running programs
30466
30467@findex starting annotation
30468@findex stopping annotation
30469When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
30470@code{step} or @code{continue},
30471
30472@smallexample
30473^Z^Zstarting
30474@end smallexample
30475
30476is output. When the program stops,
30477
30478@smallexample
30479^Z^Zstopped
30480@end smallexample
30481
30482is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
30483annotations describe how the program stopped.
30484
30485@table @code
30486@findex exited annotation
30487@item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
30488The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
30489successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30490
30491@findex signalled annotation
30492@findex signal-name annotation
30493@findex signal-name-end annotation
30494@findex signal-string annotation
30495@findex signal-string-end annotation
30496@item ^Z^Zsignalled
30497The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30498annotation continues:
30499
30500@smallexample
30501@var{intro-text}
30502^Z^Zsignal-name
30503@var{name}
30504^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30505@var{middle-text}
30506^Z^Zsignal-string
30507@var{string}
30508^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30509@var{end-text}
30510@end smallexample
30511
30512@noindent
30513where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30514@code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30515as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30516@var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30517user's benefit and have no particular format.
30518
30519@findex signal annotation
30520@item ^Z^Zsignal
30521The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30522just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30523terminated with it.
30524
30525@findex breakpoint annotation
30526@item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30527The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30528
30529@findex watchpoint annotation
30530@item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30531The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30532@end table
30533
30534@node Source Annotations
30535@section Displaying Source
30536@cindex annotations for source display
30537
30538@findex source annotation
30539The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30540
30541@smallexample
30542^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30543@end smallexample
30544
30545where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30546file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30547first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30548within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30549debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30550@var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30551line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30552@var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30553source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30554followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30555depend on the language).
30556
30557@node JIT Interface
30558@chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30559@cindex just-in-time compilation
30560@cindex JIT compilation interface
30561
30562This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30563interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30564executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30565performance while maintaining platform independence.
30566
30567Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30568portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30569object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30570and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30571@value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30572symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30573
30574If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30575it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30576you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30577of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30578LLVM JIT.
30579
30580Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30581JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30582variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30583attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30584find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30585out about additional code.
30586
30587@menu
30588* Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30589* Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30590* Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30591@end menu
30592
30593@node Declarations
30594@section JIT Declarations
30595
30596These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30597implement the interface:
30598
30599@smallexample
30600typedef enum
30601@{
30602 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
30603 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
30604 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
30605@} jit_actions_t;
30606
30607struct jit_code_entry
30608@{
30609 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30610 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30611 const char *symfile_addr;
30612 uint64_t symfile_size;
30613@};
30614
30615struct jit_descriptor
30616@{
30617 uint32_t version;
30618 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30619 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30620 uint32_t action_flag;
30621 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30622 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30623@};
30624
30625/* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30626void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30627
30628/* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30629 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30630struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30631@end smallexample
30632
30633If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30634modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30635a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30636
30637@node Registering Code
30638@section Registering Code
30639
30640To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30641
30642@itemize @bullet
30643@item
30644Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30645information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30646
30647@item
30648Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30649file.
30650
30651@item
30652Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30653
30654@item
30655Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30656
30657@item
30658Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30659@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30660@end itemize
30661
30662When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30663@code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30664new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30665@value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30666
30667@node Unregistering Code
30668@section Unregistering Code
30669
30670If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30671
30672@itemize @bullet
30673@item
30674Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30675
30676@item
30677Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30678
30679@item
30680Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30681@code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30682@end itemize
30683
30684If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30685and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30686
30687@node GDB Bugs
30688@chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30689@cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30690@cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30691
30692Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30693
30694Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30695may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30696the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30697reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30698
30699In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30700information that enables us to fix the bug.
30701
30702@menu
30703* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30704* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30705@end menu
30706
30707@node Bug Criteria
30708@section Have You Found a Bug?
30709@cindex bug criteria
30710
30711If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30712
30713@itemize @bullet
30714@cindex fatal signal
30715@cindex debugger crash
30716@cindex crash of debugger
30717@item
30718If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30719@value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30720
30721@cindex error on valid input
30722@item
30723If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30724bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30725somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30726
30727@cindex invalid input
30728@item
30729If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30730that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30731``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
30732for traditional practice''.
30733
30734@item
30735If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
30736for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
30737@end itemize
30738
30739@node Bug Reporting
30740@section How to Report Bugs
30741@cindex bug reports
30742@cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
30743
30744A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
30745If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
30746contact that organization first.
30747
30748You can find contact information for many support companies and
30749individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
30750distribution.
30751@c should add a web page ref...
30752
30753@ifset BUGURL
30754@ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
30755In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30756@value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
30757@uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
30758page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
30759be used.
30760
30761@strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
30762@samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
30763not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
30764@samp{bug-gdb}.
30765
30766The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
30767serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
30768the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
30769newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
30770problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
30771path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
30772we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
30773bug reports to the mailing list.
30774@end ifset
30775@ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
30776In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30777@value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
30778@end ifclear
30779@end ifset
30780
30781The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
30782@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
30783fact or leave it out, state it!
30784
30785Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
30786problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
30787assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
30788Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
30789stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
30790name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
30791of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
30792the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
30793easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
30794
30795Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
30796bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
30797you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
30798self-contained.
30799
30800Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
30801bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
30802@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
30803bugs properly.
30804
30805To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
30806
30807@itemize @bullet
30808@item
30809The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
30810with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
30811version}.
30812
30813Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
30814the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
30815
30816@item
30817The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
30818version number.
30819
30820@item
30821What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
30822``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
30823
30824@item
30825What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
30826debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
30827C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
30828to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
30829those compilers.
30830
30831@item
30832The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
30833observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
30834you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
30835Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
30836
30837If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
30838and then we might not encounter the bug.
30839
30840@item
30841A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
30842reproduce the bug.
30843
30844@item
30845A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
30846incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
30847
30848Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
30849will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
30850not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
30851a chance to make a mistake.
30852
30853Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
30854say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
30855copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
30856the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
30857crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
30858ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
30859us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
30860to draw any conclusion from our observations.
30861
30862@pindex script
30863@cindex recording a session script
30864To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
30865such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
30866Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
30867include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
30868
30869Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
30870inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
30871
30872@item
30873If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
30874diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
30875it by context, not by line number.
30876
30877The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
30878sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
30879
30880@end itemize
30881
30882Here are some things that are not necessary:
30883
30884@itemize @bullet
30885@item
30886A description of the envelope of the bug.
30887
30888Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
30889which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
30890changes will not affect it.
30891
30892This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
30893will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
30894with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
30895We recommend that you save your time for something else.
30896
30897Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
30898of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
30899output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
30900less time, and so on.
30901
30902However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
30903report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
30904
30905@item
30906A patch for the bug.
30907
30908A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
30909the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
30910a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
30911to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
30912
30913Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
30914construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
30915through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
30916to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
30917
30918And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
30919patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
30920help us to understand.
30921
30922@item
30923A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
30924
30925Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
30926things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
30927@end itemize
30928
30929@c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
30930@c and consists of the two following files:
30931@c rluser.texinfo
30932@c inc-hist.texinfo
30933@c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
30934@c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
30935@ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
30936@include rluser.texi
30937@include inc-hist.texinfo
30938@end ifclear
30939
30940
30941@node Formatting Documentation
30942@appendix Formatting Documentation
30943
30944@cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
30945@cindex reference card
30946The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
30947for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
30948subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
30949@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
30950release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
30951you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
30952
30953The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
30954can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
30955
30956@smallexample
30957make refcard.dvi
30958@end smallexample
30959
30960The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
30961mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
30962that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
30963high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
30964your @sc{dvi} output program.
30965
30966@cindex documentation
30967
30968All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
30969distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
30970a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
30971on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
30972formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
30973and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
30974
30975@value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
30976version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
30977file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
30978subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
30979necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
30980but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
30981Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
30982@sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
30983
30984If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
30985Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
30986@code{makeinfo}.
30987
30988If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
30989@value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
30990version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
30991
30992@smallexample
30993cd gdb
30994make gdb.info
30995@end smallexample
30996
30997If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
30998a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
30999Texinfo definitions file.
31000
31001@TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
31002produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
31003document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
31004has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
31005command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
31006(for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
31007require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
31008
31009@TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
31010@file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
31011written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
31012typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
31013and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
31014directory.
31015
31016If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
31017typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
31018subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
31019@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
31020
31021@smallexample
31022make gdb.dvi
31023@end smallexample
31024
31025Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
31026
31027@node Installing GDB
31028@appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
31029@cindex installation
31030
31031@menu
31032* Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
31033* Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
31034* Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
31035* Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
31036* Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
31037* System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
31038@end menu
31039
31040@node Requirements
31041@section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
31042@cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
31043
31044Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
31045Other packages will be used only if they are found.
31046
31047@heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
31048@table @asis
31049@item ISO C90 compiler
31050@value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
31051working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
31052
31053@end table
31054
31055@heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
31056@table @asis
31057@item Expat
31058@anchor{Expat}
31059@value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
31060included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
31061can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
31062The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
31063standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
31064use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
31065
31066Expat is used for:
31067
31068@itemize @bullet
31069@item
31070Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
31071@item
31072Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
31073@item
31074Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
31075@item
31076MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
31077@item
31078Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
31079@end itemize
31080
31081@item zlib
31082@cindex compressed debug sections
31083@value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
31084compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
31085of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
31086is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
31087information in such binaries.
31088
31089The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
31090distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
31091@url{http://zlib.net}.
31092
31093@item iconv
31094@value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
31095Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
31096on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
31097other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
31098
31099On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
31100have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
31101@option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
31102
31103@value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
31104arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
31105in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
31106if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
31107implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
31108by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
31109Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
31110Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
31111@end table
31112
31113@node Running Configure
31114@section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
31115@cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
31116@value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
31117of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
31118build the @code{gdb} program.
31119@iftex
31120@c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
31121@footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
31122look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
31123installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
31124@end iftex
31125
31126The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
31127@value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
31128appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
31129
31130For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
31131@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
31132
31133@table @code
31134@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
31135script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
31136
31137@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
31138the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
31139
31140@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
31141source for the Binary File Descriptor library
31142
31143@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
31144@sc{gnu} include files
31145
31146@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
31147source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
31148
31149@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
31150source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
31151
31152@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
31153source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
31154
31155@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
31156source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
31157
31158@item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
31159source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
31160@end table
31161
31162The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
31163from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
31164this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
31165
31166First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
31167if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
31168identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
31169argument.
31170
31171For example:
31172
31173@smallexample
31174cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31175./configure @var{host}
31176make
31177@end smallexample
31178
31179@noindent
31180where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
31181@samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
31182(You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
31183correct value by examining your system.)
31184
31185Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
31186@file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
31187libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
31188binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
31189
31190@need 750
31191@file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
31192system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
31193shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
31194
31195@smallexample
31196sh configure @var{host}
31197@end smallexample
31198
31199If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
31200directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
31201@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
31202@file{configure}
31203creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
31204you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
31205
31206You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
31207source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
31208@file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
31209that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
31210if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
31211of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
31212configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
31213directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
31214about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31215
31216You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
31217However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
31218the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
31219that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
31220let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
31221
31222@node Separate Objdir
31223@section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
31224
31225If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
31226you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
31227host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
31228allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
31229rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
31230handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
31231@code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
31232program specified there.
31233
31234To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
31235with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
31236(You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
31237itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
31238would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
31239the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
31240
31241For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
31242separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
31243
31244@smallexample
31245@group
31246cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31247mkdir ../gdb-sun4
31248cd ../gdb-sun4
31249../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
31250make
31251@end group
31252@end smallexample
31253
31254When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
31255directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
31256(and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
31257the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
31258directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
31259@file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
31260
31261Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
31262instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
31263like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
31264one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
31265build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31266
31267One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
31268directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
31269@value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
31270programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
31271You specify a cross-debugging target by
31272giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
31273
31274When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
31275it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
31276called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
31277
31278The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
31279directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
31280directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
31281directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
31282will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
31283
31284When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
31285directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
31286if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
31287with each other.
31288
31289@node Config Names
31290@section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
31291
31292The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
31293script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
31294aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
31295of information in the following pattern:
31296
31297@smallexample
31298@var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
31299@end smallexample
31300
31301For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
31302or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
31303option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
31304
31305The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
31306any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
31307aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
31308@code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
31309script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
31310abbreviations---for example:
31311
31312@smallexample
31313% sh config.sub i386-linux
31314i386-pc-linux-gnu
31315% sh config.sub alpha-linux
31316alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
31317% sh config.sub hp9k700
31318hppa1.1-hp-hpux
31319% sh config.sub sun4
31320sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
31321% sh config.sub sun3
31322m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
31323% sh config.sub i986v
31324Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
31325@end smallexample
31326
31327@noindent
31328@code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
31329directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
31330
31331@node Configure Options
31332@section @file{configure} Options
31333
31334Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
31335are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
31336several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
31337Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
31338
31339@smallexample
31340configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
31341 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31342 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31343 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
31344 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
31345 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
31346 @var{host}
31347@end smallexample
31348
31349@noindent
31350You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
31351@samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
31352@samp{--}.
31353
31354@table @code
31355@item --help
31356Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
31357
31358@item --prefix=@var{dir}
31359Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
31360@file{@var{dir}}.
31361
31362@item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
31363Configure the source to install programs under directory
31364@file{@var{dir}}.
31365
31366@c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
31367@need 2000
31368@item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
31369@strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
31370@code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
31371Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
31372@value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
31373build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
31374directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
31375the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
31376directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
31377the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
31378@var{dirname}.
31379
31380@item --norecursion
31381Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
31382propagate configuration to subdirectories.
31383
31384@item --target=@var{target}
31385Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
31386@var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
31387programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
31388
31389There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
31390
31391@item @var{host} @dots{}
31392Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
31393
31394There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
31395@end table
31396
31397There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
31398needed for special purposes only.
31399
31400@node System-wide configuration
31401@section System-wide configuration and settings
31402@cindex system-wide init file
31403
31404@value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
31405this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
31406@value{GDBN} does during startup}).
31407
31408Here is the corresponding configure option:
31409
31410@table @code
31411@item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
31412Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
31413@var{file}.
31414@end table
31415
31416If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
31417it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
31418
31419@itemize @bullet
31420@item
31421If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
31422it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
31423are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
31424if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
31425init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
31426@file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
31427
31428@item
31429By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
31430it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
31431@option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31432then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31433wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
31434@end itemize
31435
31436@node Maintenance Commands
31437@appendix Maintenance Commands
31438@cindex maintenance commands
31439@cindex internal commands
31440
31441In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
31442includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
31443that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
31444provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
31445messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
31446
31447@table @code
31448@kindex maint agent
31449@kindex maint agent-eval
31450@item maint agent @var{expression}
31451@itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
31452Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
31453This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
31454(@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
31455expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
31456@samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
31457to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
31458globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
31459of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
31460the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
31461addition and return the sum.
31462
31463@kindex maint info breakpoints
31464@item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
31465Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
31466breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
31467internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
31468breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
31469is shown:
31470
31471@table @code
31472@item breakpoint
31473Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
31474
31475@item watchpoint
31476Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
31477
31478@item longjmp
31479Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
31480@code{longjmp} calls.
31481
31482@item longjmp resume
31483Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
31484
31485@item until
31486Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
31487
31488@item finish
31489Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
31490
31491@item shlib events
31492Shared library events.
31493
31494@end table
31495
31496@kindex set displaced-stepping
31497@kindex show displaced-stepping
31498@cindex displaced stepping support
31499@cindex out-of-line single-stepping
31500@item set displaced-stepping
31501@itemx show displaced-stepping
31502Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
31503if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
31504over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
31505an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
31506breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31507
31508@table @code
31509@item set displaced-stepping on
31510If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31511displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31512
31513@item set displaced-stepping off
31514@value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31515even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31516
31517@cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31518@item set displaced-stepping auto
31519This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31520only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31521architecture supports displaced stepping.
31522@end table
31523
31524@kindex maint check-symtabs
31525@item maint check-symtabs
31526Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31527
31528@kindex maint cplus first_component
31529@item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31530Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31531
31532@kindex maint cplus namespace
31533@item maint cplus namespace
31534Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31535
31536@kindex maint demangle
31537@item maint demangle @var{name}
31538Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31539
31540@kindex maint deprecate
31541@kindex maint undeprecate
31542@cindex deprecated commands
31543@item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31544@itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31545Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31546cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31547argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31548favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31549the replacement as part of the warning.
31550
31551@kindex maint dump-me
31552@item maint dump-me
31553@cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31554Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31555This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31556with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31557
31558@kindex maint internal-error
31559@kindex maint internal-warning
31560@item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31561@itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31562Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31563or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31564or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31565internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31566either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31567@value{GDBN} session.
31568
31569These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31570used as the text of the error or warning message.
31571
31572Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31573
31574@smallexample
31575(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31576@dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31577A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31578debugging may prove unreliable.
31579Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31580Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31581(@value{GDBP})
31582@end smallexample
31583
31584@cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31585@cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31586
31587@kindex maint set internal-error
31588@kindex maint show internal-error
31589@kindex maint set internal-warning
31590@kindex maint show internal-warning
31591@item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31592@itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31593@itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31594@itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31595When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31596gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31597core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31598override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31599described in the table below.
31600
31601@table @samp
31602@item quit
31603You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31604quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31605
31606@item corefile
31607You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31608create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31609@end table
31610
31611@kindex maint packet
31612@item maint packet @var{text}
31613If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31614then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31615displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31616@samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31617checksum.
31618
31619@kindex maint print architecture
31620@item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31621Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31622@var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31623
31624@kindex maint print c-tdesc
31625@item maint print c-tdesc
31626Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31627a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31628when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31629
31630@kindex maint print dummy-frames
31631@item maint print dummy-frames
31632Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31633
31634@smallexample
31635(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31636@dots{}
31637(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31638Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
3163958 return (a + b);
31640The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31641@dots{}
31642(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
316430x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31644 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31645 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31646(@value{GDBP})
31647@end smallexample
31648
31649Takes an optional file parameter.
31650
31651@kindex maint print registers
31652@kindex maint print raw-registers
31653@kindex maint print cooked-registers
31654@kindex maint print register-groups
31655@item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31656@itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31657@itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31658@itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31659Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31660
31661The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31662the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
31663includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
31664aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
31665command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
31666register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31667@value{GDBN} Internals}.
31668
31669These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31670write the information.
31671
31672@kindex maint print reggroups
31673@item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31674Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31675optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31676information.
31677
31678The register groups info looks like this:
31679
31680@smallexample
31681(@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31682 Group Type
31683 general user
31684 float user
31685 all user
31686 vector user
31687 system user
31688 save internal
31689 restore internal
31690@end smallexample
31691
31692@kindex flushregs
31693@item flushregs
31694This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31695
31696@kindex maint print objfiles
31697@cindex info for known object files
31698@item maint print objfiles
31699Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31700command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31701and symtabs.
31702
31703@kindex maint print section-scripts
31704@cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
31705@item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
31706Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
31707If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
31708matching @var{regexp}.
31709For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
31710and the full path if known.
31711@xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
31712
31713@kindex maint print statistics
31714@cindex bcache statistics
31715@item maint print statistics
31716This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
31717about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
31718statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
31719of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
31720defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
31721the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
31722used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
31723sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
31724average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
31725savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
31726lengths.
31727
31728@kindex maint print target-stack
31729@cindex target stack description
31730@item maint print target-stack
31731A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
31732kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
31733so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
31734In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
31735until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
31736address.
31737
31738This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
31739the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
31740
31741@kindex maint print type
31742@cindex type chain of a data type
31743@item maint print type @var{expr}
31744Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
31745can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
31746that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
31747a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
31748data structures, including its flags and contained types.
31749
31750@kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31751@kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31752@item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31753@item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31754Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
31755information.
31756
31757The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
31758describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
31759@code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
31760expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
31761too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
31762always see the disassembly form.
31763
31764Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
31765
31766@smallexample
31767(gdb) info addr argc
31768Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
31769 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
31770@end smallexample
31771
31772For more information on these expressions, see
31773@uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
31774
31775@kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31776@kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31777@item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31778@itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31779Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
31780
31781@cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
31782In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
31783produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
31784reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
31785This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
31786cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
31787compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
31788memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
31789slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
31790
31791@kindex maint set profile
31792@kindex maint show profile
31793@cindex profiling GDB
31794@item maint set profile
31795@itemx maint show profile
31796Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
31797
31798Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
31799command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
31800collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
31801exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
31802if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
31803(often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
31804data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
31805
31806Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
31807compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
31808
31809@kindex maint set show-debug-regs
31810@kindex maint show show-debug-regs
31811@cindex hardware debug registers
31812@item maint set show-debug-regs
31813@itemx maint show show-debug-regs
31814Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
31815registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
31816enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
31817removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
31818triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
31819
31820@kindex maint set show-all-tib
31821@kindex maint show show-all-tib
31822@item maint set show-all-tib
31823@itemx maint show show-all-tib
31824Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
31825at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
31826command.
31827
31828@kindex maint space
31829@cindex memory used by commands
31830@item maint space
31831Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
31832nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
31833took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
31834by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
31835switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31836
31837@kindex maint time
31838@cindex time of command execution
31839@item maint time
31840Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
31841set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
31842took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
31843The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
31844there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
31845by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
31846it's not possibly currently
31847This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
31848@option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31849
31850@kindex maint translate-address
31851@item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
31852Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
31853@var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
31854@value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
31855the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
31856the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
31857command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
31858
31859If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
31860is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
31861executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
31862
31863@end table
31864
31865The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
31866@value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
31867
31868@table @code
31869@item set watchdog @var{nsec}
31870@kindex set watchdog
31871@cindex watchdog timer
31872@cindex timeout for commands
31873Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
31874target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
31875reports and error and the command is aborted.
31876
31877@item show watchdog
31878Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
31879@end table
31880
31881@node Remote Protocol
31882@appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
31883
31884@menu
31885* Overview::
31886* Packets::
31887* Stop Reply Packets::
31888* General Query Packets::
31889* Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
31890* Tracepoint Packets::
31891* Host I/O Packets::
31892* Interrupts::
31893* Notification Packets::
31894* Remote Non-Stop::
31895* Packet Acknowledgment::
31896* Examples::
31897* File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
31898* Library List Format::
31899* Memory Map Format::
31900* Thread List Format::
31901* Traceframe Info Format::
31902@end menu
31903
31904@node Overview
31905@section Overview
31906
31907There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
31908protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
31909machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
31910recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
31911
31912In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
31913transmitted and received data, respectively.
31914
31915@cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
31916@cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
31917@cindex remote serial protocol
31918All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
31919and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
31920@var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
31921@samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
31922@samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
31923
31924@smallexample
31925@code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31926@end smallexample
31927@noindent
31928
31929@cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
31930@noindent
31931The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
31932characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
31933eight bit unsigned checksum).
31934
31935Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
31936specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
31937
31938@smallexample
31939@code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31940@end smallexample
31941
31942@cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
31943@noindent
31944That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
31945has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
31946since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
31947
31948When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
31949response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
31950the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
31951retransmission):
31952
31953@smallexample
31954-> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31955<- @code{+}
31956@end smallexample
31957@noindent
31958
31959The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
31960once a connection is established.
31961@xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
31962
31963The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
31964debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
31965the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
31966when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
31967threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
31968behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
31969execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
31970
31971@var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
31972exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
31973exceptions).
31974
31975@cindex remote protocol, field separator
31976Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
31977@samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
31978@sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
31979
31980Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
31981@samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
31982would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
31983
31984@cindex remote protocol, binary data
31985@anchor{Binary Data}
31986Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
31987digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
31988protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
31989Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
31990connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
31991binary data.
31992
31993The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
31994as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
31995character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
31996For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
31997bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
31998@code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
31999@samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
32000must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
32001is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
32002(described next).
32003
32004Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
32005Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
32006instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
32007repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
32008binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
32009@code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
32010produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
32011code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
32012encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
32013@samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
32014after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
320153}} more times.
32016
32017The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
32018greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
32019seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
32020five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
32021@samp{0*"00}.
32022
32023The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
32024error number. That number is not well defined.
32025
32026@cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
32027For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
32028(@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
32029protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
32030on that response.
32031
32032A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
32033@samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
32034optional.
32035
32036@node Packets
32037@section Packets
32038
32039The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
32040@var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
32041@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
32042I/O extension of the remote protocol.
32043
32044Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
32045syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
32046include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
32047part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
32048separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
32049@var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
32050bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
32051@var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
32052@samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
32053@var{baz}.
32054
32055@cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
32056@anchor{thread-id syntax}
32057Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
32058a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
32059interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
32060can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
32061pick any thread.
32062
32063In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
32064which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
32065process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
32066The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
32067format described above: a positive number with target-specific
32068interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
32069to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
32070indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
32071@samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
32072error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
32073@samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
32074for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
32075ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
32076
32077The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
32078@value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
32079feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
32080more information.
32081
32082Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
32083letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
32084
32085Here are the packet descriptions.
32086
32087@table @samp
32088
32089@item !
32090@cindex @samp{!} packet
32091@anchor{extended mode}
32092Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
32093persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
32094debugged.
32095
32096Reply:
32097@table @samp
32098@item OK
32099The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
32100@end table
32101
32102@item ?
32103@cindex @samp{?} packet
32104Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
32105step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
32106target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
32107
32108Reply:
32109@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32110
32111@item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
32112@cindex @samp{A} packet
32113Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
32114specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
32115@var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
32116
32117Reply:
32118@table @samp
32119@item OK
32120The arguments were set.
32121@item E @var{NN}
32122An error occurred.
32123@end table
32124
32125@item b @var{baud}
32126@cindex @samp{b} packet
32127(Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
32128Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
32129
32130JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
32131received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
32132problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
32133
32134Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
32135it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
32136some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
32137switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
32138of view, nothing actually happened.}
32139
32140@item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
32141@cindex @samp{B} packet
32142Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
32143breakpoint at @var{addr}.
32144
32145Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
32146(@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
32147
32148@cindex @samp{bc} packet
32149@anchor{bc}
32150@item bc
32151Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
32152@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32153
32154Reply:
32155@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32156
32157@cindex @samp{bs} packet
32158@anchor{bs}
32159@item bs
32160Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
32161@xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32162
32163Reply:
32164@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32165
32166@item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32167@cindex @samp{c} packet
32168Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
32169resume at current address.
32170
32171Reply:
32172@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32173
32174@item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32175@cindex @samp{C} packet
32176Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
32177@samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
32178
32179Reply:
32180@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32181
32182@item d
32183@cindex @samp{d} packet
32184Toggle debug flag.
32185
32186Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
32187(@pxref{General Query Packets}).
32188
32189@item D
32190@itemx D;@var{pid}
32191@cindex @samp{D} packet
32192The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
32193remote system. It is sent to the remote target
32194before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
32195
32196The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
32197protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
32198detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
32199big-endian hex string.
32200
32201Reply:
32202@table @samp
32203@item OK
32204for success
32205@item E @var{NN}
32206for an error
32207@end table
32208
32209@item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
32210@cindex @samp{F} packet
32211A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
32212This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
32213Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
32214
32215@item g
32216@anchor{read registers packet}
32217@cindex @samp{g} packet
32218Read general registers.
32219
32220Reply:
32221@table @samp
32222@item @var{XX@dots{}}
32223Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
32224with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
32225each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
32226determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
32227@code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
32228specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
32229
32230When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
32231Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
32232literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
32233that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
32234is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
322354 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
32236registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
32237have been collected, and both have zero value:
32238
32239@smallexample
32240-> @code{g}
32241<- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
32242@end smallexample
32243
32244@item E @var{NN}
32245for an error.
32246@end table
32247
32248@item G @var{XX@dots{}}
32249@cindex @samp{G} packet
32250Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
32251description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
32252
32253Reply:
32254@table @samp
32255@item OK
32256for success
32257@item E @var{NN}
32258for an error
32259@end table
32260
32261@item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
32262@cindex @samp{H} packet
32263Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
32264@samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
32265should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
32266operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
32267interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32268
32269Reply:
32270@table @samp
32271@item OK
32272for success
32273@item E @var{NN}
32274for an error
32275@end table
32276
32277@c FIXME: JTC:
32278@c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
32279@c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
32280@c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
32281@c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
32282@c described. For example:
32283@c
32284@c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32285@c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
32286@c otherwise returns current registers.
32287@c
32288@c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32289@c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
32290@c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
32291
32292@item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
32293@anchor{cycle step packet}
32294@cindex @samp{i} packet
32295Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
32296present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
32297step starting at that address.
32298
32299@item I
32300@cindex @samp{I} packet
32301Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
32302step packet}.
32303
32304@item k
32305@cindex @samp{k} packet
32306Kill request.
32307
32308FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
32309thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
32310thread?)}.
32311
32312@item m @var{addr},@var{length}
32313@cindex @samp{m} packet
32314Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32315Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
32316
32317The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
32318data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
32319and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
32320use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
32321suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
32322@cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
32323@cindex size of remote memory accesses
32324@cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
32325
32326Reply:
32327@table @samp
32328@item @var{XX@dots{}}
32329Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
32330number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
32331server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
32332@item E @var{NN}
32333@var{NN} is errno
32334@end table
32335
32336@item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32337@cindex @samp{M} packet
32338Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32339@var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
32340hexadecimal number.
32341
32342Reply:
32343@table @samp
32344@item OK
32345for success
32346@item E @var{NN}
32347for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
32348written).
32349@end table
32350
32351@item p @var{n}
32352@cindex @samp{p} packet
32353Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
32354@xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
32355register value is encoded.
32356
32357Reply:
32358@table @samp
32359@item @var{XX@dots{}}
32360the register's value
32361@item E @var{NN}
32362for an error
32363@item
32364Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
32365@end table
32366
32367@item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
32368@anchor{write register packet}
32369@cindex @samp{P} packet
32370Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
32371number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
32372digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
32373
32374Reply:
32375@table @samp
32376@item OK
32377for success
32378@item E @var{NN}
32379for an error
32380@end table
32381
32382@item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32383@itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32384@cindex @samp{q} packet
32385@cindex @samp{Q} packet
32386General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
32387described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
32388
32389@item r
32390@cindex @samp{r} packet
32391Reset the entire system.
32392
32393Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
32394
32395@item R @var{XX}
32396@cindex @samp{R} packet
32397Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
32398This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32399
32400The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
32401
32402@item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32403@cindex @samp{s} packet
32404Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
32405@var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
32406
32407Reply:
32408@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32409
32410@item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32411@anchor{step with signal packet}
32412@cindex @samp{S} packet
32413Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
32414requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
32415
32416Reply:
32417@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32418
32419@item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
32420@cindex @samp{t} packet
32421Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
32422@var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
32423@var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
32424
32425@item T @var{thread-id}
32426@cindex @samp{T} packet
32427Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32428
32429Reply:
32430@table @samp
32431@item OK
32432thread is still alive
32433@item E @var{NN}
32434thread is dead
32435@end table
32436
32437@item v
32438Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
32439up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
32440
32441@item vAttach;@var{pid}
32442@cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
32443Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
32444The process ID is a
32445hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
32446threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
32447attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
32448
32449@c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
32450@c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
32451@c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
32452@c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
32453@c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
32454@c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
32455@c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
32456@c stopping or restarting threads.
32457
32458This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32459
32460Reply:
32461@table @samp
32462@item E @var{nn}
32463for an error
32464@item @r{Any stop packet}
32465for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32466@item OK
32467for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
32468@end table
32469
32470@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
32471@cindex @samp{vCont} packet
32472Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
32473If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
32474threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
32475specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
32476in their current state in non-stop mode.
32477Specifying multiple
32478default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
32479Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32480
32481Currently supported actions are:
32482
32483@table @samp
32484@item c
32485Continue.
32486@item C @var{sig}
32487Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32488@item s
32489Step.
32490@item S @var{sig}
32491Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32492@item t
32493Stop.
32494@end table
32495
32496The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
32497@samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
32498not supported in @samp{vCont}.
32499
32500The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
32501(@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
32502A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
32503When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
32504the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
32505signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
32506as an implementation detail.
32507
32508Reply:
32509@xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32510
32511@item vCont?
32512@cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
32513Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
32514
32515Reply:
32516@table @samp
32517@item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
32518The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
32519command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
32520@item
32521The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
32522@end table
32523
32524@item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32525@cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32526Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32527see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32528
32529@item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32530@cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32531Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32532@var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32533its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32534flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32535Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32536together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32537stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32538packet is received.
32539
32540The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32541multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32542this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32543in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32544@var{thread-id}.
32545
32546Reply:
32547@table @samp
32548@item OK
32549for success
32550@item E @var{NN}
32551for an error
32552@end table
32553
32554@item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32555@cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32556Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32557is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32558packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32559@samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32560not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32561(although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32562have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32563@samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32564neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32565target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32566
32567
32568Reply:
32569@table @samp
32570@item OK
32571for success
32572@item E.memtype
32573for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32574@item E @var{NN}
32575for an error
32576@end table
32577
32578@item vFlashDone
32579@cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32580Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32581The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32582@samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32583@samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32584regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32585request is completed.
32586
32587@item vKill;@var{pid}
32588@cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32589Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32590hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32591preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32592supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32593
32594Reply:
32595@table @samp
32596@item E @var{nn}
32597for an error
32598@item OK
32599for success
32600@end table
32601
32602@item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32603@cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32604Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32605command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32606@var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32607(e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32608state.
32609
32610@c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32611
32612This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32613
32614Reply:
32615@table @samp
32616@item E @var{nn}
32617for an error
32618@item @r{Any stop packet}
32619for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32620@end table
32621
32622@item vStopped
32623@anchor{vStopped packet}
32624@cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32625
32626In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32627reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32628
32629Reply:
32630@table @samp
32631@item @r{Any stop packet}
32632if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32633@item OK
32634if there are no unreported stop events
32635@end table
32636
32637@item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32638@anchor{X packet}
32639@cindex @samp{X} packet
32640Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32641@var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32642@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32643
32644Reply:
32645@table @samp
32646@item OK
32647for success
32648@item E @var{NN}
32649for an error
32650@end table
32651
32652@item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32653@itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32654@anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32655@cindex @samp{z} packet
32656@cindex @samp{Z} packets
32657Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32658watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32659
32660Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32661separately.
32662
32663@emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32664for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32665remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32666@samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32667avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32668be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32669
32670@item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32671@itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32672@cindex @samp{z0} packet
32673@cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32674Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32675@var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32676
32677A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32678@var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32679@var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32680the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32681and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32682architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32683see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
32684
32685@emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
32686code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
32687overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
32688target, is not defined.}
32689
32690Reply:
32691@table @samp
32692@item OK
32693success
32694@item
32695not supported
32696@item E @var{NN}
32697for an error
32698@end table
32699
32700@item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32701@itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32702@cindex @samp{z1} packet
32703@cindex @samp{Z1} packet
32704Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
32705address @var{addr}.
32706
32707A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
32708dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
32709has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
32710
32711@emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
32712movement.}
32713
32714Reply:
32715@table @samp
32716@item OK
32717success
32718@item
32719not supported
32720@item E @var{NN}
32721for an error
32722@end table
32723
32724@item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32725@itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32726@cindex @samp{z2} packet
32727@cindex @samp{Z2} packet
32728Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32729@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32730
32731Reply:
32732@table @samp
32733@item OK
32734success
32735@item
32736not supported
32737@item E @var{NN}
32738for an error
32739@end table
32740
32741@item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32742@itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32743@cindex @samp{z3} packet
32744@cindex @samp{Z3} packet
32745Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32746@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32747
32748Reply:
32749@table @samp
32750@item OK
32751success
32752@item
32753not supported
32754@item E @var{NN}
32755for an error
32756@end table
32757
32758@item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32759@itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32760@cindex @samp{z4} packet
32761@cindex @samp{Z4} packet
32762Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32763@var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32764
32765Reply:
32766@table @samp
32767@item OK
32768success
32769@item
32770not supported
32771@item E @var{NN}
32772for an error
32773@end table
32774
32775@end table
32776
32777@node Stop Reply Packets
32778@section Stop Reply Packets
32779@cindex stop reply packets
32780
32781The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
32782@samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
32783receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
32784and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
32785when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
32786number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
32787@value{GDBN} source code.
32788
32789As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
32790reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
32791syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
32792components.
32793
32794@table @samp
32795
32796@item S @var{AA}
32797The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32798number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
32799@var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
32800
32801@item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
32802@cindex @samp{T} packet reply
32803The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32804number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
32805@samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
32806and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
32807round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
32808this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
32809
32810@itemize @bullet
32811@item
32812If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
32813corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
32814series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
32815two-digit hex number.
32816
32817@item
32818If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
32819the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32820
32821@item
32822If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
32823the core on which the stop event was detected.
32824
32825@item
32826If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
32827specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
32828reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
32829signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
32830
32831@item
32832Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
32833and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
32834future.
32835@end itemize
32836
32837The currently defined stop reasons are:
32838
32839@table @samp
32840@item watch
32841@itemx rwatch
32842@itemx awatch
32843The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
32844hex.
32845
32846@cindex shared library events, remote reply
32847@item library
32848The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
32849@value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
32850list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
32851
32852@cindex replay log events, remote reply
32853@item replaylog
32854The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
32855logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
32856beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
32857will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
32858for more information.
32859@end table
32860
32861@item W @var{AA}
32862@itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32863The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
32864applicable to certain targets.
32865
32866The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
32867process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
32868multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32869The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32870
32871@item X @var{AA}
32872@itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32873The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
32874
32875The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
32876terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
32877support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
32878extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32879
32880@item O @var{XX}@dots{}
32881@samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
32882written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
32883while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
32884for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
32885
32886@item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
32887@var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
32888be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
32889correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
32890@xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
32891system calls.
32892
32893@samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
32894this very system call.
32895
32896The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
32897call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
32898with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
32899reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
32900or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
32901Protocol Extension}, for more details.
32902
32903@end table
32904
32905@node General Query Packets
32906@section General Query Packets
32907@cindex remote query requests
32908
32909Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
32910packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
32911query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
32912sending information to and from the stub.
32913
32914The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
32915indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
32916@value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
32917definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
32918conventions:
32919
32920@itemize @bullet
32921@item
32922The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
32923@item
32924Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
32925letter.
32926@item
32927The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
32928lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
32929the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
32930foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
32931@end itemize
32932
32933The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
32934parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
32935separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
32936full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
32937in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
32938with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
32939packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
32940for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
32941are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
32942existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
32943packet.}.
32944
32945Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
32946has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
32947explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
32948templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
32949@value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
32950
32951Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
32952
32953@table @samp
32954
32955@item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
32956@cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
32957Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
32958target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
32959pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
32960@samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
32961@samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
32962indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
32963indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
32964own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
32965insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
32966
32967@item qC
32968@cindex current thread, remote request
32969@cindex @samp{qC} packet
32970Return the current thread ID.
32971
32972Reply:
32973@table @samp
32974@item QC @var{thread-id}
32975Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
32976@ref{thread-id syntax}.
32977@item @r{(anything else)}
32978Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
32979@end table
32980
32981@item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
32982@cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
32983@cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
32984Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
32985IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
32986significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
32987@code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
32988
32989@emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
32990files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
32991Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
32992separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
32993significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
32994detect trailing zeros.
32995
32996Reply:
32997@table @samp
32998@item E @var{NN}
32999An error (such as memory fault)
33000@item C @var{crc32}
33001The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
33002@end table
33003
33004@item qfThreadInfo
33005@itemx qsThreadInfo
33006@cindex list active threads, remote request
33007@cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
33008@cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
33009Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
33010may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
33011works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
33012obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
33013be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
33014sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
33015
33016NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
33017
33018Reply:
33019@table @samp
33020@item m @var{thread-id}
33021A single thread ID
33022@item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
33023a comma-separated list of thread IDs
33024@item l
33025(lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33026@end table
33027
33028In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33029more thread IDs, separated by commas.
33030@value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
33031ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
33032with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
33033Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
33034fields.
33035
33036@item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
33037@cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
33038@cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
33039Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
33040by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
33041
33042@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
33043thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
33044
33045@var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
33046thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
33047information associated with the variable.)
33048
33049@var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
33050the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
33051a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
33052object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
33053Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
33054differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
33055
33056Reply:
33057@table @samp
33058@item @var{XX}@dots{}
33059Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
33060local storage requested.
33061
33062@item E @var{nn}
33063An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33064
33065@item
33066An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33067@end table
33068
33069@item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
33070@cindex get thread information block address
33071@cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
33072Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
33073
33074@var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
33075
33076Reply:
33077@table @samp
33078@item @var{XX}@dots{}
33079Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
33080thread information block.
33081
33082@item E @var{nn}
33083An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
33084address could not be retrieved.
33085
33086@item
33087An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33088@end table
33089
33090@item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
33091Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
33092digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
33093subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
33094number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
33095(eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
33096returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
33097
33098Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
33099
33100Reply:
33101@table @samp
33102@item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
33103Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
33104returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
33105and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
33106digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
33107is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
33108digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
33109@end table
33110
33111@item qOffsets
33112@cindex section offsets, remote request
33113@cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
33114Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
33115image.
33116
33117Reply:
33118@table @samp
33119@item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
33120Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
33121Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
33122If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
33123@samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
33124segments by the supplied offsets.
33125
33126@emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
33127@value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
33128to the @code{Bss} section.}
33129
33130@item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
33131Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
33132contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
33133@samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
33134conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
33135@var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
33136does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
33137as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
33138kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
33139@end table
33140
33141@item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
33142@cindex thread information, remote request
33143@cindex @samp{qP} packet
33144Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
33145encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
33146(@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
33147
33148Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
33149(see below).
33150
33151Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
33152
33153@item QNonStop:1
33154@item QNonStop:0
33155@cindex non-stop mode, remote request
33156@cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
33157@anchor{QNonStop}
33158Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
33159@xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
33160
33161Reply:
33162@table @samp
33163@item OK
33164The request succeeded.
33165
33166@item E @var{nn}
33167An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33168
33169@item
33170An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
33171the stub.
33172@end table
33173
33174This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33175by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33176Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
33177@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
33178
33179@item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
33180@cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
33181@cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33182@anchor{QPassSignals}
33183Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
33184Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
33185(@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
33186strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
33187the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
33188reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
33189combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
33190new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
33191@var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
33192
33193Reply:
33194@table @samp
33195@item OK
33196The request succeeded.
33197
33198@item E @var{nn}
33199An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33200
33201@item
33202An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
33203the stub.
33204@end table
33205
33206Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
33207command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
33208This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33209by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33210
33211@item qRcmd,@var{command}
33212@cindex execute remote command, remote request
33213@cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
33214@var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
33215execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
33216string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
33217with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
33218packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
33219stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
33220
33221Reply:
33222@table @samp
33223@item OK
33224A command response with no output.
33225@item @var{OUTPUT}
33226A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
33227@item E @var{NN}
33228Indicate a badly formed request.
33229@item
33230An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
33231@end table
33232
33233(Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
33234command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33235conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33236packets.)
33237
33238@item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
33239@cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
33240@cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
33241@anchor{qSearch memory}
33242Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
33243@var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
33244@var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
33245
33246Reply:
33247@table @samp
33248@item 0
33249The pattern was not found.
33250@item 1,address
33251The pattern was found at @var{address}.
33252@item E @var{NN}
33253A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
33254@item
33255An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
33256@end table
33257
33258@item QStartNoAckMode
33259@cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
33260@anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
33261Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
33262protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
33263
33264Reply:
33265@table @samp
33266@item OK
33267The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
33268@value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
33269but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
33270@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
33271@item
33272An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
33273@end table
33274
33275@item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
33276@cindex supported packets, remote query
33277@cindex features of the remote protocol
33278@cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
33279@anchor{qSupported}
33280Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
33281query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
33282@value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
33283features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
33284at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
33285packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
33286high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
33287be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
33288stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
33289automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
33290reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
33291unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
33292helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
33293versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
33294
33295Reply:
33296@table @samp
33297@item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
33298The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
33299depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
33300possible forms).
33301@item
33302An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
33303or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
33304@end table
33305
33306The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
33307@samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
33308are:
33309
33310@table @samp
33311@item @var{name}=@var{value}
33312The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
33313with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
33314on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
33315@item @var{name}+
33316The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
33317need an associated value.
33318@item @var{name}-
33319The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
33320@item @var{name}?
33321The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
33322@value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
33323needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
33324but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
33325@end table
33326
33327Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
33328supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
33329request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
33330state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
33331a different version of @value{GDBN}.
33332
33333The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
33334are defined:
33335
33336@table @samp
33337@item multiprocess
33338This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
33339extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
33340extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
33341including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
33342@xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
33343
33344@item xmlRegisters
33345This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
33346description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
33347specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
33348description.
33349
33350@item qRelocInsn
33351This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
33352@samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33353instruction reply packet}).
33354@end table
33355
33356Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
33357@var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
33358packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
33359versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
33360for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
33361advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
33362improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
33363an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
33364of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
33365describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
33366all the features it supports.
33367
33368Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
33369responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
33370
33371Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
33372should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
33373require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
33374form response.
33375
33376Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
33377@samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
33378in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
33379stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
33380
33381Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
33382mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
33383architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
33384about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
33385stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
33386
33387These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
33388
33389@multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
33390@c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
33391@c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
33392@item Feature Name
33393@tab Value Required
33394@tab Default
33395@tab Probe Allowed
33396
33397@item @samp{PacketSize}
33398@tab Yes
33399@tab @samp{-}
33400@tab No
33401
33402@item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
33403@tab No
33404@tab @samp{-}
33405@tab Yes
33406
33407@item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
33408@tab No
33409@tab @samp{-}
33410@tab Yes
33411
33412@item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33413@tab No
33414@tab @samp{-}
33415@tab Yes
33416
33417@item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33418@tab No
33419@tab @samp{-}
33420@tab Yes
33421
33422@item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
33423@tab No
33424@tab @samp{-}
33425@tab Yes
33426
33427@item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
33428@tab No
33429@tab @samp{-}
33430@tab Yes
33431
33432@item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
33433@tab No
33434@tab @samp{-}
33435@tab Yes
33436
33437@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
33438@tab No
33439@tab @samp{-}
33440@tab Yes
33441
33442@item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
33443@tab No
33444@tab @samp{-}
33445@tab Yes
33446
33447@item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
33448@tab No
33449@tab @samp{-}
33450@tab Yes
33451
33452@item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33453@tab No
33454@tab @samp{-}
33455@tab Yes
33456
33457
33458@item @samp{QNonStop}
33459@tab No
33460@tab @samp{-}
33461@tab Yes
33462
33463@item @samp{QPassSignals}
33464@tab No
33465@tab @samp{-}
33466@tab Yes
33467
33468@item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
33469@tab No
33470@tab @samp{-}
33471@tab Yes
33472
33473@item @samp{multiprocess}
33474@tab No
33475@tab @samp{-}
33476@tab No
33477
33478@item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
33479@tab No
33480@tab @samp{-}
33481@tab No
33482
33483@item @samp{ReverseContinue}
33484@tab No
33485@tab @samp{-}
33486@tab No
33487
33488@item @samp{ReverseStep}
33489@tab No
33490@tab @samp{-}
33491@tab No
33492
33493@item @samp{TracepointSource}
33494@tab No
33495@tab @samp{-}
33496@tab No
33497
33498@item @samp{QAllow}
33499@tab No
33500@tab @samp{-}
33501@tab No
33502
33503@end multitable
33504
33505These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
33506
33507@table @samp
33508@cindex packet size, remote protocol
33509@item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
33510The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
33511length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
33512transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
33513data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
33514There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
33515stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
33516byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
33517@value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
33518
33519@item qXfer:auxv:read
33520The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
33521(@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
33522
33523@item qXfer:features:read
33524The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
33525(@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
33526
33527@item qXfer:libraries:read
33528The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
33529(@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33530
33531@item qXfer:memory-map:read
33532The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33533(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33534
33535@item qXfer:sdata:read
33536The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33537(@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33538
33539@item qXfer:spu:read
33540The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33541(@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33542
33543@item qXfer:spu:write
33544The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33545(@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33546
33547@item qXfer:siginfo:read
33548The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33549(@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33550
33551@item qXfer:siginfo:write
33552The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33553(@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33554
33555@item qXfer:threads:read
33556The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33557(@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33558
33559@item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
33560The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33561packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
33562
33563@item QNonStop
33564The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33565(@pxref{QNonStop}).
33566
33567@item QPassSignals
33568The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33569(@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33570
33571@item QStartNoAckMode
33572The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33573prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33574
33575@item multiprocess
33576@anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33577@cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33578The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33579protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33580thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33581add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33582replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33583syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33584debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33585multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33586indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33587
33588@item qXfer:osdata:read
33589The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33590((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33591
33592@item ConditionalTracepoints
33593The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33594for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33595
33596@item ReverseContinue
33597The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33598(@pxref{bc}).
33599
33600@item ReverseStep
33601The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33602(@pxref{bs}).
33603
33604@item TracepointSource
33605The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33606the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33607
33608@item QAllow
33609The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33610
33611@item StaticTracepoint
33612@cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33613The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33614
33615@end table
33616
33617@item qSymbol::
33618@cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33619@cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33620Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33621requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33622
33623Reply:
33624@table @samp
33625@item OK
33626The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33627@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33628The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33629@value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33630@samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33631below.
33632@end table
33633
33634@item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33635Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33636
33637@var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33638target has previously requested.
33639
33640@var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33641@value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33642will be empty.
33643
33644Reply:
33645@table @samp
33646@item OK
33647The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33648@item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33649The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33650encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33651(if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33652@end table
33653
33654@item qTBuffer
33655@item QTBuffer
33656@item QTDisconnected
33657@itemx QTDP
33658@itemx QTDPsrc
33659@itemx QTDV
33660@itemx qTfP
33661@itemx qTfV
33662@itemx QTFrame
33663@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33664
33665@item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33666@cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33667@cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33668Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33669the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33670see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33671string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33672for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33673displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
33674examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
33675@samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
33676
33677Reply:
33678@table @samp
33679@item @var{XX}@dots{}
33680Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
33681comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
33682the thread's attributes.
33683@end table
33684
33685(Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
33686the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33687conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33688packets.)
33689
33690@item QTSave
33691@item qTsP
33692@item qTsV
33693@itemx QTStart
33694@itemx QTStop
33695@itemx QTinit
33696@itemx QTro
33697@itemx qTStatus
33698@itemx qTV
33699@itemx qTfSTM
33700@itemx qTsSTM
33701@itemx qTSTMat
33702@xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33703
33704@item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33705@cindex read special object, remote request
33706@cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
33707@anchor{qXfer read}
33708Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
33709identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
33710starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
33711encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
33712additional details about what data to access.
33713
33714Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33715@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33716formats, listed below.
33717
33718@table @samp
33719@item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33720@anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
33721Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
33722auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
33723
33724This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33725by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33726
33727@item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33728@anchor{qXfer target description read}
33729Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
33730annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
33731always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
33732
33733This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33734by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33735
33736@item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33737@anchor{qXfer library list read}
33738Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
33739The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33740(@pxref{qXfer read}).
33741
33742Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
33743not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
33744the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
33745
33746This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33747by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33748
33749@item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33750@anchor{qXfer memory map read}
33751Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
33752annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33753(@pxref{qXfer read}).
33754
33755This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33756by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33757
33758@item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33759@anchor{qXfer sdata read}
33760
33761Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
33762information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
33763be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
33764Action Lists}.
33765
33766This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33767by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33768(@pxref{qSupported}).
33769
33770@item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33771@anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
33772Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
33773system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33774empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33775
33776This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33777by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33778(@pxref{qSupported}).
33779
33780@item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33781@anchor{qXfer spu read}
33782Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33783annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
33784@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33785in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33786in that context to be accessed.
33787
33788This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33789by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33790(@pxref{qSupported}).
33791
33792@item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33793@anchor{qXfer threads read}
33794Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
33795annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33796(@pxref{qXfer read}).
33797
33798This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33799by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33800
33801@item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33802@anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
33803
33804Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
33805@xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
33806@samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33807
33808This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33809by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33810
33811@item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33812@anchor{qXfer osdata read}
33813Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
33814@xref{Operating System Information}.
33815
33816@end table
33817
33818Reply:
33819@table @samp
33820@item m @var{data}
33821Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
33822target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
33823it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
33824block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
33825@var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
33826request.
33827
33828@item l @var{data}
33829Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
33830There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
33831than the @var{length} in the request.
33832
33833@item l
33834The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
33835There is no more data to be read.
33836
33837@item E00
33838The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33839
33840@item E @var{nn}
33841The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
33842@var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33843
33844@item
33845An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
33846the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
33847@end table
33848
33849@item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33850@cindex write data into object, remote request
33851@anchor{qXfer write}
33852Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
33853identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
33854into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
33855(@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
33856is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
33857to access.
33858
33859Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33860@samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33861formats, listed below.
33862
33863@table @samp
33864@item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33865@anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
33866Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
33867The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33868empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
33869
33870This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33871by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33872(@pxref{qSupported}).
33873
33874@item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33875@anchor{qXfer spu write}
33876Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33877annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
33878@file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33879in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33880in that context to be accessed.
33881
33882This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33883by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33884@end table
33885
33886Reply:
33887@table @samp
33888@item @var{nn}
33889@var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
33890This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
33891
33892@item E00
33893The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33894
33895@item E @var{nn}
33896The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
33897@var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33898
33899@item
33900An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
33901recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
33902@end table
33903
33904@item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
33905Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
33906not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
33907@var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
33908must respond with an empty packet.
33909
33910@item qAttached:@var{pid}
33911@cindex query attached, remote request
33912@cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
33913Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
33914existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
33915protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
33916@var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
33917process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
33918the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
33919
33920This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
33921should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
33922the @code{quit} command.
33923
33924Reply:
33925@table @samp
33926@item 1
33927The remote server attached to an existing process.
33928@item 0
33929The remote server created a new process.
33930@item E @var{NN}
33931A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
33932@end table
33933
33934@end table
33935
33936@node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33937@section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33938
33939This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
33940target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
33941details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
33942
33943@subsection ARM
33944
33945@subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
33946
33947These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
33948
33949@table @r
33950
33951@item 2
3395216-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
33953
33954@item 3
3395532-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
33956
33957@item 4
3395832-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
33959
33960@end table
33961
33962@subsection MIPS
33963
33964@subsubsection Register Packet Format
33965
33966The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
33967In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
33968sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
33969to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
33970byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
33971most-significant - least-significant.
33972
33973@table @r
33974
33975@item MIPS32
33976
33977All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
3397832 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
33979registers; fsr; fir; fp.
33980
33981@item MIPS64
33982
33983All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
33984thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
33985as @code{MIPS32}.
33986
33987@end table
33988
33989@node Tracepoint Packets
33990@section Tracepoint Packets
33991@cindex tracepoint packets
33992@cindex packets, tracepoint
33993
33994Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
33995tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33996
33997@table @samp
33998
33999@item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
34000Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
34001is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
34002the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
34003count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
34004then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
34005the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
34006for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
34007tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
34008by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
34009encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
34010further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
34011actions.
34012
34013Replies:
34014@table @samp
34015@item OK
34016The packet was understood and carried out.
34017@item qRelocInsn
34018@xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34019@item
34020The packet was not recognized.
34021@end table
34022
34023@item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
34024Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
34025@var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
34026this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
34027another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
34028trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
34029specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
34030
34031In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
34032can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
34033is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
34034actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
34035taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
34036@samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
34037tracepoint actions.
34038
34039The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
34040actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
34041following forms:
34042
34043@table @samp
34044
34045@item R @var{mask}
34046Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
34047a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
34048@var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
34049zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
34050not fit in a 32-bit word.
34051
34052@item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
34053Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
34054number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
34055@samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
34056address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
34057@var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
34058values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
34059
34060@item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34061Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
34062it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
34063@ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
34064two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
34065in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
34066packet).
34067
34068@end table
34069
34070Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
34071packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
34072length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
34073action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
34074actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
34075must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
34076``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
34077separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
34078
34079Replies:
34080@table @samp
34081@item OK
34082The packet was understood and carried out.
34083@item qRelocInsn
34084@xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34085@item
34086The packet was not recognized.
34087@end table
34088
34089@item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
34090@cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
34091Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
34092This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
34093originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
34094is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
34095tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
34096@var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
34097
34098@var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
34099string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
34100This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
34101fit in a single packet.
34102@c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
34103@c tracepoint descriptions section.
34104
34105The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
34106@samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
34107@value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
34108list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
34109
34110The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
34111report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
34112query packets.
34113
34114Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
34115if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
34116Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
34117much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
34118tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
34119the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
34120could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
34121be found.
34122
34123@item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
34124@cindex define trace state variable, remote request
34125@cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
34126Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
34127value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
34128and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
34129the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
34130target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
34131mentioned in expressions.
34132
34133@item QTFrame:@var{n}
34134Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
34135register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
34136request packets from @value{GDBN}.
34137
34138A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
34139requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
34140without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
34141one of the following forms:
34142
34143@table @samp
34144@item F @var{f}
34145The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
34146@var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
34147was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
34148
34149@item T @var{t}
34150The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
34151@var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
34152
34153@end table
34154
34155@item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
34156Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34157currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
34158@var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
34159
34160@item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
34161Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34162currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
34163is a hexadecimal number.
34164
34165@item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
34166Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34167currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
34168and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
34169numbers.
34170
34171@item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
34172Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
34173frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
34174
34175@item QTStart
34176Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
34177tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
34178@samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
34179instruction reply packet}).
34180
34181@item QTStop
34182End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
34183
34184@item QTinit
34185Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
34186
34187@item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
34188Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
34189will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
34190if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
34191
34192@value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
34193containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
34194still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
34195there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
34196
34197@item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
34198Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
34199disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
34200continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
34201@value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
34202
34203@item qTStatus
34204Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
34205
34206The reply has the form:
34207
34208@table @samp
34209
34210@item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
34211@var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
34212running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
34213optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
34214
34215@end table
34216
34217If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
34218explanations as one of the optional fields:
34219
34220@table @samp
34221
34222@item tnotrun:0
34223No trace has been run yet.
34224
34225@item tstop:0
34226The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
34227
34228@item tfull:0
34229The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
34230
34231@item tdisconnected:0
34232The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
34233
34234@item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
34235The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
34236
34237@item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
34238The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
34239string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
34240(for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
34241@var{text} is hex encoded.
34242
34243@item tunknown:0
34244The trace stopped for some other reason.
34245
34246@end table
34247
34248Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
34249Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
34250the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
34251numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
34252trace.
34253
34254@table @samp
34255
34256@item tframes:@var{n}
34257The number of trace frames in the buffer.
34258
34259@item tcreated:@var{n}
34260The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
34261be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
34262
34263@item tsize:@var{n}
34264The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
34265
34266@item tfree:@var{n}
34267The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
34268
34269@item circular:@var{n}
34270The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
34271trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
34272necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
34273and may fill up.
34274
34275@item disconn:@var{n}
34276The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
34277tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
34278that the trace run will stop.
34279
34280@end table
34281
34282@item qTV:@var{var}
34283@cindex trace state variable value, remote request
34284@cindex @samp{qTV} packet
34285Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
34286
34287Replies:
34288@table @samp
34289@item V@var{value}
34290The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
34291value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
34292saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
34293user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
34294different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
34295program is running.
34296
34297@item U
34298The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
34299if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
34300was not collected.
34301@end table
34302
34303@item qTfP
34304@itemx qTsP
34305These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
34306the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
34307of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
34308to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
34309that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
34310
34311@item qTfV
34312@itemx qTsV
34313These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
34314target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
34315and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
34316these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
34317trace state variables.
34318
34319@item qTfSTM
34320@itemx qTsSTM
34321These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
34322in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
34323first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
34324pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
34325
34326Reply:
34327@table @samp
34328@item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
34329A single marker
34330@item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
34331a comma-separated list of markers
34332@item l
34333(lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34334@item E @var{nn}
34335An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34336@item
34337An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
34338stub.
34339@end table
34340
34341@var{address} is encoded in hex.
34342@var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
34343
34344In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34345more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
34346reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
34347query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
34348@dfn{last}).
34349
34350@item qTSTMat:@var{address}
34351This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
34352target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
34353syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
34354tracepoint markers.
34355
34356@item QTSave:@var{filename}
34357This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
34358@var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
34359as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
34360absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
34361
34362@item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
34363Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
34364starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
34365a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
34366The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
34367in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
34368A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
34369available.
34370
34371@item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
34372This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
34373@var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
34374
34375@end table
34376
34377@subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
34378When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
34379relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
34380different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
34381enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
34382return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
34383PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
34384of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
34385it had executed in the original location.
34386
34387In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
34388respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
34389packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
34390this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
34391documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
34392descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
34393format of the request is:
34394
34395@table @samp
34396@item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
34397
34398This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
34399to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
34400instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
34401@var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
34402memory starting at @var{to}.
34403@end table
34404
34405Replies:
34406@table @samp
34407@item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
34408Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
34409the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
34410@item E @var{NN}
34411A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
34412relocating the instruction.
34413@end table
34414
34415@node Host I/O Packets
34416@section Host I/O Packets
34417@cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
34418@cindex file transfer, remote protocol
34419
34420The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
34421operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
34422used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
34423filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
34424layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
34425Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
34426protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
34427Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
34428target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
34429Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
34430
34431The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
34432its arguments. They have this format:
34433
34434@table @samp
34435
34436@item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
34437@var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
34438should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
34439for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
34440the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
34441numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
34442used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
34443hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
34444buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34445
34446@end table
34447
34448The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
34449
34450@table @samp
34451
34452@item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
34453@var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
34454non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
34455@var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
34456value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
34457operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
34458binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
34459normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
34460documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
34461@var{attachment}.
34462
34463@item
34464An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
34465
34466@end table
34467
34468These are the supported Host I/O operations:
34469
34470@table @samp
34471@item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
34472Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
34473return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
34474@var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
34475(@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
34476of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
34477@xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
34478
34479@item vFile:close: @var{fd}
34480Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
34481-1 if an error occurs.
34482
34483@item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
34484Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
34485@var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
34486relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
34487common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
34488condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
34489returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
34490@var{count} was zero.
34491
34492The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
34493If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
34494attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
34495number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
34496some characters were escaped.
34497
34498@item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
34499Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
34500to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
34501file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
34502separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
34503packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
34504which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
34505error occurred.
34506
34507@item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
34508Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
34509or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
34510
34511@end table
34512
34513@node Interrupts
34514@section Interrupts
34515@cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
34516
34517When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
34518attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
34519a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
34520control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
34521
34522The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
34523mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
34524currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
34525interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
34526@code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
34527
34528@samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
34529transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
34530@code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
34531the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
34532transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
34533and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
34534(@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
34535@code{0x03} as part of its packet.
34536
34537@code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
34538When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
34539it stops execution and connects to gdb.
34540
34541Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
34542precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
34543implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34544threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34545currently-executing threads and processes.
34546If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34547running program, it should send one of the stop
34548reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34549of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34550for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34551Interrupts received while the
34552program is stopped are discarded.
34553
34554@node Notification Packets
34555@section Notification Packets
34556@cindex notification packets
34557@cindex packets, notification
34558
34559The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34560packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34561may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34562present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34563without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34564are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34565is not a problem.
34566
34567A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34568@var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34569and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34570as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34571never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34572receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34573to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34574
34575Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34576colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34577
34578Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34579notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34580timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34581not they understand it.
34582
34583Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34584protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34585future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34586new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34587recipients.
34588
34589(Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34590the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34591transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34592are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34593assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34594
34595The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34596defined:
34597
34598@table @samp
34599@item Stop: @var{reply}
34600Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34601The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34602described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34603for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34604@value{GDBN}.
34605@end table
34606
34607@node Remote Non-Stop
34608@section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34609
34610@value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34611multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34612supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34613@samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34614
34615@value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34616establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34617does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34618must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34619all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34620probe the target state after a mode change.
34621
34622In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34623would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34624asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34625inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34626in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34627mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34628when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34629of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34630affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34631to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34632threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34633
34634Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34635additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34636previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34637synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34638@value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34639the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34640if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34641ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34642finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34643sending any queued stop events.
34644
34645Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34646notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34647@value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34648@value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34649@samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34650Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34651the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34652
34653After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34654acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34655as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34656is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34657send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34658process normally.
34659
34660Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
34661stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
34662normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
34663@samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
34664permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
34665should process normally.
34666
34667If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
34668additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
34669response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
34670send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
34671notification, and the process shall be repeated.
34672
34673In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
34674follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
34675sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
34676sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
34677it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
34678stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
34679subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
34680using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
34681asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
34682If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
34683or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
34684@samp{OK}.
34685
34686@node Packet Acknowledgment
34687@section Packet Acknowledgment
34688
34689@cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34690@cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34691By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
34692the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34693the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
34694This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
34695unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
34696
34697In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
34698TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
34699It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
34700overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
34701@samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
34702
34703When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
34704expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
34705and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
34706@ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
34707
34708If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
34709no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
34710by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
34711@pxref{qSupported}.
34712If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
34713disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
34714(@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
34715@value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
34716Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
34717@value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
34718response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
34719
34720Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
34721between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
34722it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
34723connection.
34724Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
34725new connection is established,
34726there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
34727for the current connection, once disabled.
34728
34729@node Examples
34730@section Examples
34731
34732Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
34733does not get any direct output:
34734
34735@smallexample
34736-> @code{R00}
34737<- @code{+}
34738@emph{target restarts}
34739-> @code{?}
34740<- @code{+}
34741<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34742-> @code{+}
34743@end smallexample
34744
34745Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
34746
34747@smallexample
34748-> @code{G1445@dots{}}
34749<- @code{+}
34750-> @code{s}
34751<- @code{+}
34752@emph{time passes}
34753<- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34754-> @code{+}
34755-> @code{g}
34756<- @code{+}
34757<- @code{1455@dots{}}
34758-> @code{+}
34759@end smallexample
34760
34761@node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34762@section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34763@cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
34764
34765@menu
34766* File-I/O Overview::
34767* Protocol Basics::
34768* The F Request Packet::
34769* The F Reply Packet::
34770* The Ctrl-C Message::
34771* Console I/O::
34772* List of Supported Calls::
34773* Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
34774* Constants::
34775* File-I/O Examples::
34776@end menu
34777
34778@node File-I/O Overview
34779@subsection File-I/O Overview
34780@cindex file-i/o overview
34781
34782The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
34783target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
34784system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
34785remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
34786actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
34787This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
34788
34789The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
34790It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
34791@value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
34792translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
34793protocol representations when data is transmitted.
34794
34795The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
34796@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34797or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
34798the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
34799memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
34800the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
34801(@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
34802
34803The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
34804the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
34805after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
34806previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
34807request from @value{GDBN} is required.
34808
34809@smallexample
34810(@value{GDBP}) continue
34811 <- target requests 'system call X'
34812 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
34813 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
34814 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
34815 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
34816@end smallexample
34817
34818The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
34819the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
34820named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
34821system are not supported by this protocol.
34822
34823File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
34824
34825@node Protocol Basics
34826@subsection Protocol Basics
34827@cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
34828
34829The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
34830as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
34831@value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
34832the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
34833of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
34834This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
34835to call the appropriate host system call:
34836
34837@itemize @bullet
34838@item
34839A unique identifier for the requested system call.
34840
34841@item
34842All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
34843in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
34844pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
34845Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
34846
34847@end itemize
34848
34849At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
34850
34851@itemize @bullet
34852@item
34853If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
34854system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
34855standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
34856expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
34857packet.
34858
34859@item
34860@value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
34861representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
34862
34863@item
34864@value{GDBN} calls the system call.
34865
34866@item
34867It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
34868
34869@item
34870If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
34871by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
34872target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
34873by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
34874packet.
34875
34876@end itemize
34877
34878Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
34879necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
34880
34881@itemize @bullet
34882@item
34883Return value.
34884
34885@item
34886@code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
34887
34888@item
34889``Ctrl-C'' flag.
34890
34891@end itemize
34892
34893After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
34894the latest continue or step action.
34895
34896@node The F Request Packet
34897@subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
34898@cindex file-i/o request packet
34899@cindex @code{F} request packet
34900
34901The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
34902
34903@table @samp
34904@item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
34905
34906@var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
34907This is just the name of the function.
34908
34909@var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
34910Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
34911of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
34912datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
34913of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
34914comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
34915string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
34916
34917@end table
34918
34919
34920
34921@node The F Reply Packet
34922@subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
34923@cindex file-i/o reply packet
34924@cindex @code{F} reply packet
34925
34926The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
34927
34928@table @samp
34929
34930@item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
34931
34932@var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
34933
34934@var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
34935representation.
34936This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
34937
34938@var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
34939case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
34940The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
34941
34942@smallexample
34943F0,0,C
34944@end smallexample
34945
34946@noindent
34947or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
34948
34949@smallexample
34950F-1,4,C
34951@end smallexample
34952
34953@noindent
34954assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
34955
34956@end table
34957
34958
34959@node The Ctrl-C Message
34960@subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
34961@cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
34962
34963If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
34964reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
34965the target should behave as if it had
34966gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
34967interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
34968(as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
34969packet.
34970
34971It's important for the target to know in which
34972state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
34973
34974@itemize @bullet
34975@item
34976The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
34977
34978@item
34979The system call on the host has been finished.
34980
34981@end itemize
34982
34983These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
34984returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
34985call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
34986on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
34987system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
34988as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
34989
34990@value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
34991yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
34992@code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
34993before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
34994@value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
34995The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
34996or the full action has been completed.
34997
34998@node Console I/O
34999@subsection Console I/O
35000@cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
35001
35002By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
35003descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
35004on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
35005(@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
35006by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
350070 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
35008conditions is met:
35009
35010@itemize @bullet
35011@item
35012The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
35013@code{read}
35014system call is treated as finished.
35015
35016@item
35017The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
35018newline.
35019
35020@item
35021The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
35022character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
35023
35024@end itemize
35025
35026If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
35027the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
35028either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
35029is stopped at the user's request.
35030
35031
35032@node List of Supported Calls
35033@subsection List of Supported Calls
35034@cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
35035
35036@menu
35037* open::
35038* close::
35039* read::
35040* write::
35041* lseek::
35042* rename::
35043* unlink::
35044* stat/fstat::
35045* gettimeofday::
35046* isatty::
35047* system::
35048@end menu
35049
35050@node open
35051@unnumberedsubsubsec open
35052@cindex open, file-i/o system call
35053
35054@table @asis
35055@item Synopsis:
35056@smallexample
35057int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
35058int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
35059@end smallexample
35060
35061@item Request:
35062@samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
35063
35064@noindent
35065@var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35066
35067@table @code
35068@item O_CREAT
35069If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
35070rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
35071are concerned.
35072
35073@item O_EXCL
35074When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
35075an error and open() fails.
35076
35077@item O_TRUNC
35078If the file already exists and the open mode allows
35079writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
35080truncated to zero length.
35081
35082@item O_APPEND
35083The file is opened in append mode.
35084
35085@item O_RDONLY
35086The file is opened for reading only.
35087
35088@item O_WRONLY
35089The file is opened for writing only.
35090
35091@item O_RDWR
35092The file is opened for reading and writing.
35093@end table
35094
35095@noindent
35096Other bits are silently ignored.
35097
35098
35099@noindent
35100@var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35101
35102@table @code
35103@item S_IRUSR
35104User has read permission.
35105
35106@item S_IWUSR
35107User has write permission.
35108
35109@item S_IRGRP
35110Group has read permission.
35111
35112@item S_IWGRP
35113Group has write permission.
35114
35115@item S_IROTH
35116Others have read permission.
35117
35118@item S_IWOTH
35119Others have write permission.
35120@end table
35121
35122@noindent
35123Other bits are silently ignored.
35124
35125
35126@item Return value:
35127@code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
35128occurred.
35129
35130@item Errors:
35131
35132@table @code
35133@item EEXIST
35134@var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
35135
35136@item EISDIR
35137@var{pathname} refers to a directory.
35138
35139@item EACCES
35140The requested access is not allowed.
35141
35142@item ENAMETOOLONG
35143@var{pathname} was too long.
35144
35145@item ENOENT
35146A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35147
35148@item ENODEV
35149@var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
35150
35151@item EROFS
35152@var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
35153write access was requested.
35154
35155@item EFAULT
35156@var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
35157
35158@item ENOSPC
35159No space on device to create the file.
35160
35161@item EMFILE
35162The process already has the maximum number of files open.
35163
35164@item ENFILE
35165The limit on the total number of files open on the system
35166has been reached.
35167
35168@item EINTR
35169The call was interrupted by the user.
35170@end table
35171
35172@end table
35173
35174@node close
35175@unnumberedsubsubsec close
35176@cindex close, file-i/o system call
35177
35178@table @asis
35179@item Synopsis:
35180@smallexample
35181int close(int fd);
35182@end smallexample
35183
35184@item Request:
35185@samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
35186
35187@item Return value:
35188@code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
35189
35190@item Errors:
35191
35192@table @code
35193@item EBADF
35194@var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
35195
35196@item EINTR
35197The call was interrupted by the user.
35198@end table
35199
35200@end table
35201
35202@node read
35203@unnumberedsubsubsec read
35204@cindex read, file-i/o system call
35205
35206@table @asis
35207@item Synopsis:
35208@smallexample
35209int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
35210@end smallexample
35211
35212@item Request:
35213@samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35214
35215@item Return value:
35216On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
35217Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
35218returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
35219
35220@item Errors:
35221
35222@table @code
35223@item EBADF
35224@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35225reading.
35226
35227@item EFAULT
35228@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35229
35230@item EINTR
35231The call was interrupted by the user.
35232@end table
35233
35234@end table
35235
35236@node write
35237@unnumberedsubsubsec write
35238@cindex write, file-i/o system call
35239
35240@table @asis
35241@item Synopsis:
35242@smallexample
35243int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
35244@end smallexample
35245
35246@item Request:
35247@samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35248
35249@item Return value:
35250On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
35251Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
35252is returned.
35253
35254@item Errors:
35255
35256@table @code
35257@item EBADF
35258@var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35259writing.
35260
35261@item EFAULT
35262@var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35263
35264@item EFBIG
35265An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
35266host-specific maximum file size allowed.
35267
35268@item ENOSPC
35269No space on device to write the data.
35270
35271@item EINTR
35272The call was interrupted by the user.
35273@end table
35274
35275@end table
35276
35277@node lseek
35278@unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
35279@cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
35280
35281@table @asis
35282@item Synopsis:
35283@smallexample
35284long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
35285@end smallexample
35286
35287@item Request:
35288@samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
35289
35290@var{flag} is one of:
35291
35292@table @code
35293@item SEEK_SET
35294The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
35295
35296@item SEEK_CUR
35297The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
35298bytes.
35299
35300@item SEEK_END
35301The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
35302bytes.
35303@end table
35304
35305@item Return value:
35306On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
35307the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
35308value of -1 is returned.
35309
35310@item Errors:
35311
35312@table @code
35313@item EBADF
35314@var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
35315
35316@item ESPIPE
35317@var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
35318
35319@item EINVAL
35320@var{flag} is not a proper value.
35321
35322@item EINTR
35323The call was interrupted by the user.
35324@end table
35325
35326@end table
35327
35328@node rename
35329@unnumberedsubsubsec rename
35330@cindex rename, file-i/o system call
35331
35332@table @asis
35333@item Synopsis:
35334@smallexample
35335int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
35336@end smallexample
35337
35338@item Request:
35339@samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
35340
35341@item Return value:
35342On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35343
35344@item Errors:
35345
35346@table @code
35347@item EISDIR
35348@var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
35349directory.
35350
35351@item EEXIST
35352@var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
35353
35354@item EBUSY
35355@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
35356process.
35357
35358@item EINVAL
35359An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
35360of itself.
35361
35362@item ENOTDIR
35363A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
35364path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
35365and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
35366
35367@item EFAULT
35368@var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
35369
35370@item EACCES
35371No access to the file or the path of the file.
35372
35373@item ENAMETOOLONG
35374
35375@var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
35376
35377@item ENOENT
35378A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
35379
35380@item EROFS
35381The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35382
35383@item ENOSPC
35384The device containing the file has no room for the new
35385directory entry.
35386
35387@item EINTR
35388The call was interrupted by the user.
35389@end table
35390
35391@end table
35392
35393@node unlink
35394@unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
35395@cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
35396
35397@table @asis
35398@item Synopsis:
35399@smallexample
35400int unlink(const char *pathname);
35401@end smallexample
35402
35403@item Request:
35404@samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
35405
35406@item Return value:
35407On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35408
35409@item Errors:
35410
35411@table @code
35412@item EACCES
35413No access to the file or the path of the file.
35414
35415@item EPERM
35416The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
35417
35418@item EBUSY
35419The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
35420being used by another process.
35421
35422@item EFAULT
35423@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35424
35425@item ENAMETOOLONG
35426@var{pathname} was too long.
35427
35428@item ENOENT
35429A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35430
35431@item ENOTDIR
35432A component of the path is not a directory.
35433
35434@item EROFS
35435The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35436
35437@item EINTR
35438The call was interrupted by the user.
35439@end table
35440
35441@end table
35442
35443@node stat/fstat
35444@unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
35445@cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
35446@cindex stat, file-i/o system call
35447
35448@table @asis
35449@item Synopsis:
35450@smallexample
35451int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
35452int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
35453@end smallexample
35454
35455@item Request:
35456@samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
35457@samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
35458
35459@item Return value:
35460On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35461
35462@item Errors:
35463
35464@table @code
35465@item EBADF
35466@var{fd} is not a valid open file.
35467
35468@item ENOENT
35469A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
35470path is an empty string.
35471
35472@item ENOTDIR
35473A component of the path is not a directory.
35474
35475@item EFAULT
35476@var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35477
35478@item EACCES
35479No access to the file or the path of the file.
35480
35481@item ENAMETOOLONG
35482@var{pathname} was too long.
35483
35484@item EINTR
35485The call was interrupted by the user.
35486@end table
35487
35488@end table
35489
35490@node gettimeofday
35491@unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
35492@cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
35493
35494@table @asis
35495@item Synopsis:
35496@smallexample
35497int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
35498@end smallexample
35499
35500@item Request:
35501@samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
35502
35503@item Return value:
35504On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
35505
35506@item Errors:
35507
35508@table @code
35509@item EINVAL
35510@var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
35511
35512@item EFAULT
35513@var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35514@end table
35515
35516@end table
35517
35518@node isatty
35519@unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
35520@cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
35521
35522@table @asis
35523@item Synopsis:
35524@smallexample
35525int isatty(int fd);
35526@end smallexample
35527
35528@item Request:
35529@samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
35530
35531@item Return value:
35532Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
35533
35534@item Errors:
35535
35536@table @code
35537@item EINTR
35538The call was interrupted by the user.
35539@end table
35540
35541@end table
35542
35543Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
355441 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35545to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35546would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35547needed.
35548
35549
35550@node system
35551@unnumberedsubsubsec system
35552@cindex system, file-i/o system call
35553
35554@table @asis
35555@item Synopsis:
35556@smallexample
35557int system(const char *command);
35558@end smallexample
35559
35560@item Request:
35561@samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35562
35563@item Return value:
35564If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35565available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35566For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35567return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35568command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35569return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35570@file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35571
35572@item Errors:
35573
35574@table @code
35575@item EINTR
35576The call was interrupted by the user.
35577@end table
35578
35579@end table
35580
35581@value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35582to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35583the host is simplified before it's returned
35584to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35585is discarded, and the return value consists
35586entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35587
35588Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35589by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35590@code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35591
35592@table @code
35593@item set remote system-call-allowed
35594@kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35595Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35596protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35597
35598@item show remote system-call-allowed
35599@kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35600Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35601protocol.
35602@end table
35603
35604@node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35605@subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35606@cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35607
35608@menu
35609* Integral Datatypes::
35610* Pointer Values::
35611* Memory Transfer::
35612* struct stat::
35613* struct timeval::
35614@end menu
35615
35616@node Integral Datatypes
35617@unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35618@cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35619
35620The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35621@code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35622@code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35623
35624@code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35625implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35626
35627@code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35628
35629@xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35630in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35631
35632@code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35633
35634All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35635structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35636byte order.
35637
35638@node Pointer Values
35639@unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35640@cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35641
35642Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35643is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35644transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35645are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35646
35647@smallexample
35648@code{1aaf/12}
35649@end smallexample
35650
35651@noindent
35652which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35653The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35654the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35655at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35656
35657@smallexample
35658@code{123456/d}
35659@end smallexample
35660
35661@node Memory Transfer
35662@unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
35663@cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
35664
35665Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
35666example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
35667with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
35668this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
35669packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
35670it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
35671data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
35672
35673
35674@node struct stat
35675@unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
35676@cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
35677
35678The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
35679is defined as follows:
35680
35681@smallexample
35682struct stat @{
35683 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
35684 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
35685 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
35686 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
35687 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
35688 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
35689 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
35690 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
35691 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
35692 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
35693 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
35694 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
35695 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
35696@};
35697@end smallexample
35698
35699The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35700appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35701structure is of size 64 bytes.
35702
35703The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
35704range of values.
35705
35706@table @code
35707
35708@item st_dev
35709A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
35710
35711@item st_ino
35712No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35713
35714@item st_mode
35715Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
35716bits have currently no meaning for the target.
35717
35718@item st_uid
35719@itemx st_gid
35720@itemx st_rdev
35721No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35722
35723@item st_atime
35724@itemx st_mtime
35725@itemx st_ctime
35726These values have a host and file system dependent
35727accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
35728support exact timing values.
35729@end table
35730
35731The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
35732responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
35733continuing.
35734
35735Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
35736representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
35737get truncated on the target.
35738
35739@node struct timeval
35740@unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
35741@cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
35742
35743The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
35744is defined as follows:
35745
35746@smallexample
35747struct timeval @{
35748 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
35749 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
35750@};
35751@end smallexample
35752
35753The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35754appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35755structure is of size 8 bytes.
35756
35757@node Constants
35758@subsection Constants
35759@cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
35760
35761The following values are used for the constants inside of the
35762protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
35763values before and after the call as needed.
35764
35765@menu
35766* Open Flags::
35767* mode_t Values::
35768* Errno Values::
35769* Lseek Flags::
35770* Limits::
35771@end menu
35772
35773@node Open Flags
35774@unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
35775@cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
35776
35777All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
35778
35779@smallexample
35780 O_RDONLY 0x0
35781 O_WRONLY 0x1
35782 O_RDWR 0x2
35783 O_APPEND 0x8
35784 O_CREAT 0x200
35785 O_TRUNC 0x400
35786 O_EXCL 0x800
35787@end smallexample
35788
35789@node mode_t Values
35790@unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
35791@cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
35792
35793All values are given in octal representation.
35794
35795@smallexample
35796 S_IFREG 0100000
35797 S_IFDIR 040000
35798 S_IRUSR 0400
35799 S_IWUSR 0200
35800 S_IXUSR 0100
35801 S_IRGRP 040
35802 S_IWGRP 020
35803 S_IXGRP 010
35804 S_IROTH 04
35805 S_IWOTH 02
35806 S_IXOTH 01
35807@end smallexample
35808
35809@node Errno Values
35810@unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
35811@cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
35812
35813All values are given in decimal representation.
35814
35815@smallexample
35816 EPERM 1
35817 ENOENT 2
35818 EINTR 4
35819 EBADF 9
35820 EACCES 13
35821 EFAULT 14
35822 EBUSY 16
35823 EEXIST 17
35824 ENODEV 19
35825 ENOTDIR 20
35826 EISDIR 21
35827 EINVAL 22
35828 ENFILE 23
35829 EMFILE 24
35830 EFBIG 27
35831 ENOSPC 28
35832 ESPIPE 29
35833 EROFS 30
35834 ENAMETOOLONG 91
35835 EUNKNOWN 9999
35836@end smallexample
35837
35838 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
35839 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
35840
35841@node Lseek Flags
35842@unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
35843@cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
35844
35845@smallexample
35846 SEEK_SET 0
35847 SEEK_CUR 1
35848 SEEK_END 2
35849@end smallexample
35850
35851@node Limits
35852@unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
35853@cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
35854
35855All values are given in decimal representation.
35856
35857@smallexample
35858 INT_MIN -2147483648
35859 INT_MAX 2147483647
35860 UINT_MAX 4294967295
35861 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
35862 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
35863 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
35864@end smallexample
35865
35866@node File-I/O Examples
35867@subsection File-I/O Examples
35868@cindex file-i/o examples
35869
35870Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35871address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
35872
35873@smallexample
35874<- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
35875@emph{request memory read from target}
35876-> @code{m1234,6}
35877<- XXXXXX
35878@emph{return "6 bytes written"}
35879-> @code{F6}
35880@end smallexample
35881
35882Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35883address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
35884
35885@smallexample
35886<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35887@emph{request memory write to target}
35888-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35889@emph{return "6 bytes read"}
35890-> @code{F6}
35891@end smallexample
35892
35893Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
35894file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
35895
35896@smallexample
35897<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35898-> @code{F-1,9}
35899@end smallexample
35900
35901Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
35902host is called:
35903
35904@smallexample
35905<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35906-> @code{F-1,4,C}
35907<- @code{T02}
35908@end smallexample
35909
35910Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
35911host is called:
35912
35913@smallexample
35914<- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35915-> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35916<- @code{T02}
35917@end smallexample
35918
35919@node Library List Format
35920@section Library List Format
35921@cindex library list format, remote protocol
35922
35923On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
35924same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
35925@value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
35926operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
35927platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
35928@value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
35929through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35930packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
35931queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
35932are loaded.
35933
35934The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
35935lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
35936associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
35937which report where the library was loaded in memory.
35938
35939For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
35940library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
35941dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
35942should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
35943section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
35944depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
35945
35946@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35947library lists. @xref{Expat}.
35948
35949A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
35950offset, looks like this:
35951
35952@smallexample
35953<library-list>
35954 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
35955 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
35956 </library>
35957</library-list>
35958@end smallexample
35959
35960Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
35961allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
35962
35963@smallexample
35964<library-list>
35965 <library name="sharedlib.o">
35966 <section address="0x10000000"/>
35967 <section address="0x20000000"/>
35968 <section address="0x30000000"/>
35969 </library>
35970</library-list>
35971@end smallexample
35972
35973The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
35974
35975@smallexample
35976<!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
35977<!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
35978<!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
35979<!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
35980<!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35981<!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
35982<!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35983<!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
35984<!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35985@end smallexample
35986
35987In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
35988single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
35989section for each library.
35990
35991@node Memory Map Format
35992@section Memory Map Format
35993@cindex memory map format
35994
35995To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
35996memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
35997memory map.
35998
35999The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36000(@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
36001lists memory regions.
36002
36003@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36004memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
36005
36006The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36007
36008@smallexample
36009<?xml version="1.0"?>
36010<!DOCTYPE memory-map
36011 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36012 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
36013<memory-map>
36014 region...
36015</memory-map>
36016@end smallexample
36017
36018Each region can be either:
36019
36020@itemize
36021
36022@item
36023A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
36024bytes from there:
36025
36026@smallexample
36027<memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36028@end smallexample
36029
36030
36031@item
36032A region of read-only memory:
36033
36034@smallexample
36035<memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36036@end smallexample
36037
36038
36039@item
36040A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
36041bytes in length:
36042
36043@smallexample
36044<memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
36045 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
36046</memory>
36047@end smallexample
36048
36049@end itemize
36050
36051Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
36052by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
36053packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
36054
36055The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
36056
36057@smallexample
36058<!-- ................................................... -->
36059<!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
36060<!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
36061<!-- .................................... .............. -->
36062<!-- memory-map.dtd -->
36063<!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
36064<!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
36065<!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
36066<!ELEMENT memory (property)>
36067<!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
36068 and its type, or device. -->
36069<!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
36070 start CDATA #REQUIRED
36071 length CDATA #REQUIRED
36072 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
36073<!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
36074<!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
36075<!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36076@end smallexample
36077
36078@node Thread List Format
36079@section Thread List Format
36080@cindex thread list format
36081
36082To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
36083@value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36084(@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
36085the following structure:
36086
36087@smallexample
36088<?xml version="1.0"?>
36089<threads>
36090 <thread id="id" core="0">
36091 ... description ...
36092 </thread>
36093</threads>
36094@end smallexample
36095
36096Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
36097identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
36098@samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
36099the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
36100element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
36101
36102@node Traceframe Info Format
36103@section Traceframe Info Format
36104@cindex traceframe info format
36105
36106To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
36107inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
36108memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
36109collected in a traceframe.
36110
36111This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36112(@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
36113
36114@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36115traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
36116
36117The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36118
36119@smallexample
36120<?xml version="1.0"?>
36121<!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
36122 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36123 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
36124<traceframe-info>
36125 block...
36126</traceframe-info>
36127@end smallexample
36128
36129Each traceframe block can be either:
36130
36131@itemize
36132
36133@item
36134A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
36135@var{length} bytes from there:
36136
36137@smallexample
36138<memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36139@end smallexample
36140
36141@end itemize
36142
36143The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
36144
36145@smallexample
36146<!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
36147<!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36148
36149<!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
36150<!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
36151 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
36152@end smallexample
36153
36154@include agentexpr.texi
36155
36156@node Trace File Format
36157@appendix Trace File Format
36158@cindex trace file format
36159
36160The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
36161section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
36162
36163The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
36164@code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
36165while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
36166in the future.
36167
36168The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
36169separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
36170variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
36171as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
36172ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
36173of this section.
36174
36175@c FIXME add some specific types of data
36176
36177The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
36178Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
36179four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
36180the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
36181character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
36182state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
36183hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
36184endianness.
36185
36186@c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
36187
36188@table @code
36189@item R @var{bytes}
36190Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
36191@code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
36192actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
36193hexadecimal encoding.
36194
36195@item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
36196Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
36197address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
36198@var{length} bytes.
36199
36200@item V @var{number} @var{value}
36201Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
36202@var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
36203
36204@end table
36205
36206Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
36207of blocks.
36208
36209@node Target Descriptions
36210@appendix Target Descriptions
36211@cindex target descriptions
36212
36213@strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
36214and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
36215The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
36216
36217One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
36218is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
36219architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
36220a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
36221and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
36222architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
36223vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
36224
36225@itemize @bullet
36226@item
36227With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
36228the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
36229@item
36230Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
36231audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
36232variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
36233@item
36234When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
36235at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
36236@command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
36237@end itemize
36238
36239To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
36240target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
36241actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
36242processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
36243descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
36244
36245@value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36246target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
36247
36248@menu
36249* Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
36250* Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
36251* Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
36252 descriptions.
36253* Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
36254@end menu
36255
36256@node Retrieving Descriptions
36257@section Retrieving Descriptions
36258
36259Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
36260specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
36261description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
36262protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
36263qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
36264@samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
36265XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
36266Format}.
36267
36268Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
36269If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
36270specify a file are:
36271
36272@table @code
36273@cindex set tdesc filename
36274@item set tdesc filename @var{path}
36275Read the target description from @var{path}.
36276
36277@cindex unset tdesc filename
36278@item unset tdesc filename
36279Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
36280will use the description supplied by the current target.
36281
36282@cindex show tdesc filename
36283@item show tdesc filename
36284Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
36285@end table
36286
36287
36288@node Target Description Format
36289@section Target Description Format
36290@cindex target descriptions, XML format
36291
36292A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
36293document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
36294the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
36295means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
36296check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
36297However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
36298their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
36299
36300Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
36301and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
36302sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
36303@value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
36304target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
36305
36306Here is a simple target description:
36307
36308@smallexample
36309<target version="1.0">
36310 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
36311</target>
36312@end smallexample
36313
36314@noindent
36315This minimal description only says that the target uses
36316the x86-64 architecture.
36317
36318A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
36319optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
36320are explained further below.
36321
36322@smallexample
36323<?xml version="1.0"?>
36324<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
36325<target version="1.0">
36326 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
36327 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
36328 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
36329 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
36330</target>
36331@end smallexample
36332
36333@noindent
36334The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
36335breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
36336declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
36337(@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
36338useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
36339@samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
36340including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
36341revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
36342the version mismatch.
36343
36344@subsection Inclusion
36345@cindex target descriptions, inclusion
36346@cindex XInclude
36347@ifnotinfo
36348@cindex <xi:include>
36349@end ifnotinfo
36350
36351It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
36352several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
36353share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
36354divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
36355the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
36356
36357@smallexample
36358<xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
36359@end smallexample
36360
36361@noindent
36362When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
36363the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
36364the contents of that document. If the current description was read
36365using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
36366@var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
36367current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
36368@var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
36369original description.
36370
36371@subsection Architecture
36372@cindex <architecture>
36373
36374An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
36375
36376@smallexample
36377 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
36378@end smallexample
36379
36380@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36381@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36382
36383@subsection OS ABI
36384@cindex @code{<osabi>}
36385
36386This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36387Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36388
36389An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
36390
36391@smallexample
36392 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
36393@end smallexample
36394
36395@var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
36396@w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
36397
36398@subsection Compatible Architecture
36399@cindex @code{<compatible>}
36400
36401This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36402Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36403
36404A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
36405
36406@smallexample
36407 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
36408@end smallexample
36409
36410@var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36411@code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36412
36413A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
36414is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
36415given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
36416Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
36417or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
36418in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
36419capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
36420
36421@smallexample
36422 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
36423 <compatible>spu</compatible>
36424@end smallexample
36425
36426@subsection Features
36427@cindex <feature>
36428
36429Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
36430system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
36431registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
36432has this form:
36433
36434@smallexample
36435<feature name="@var{name}">
36436 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
36437 @var{reg}@dots{}
36438</feature>
36439@end smallexample
36440
36441@noindent
36442Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
36443of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
36444knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
36445should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
36446
36447@subsection Types
36448
36449Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
36450interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
36451but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
36452Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
36453Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
36454
36455Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
36456a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
36457Types must be defined before they are used.
36458
36459@cindex <vector>
36460Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
36461of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
36462specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
36463@var{count}:
36464
36465@smallexample
36466<vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
36467@end smallexample
36468
36469@cindex <union>
36470If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
36471with a union type containing the useful representations. The
36472@samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
36473each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
36474
36475@smallexample
36476<union id="@var{id}">
36477 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36478 @dots{}
36479</union>
36480@end smallexample
36481
36482@cindex <struct>
36483If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
36484it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
36485element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
36486or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
36487its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
36488explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
36489integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
36490equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
36491
36492@smallexample
36493<struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36494 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36495 @dots{}
36496</struct>
36497@end smallexample
36498
36499If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
36500explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
36501
36502@smallexample
36503<struct id="@var{id}">
36504 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36505 @dots{}
36506</struct>
36507@end smallexample
36508
36509@cindex <flags>
36510If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
36511a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
36512and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
36513@var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
36514are supported.
36515
36516@smallexample
36517<flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36518 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36519 @dots{}
36520</flags>
36521@end smallexample
36522
36523@subsection Registers
36524@cindex <reg>
36525
36526Each register is represented as an element with this form:
36527
36528@smallexample
36529<reg name="@var{name}"
36530 bitsize="@var{size}"
36531 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
36532 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
36533 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
36534 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
36535@end smallexample
36536
36537@noindent
36538The components are as follows:
36539
36540@table @var
36541
36542@item name
36543The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
36544
36545@item bitsize
36546The register's size, in bits.
36547
36548@item regnum
36549The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
36550than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
36551a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
36552defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
36553the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
36554packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
36555in order of increasing register number.
36556
36557@item save-restore
36558Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
36559calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
36560@code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
36561some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
36562ABI.
36563
36564@item type
36565The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
36566defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
36567and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
36568for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
36569architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
36570@var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
36571
36572@item group
36573The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
36574be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
36575@var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
36576in @code{info registers}.
36577
36578@end table
36579
36580@node Predefined Target Types
36581@section Predefined Target Types
36582@cindex target descriptions, predefined types
36583
36584Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
36585from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
36586standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
36587types. The currently supported types are:
36588
36589@table @code
36590
36591@item int8
36592@itemx int16
36593@itemx int32
36594@itemx int64
36595@itemx int128
36596Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36597
36598@item uint8
36599@itemx uint16
36600@itemx uint32
36601@itemx uint64
36602@itemx uint128
36603Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36604
36605@item code_ptr
36606@itemx data_ptr
36607Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36608any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36609pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36610address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36611may be marked as data pointers.
36612
36613@item ieee_single
36614Single precision IEEE floating point.
36615
36616@item ieee_double
36617Double precision IEEE floating point.
36618
36619@item arm_fpa_ext
36620The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36621
36622@item i387_ext
36623The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36624
36625@item i386_eflags
3662632bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36627
36628@item i386_mxcsr
3662932bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36630
36631@end table
36632
36633@node Standard Target Features
36634@section Standard Target Features
36635@cindex target descriptions, standard features
36636
36637A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36638target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36639@value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36640the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36641default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36642described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36643can recognize them.
36644
36645This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36646which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36647with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36648if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36649feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36650description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36651standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36652they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36653
36654This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36655Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36656@value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36657
36658Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36659company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36660architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36661containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36662
36663The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36664of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36665registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36666
36667@menu
36668* ARM Features::
36669* i386 Features::
36670* MIPS Features::
36671* M68K Features::
36672* PowerPC Features::
36673@end menu
36674
36675
36676@node ARM Features
36677@subsection ARM Features
36678@cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36679
36680The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36681ARM targets.
36682It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36683@samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36684
36685For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36686feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36687registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36688and @samp{xpsr}.
36689
36690The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36691should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36692
36693The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36694it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36695@samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36696@samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36697
36698The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36699should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36700they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36701@value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36702halves of the double-precision registers.
36703
36704The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36705need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36706VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36707quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36708If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36709be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36710
36711@node i386 Features
36712@subsection i386 Features
36713@cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36714
36715The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36716targets. It should describe the following registers:
36717
36718@itemize @minus
36719@item
36720@samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
36721@item
36722@samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
36723@item
36724@samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
36725@samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
36726@item
36727@samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
36728@item
36729@samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
36730@samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
36731@end itemize
36732
36733The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
36734
36735The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
36736describe registers:
36737
36738@itemize @minus
36739@item
36740@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
36741@item
36742@samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
36743@item
36744@samp{mxcsr}
36745@end itemize
36746
36747The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
36748@samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
36749describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
36750
36751@itemize @minus
36752@item
36753@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
36754@item
36755@samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
36756@end itemize
36757
36758The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
36759describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
36760
36761@node MIPS Features
36762@subsection MIPS Features
36763@cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
36764
36765The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
36766It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
36767@samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
36768on the target.
36769
36770The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
36771contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
36772registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36773
36774The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
36775it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
36776contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
36777@samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36778
36779The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
36780contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
36781Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
36782
36783@node M68K Features
36784@subsection M68K Features
36785@cindex target descriptions, M68K features
36786
36787@table @code
36788@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
36789@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
36790@itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
36791One of those features must be always present.
36792The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
36793used. The feature that is present should contain registers
36794@samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
36795@samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
36796
36797@item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
36798This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
36799@samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
36800@samp{fpiaddr}.
36801@end table
36802
36803@node PowerPC Features
36804@subsection PowerPC Features
36805@cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
36806
36807The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
36808targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
36809@samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
36810@samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36811
36812The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
36813contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
36814
36815The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
36816contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
36817and @samp{vrsave}.
36818
36819The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
36820contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
36821will combine these registers with the floating point registers
36822(@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
36823through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
36824through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
36825
36826The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
36827contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
36828@samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
36829@samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
36830@samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
36831these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
36832user.
36833
36834@node Operating System Information
36835@appendix Operating System Information
36836@cindex operating system information
36837
36838@menu
36839* Process list::
36840@end menu
36841
36842Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
36843the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
36844processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
36845mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
36846target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
36847on a different aspect of target.
36848
36849Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
36850remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
36851read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
36852the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
36853
36854@node Process list
36855@appendixsection Process list
36856@cindex operating system information, process list
36857
36858When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
36859@samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
36860an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
36861@file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
36862
36863An example document is:
36864
36865@smallexample
36866<?xml version="1.0"?>
36867<!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
36868<osdata type="processes">
36869 <item>
36870 <column name="pid">1</column>
36871 <column name="user">root</column>
36872 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
36873 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
36874 </item>
36875</osdata>
36876@end smallexample
36877
36878Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
36879of that column should identify the process on the target. The
36880@samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
36881displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
36882should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
36883is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
36884which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
36885
36886@include gpl.texi
36887
36888@node GNU Free Documentation License
36889@appendix GNU Free Documentation License
36890@include fdl.texi
36891
36892@node Index
36893@unnumbered Index
36894
36895@printindex cp
36896
36897@tex
36898% I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
36899% meantime:
36900\long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
36901\centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
36902\centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
36903\centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
36904\centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
36905\centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
36906\centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
36907\centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
36908\centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
36909\page\colophon
36910% Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
36911@end tex
36912
36913@bye
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