Implement TARGET_OBJECT_STACK_MEMORY.
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and 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
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This 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
72 Version @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
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software 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
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
178 how you can copy and share GDB
179 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
180 * Index:: Index
181 @end menu
182
183 @end ifnottex
184
185 @contents
186
187 @node Summary
188 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
189
190 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
191 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
192 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
193
194 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
195 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
196
197 @itemize @bullet
198 @item
199 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
200
201 @item
202 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
203
204 @item
205 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
206
207 @item
208 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
209 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
210 @end itemize
211
212 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
213 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
214 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
215
216 @cindex Modula-2
217 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
218 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
219
220 @cindex Pascal
221 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
222 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
223 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
224 syntax.
225
226 @cindex Fortran
227 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
228 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
229 underscore.
230
231 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
232 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
233
234 @menu
235 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
236 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
237 @end menu
238
239 @node Free Software
240 @unnumberedsec Free Software
241
242 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
243 General Public License
244 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
245 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
246 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
247 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
248 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
249 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
250
251 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
252 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
253 from anyone else.
254
255 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256
257 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
258 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
259 include with the free software. Many of our most important
260 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
261 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
262 when an important free software package does not come with a free
263 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
264 gaps today.
265
266 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
267 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
268 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
269 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
270 them from the free software world.
271
272 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
273 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
274 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
275 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
276 contract to make it non-free.
277
278 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
279 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
280 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
281 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
282 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
283 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
284 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
285
286 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
287 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
288 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
289 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
290
291 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
292 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
293 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
294 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
295 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
296 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
297 community.
298
299 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
300 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
301 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
302 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
303 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
304 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
305 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
306 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
307 of the manual.
308
309 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
310 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
311 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
312 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
313 manual to replace it.
314
315 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
316 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
317 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
318 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
319 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
320 the free software community.
321
322 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
323 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
324 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
325 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
326 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
327 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
328 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
329 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
330 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
331
332 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
333 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
334 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
335 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
336 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
337 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
338 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
339 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
340
341 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
342 published by other publishers, at
343 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
344
345 @node Contributors
346 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
347
348 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
349 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
350 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
351 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
352 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
353 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
354 blow-by-blow account.
355
356 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
357
358 @quotation
359 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
360 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
361 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
362 @end quotation
363
364 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
365 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
366 releases:
367 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
368 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
369 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
370 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
371 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
372 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
373 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
374 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
375 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
376
377 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
378 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
379
380 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
381 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
382 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
383 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
384 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
385
386 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
387 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
388 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
389
390 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
391 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
392
393 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
394
395 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
396 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
397 support.
398 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
399 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
400 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
401 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
402 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
403 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
404 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
405 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
406 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
407 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
408 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
409 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
410 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
411 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
412 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
413 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
414
415 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
416
417 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
418 libraries.
419
420 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
421 about several machine instruction sets.
422
423 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
424 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
425 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
426 and RDI targets, respectively.
427
428 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
429 command-line editing and command history.
430
431 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
432 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
433
434 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
435 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
436 symbols.
437
438 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
439 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
440
441 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
442
443 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
444 processors.
445
446 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
447
448 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
449
450 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
451
452 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
453 watchpoints.
454
455 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
456
457 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
458
459 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
460 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
461
462 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
463 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
464 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
465 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
466 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
467 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
468 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
469
470 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
471 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
472
473 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
474 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
475 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
476 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
477 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
478 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
479 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
480 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
481 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
482 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
483 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
484 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
485 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
486 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
487 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
488
489 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
490 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
491
492 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
493 Hat.
494
495 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
496 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
497 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
498 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
499 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
500 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
501
502 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
503 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
504 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
505 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
506 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
507 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
508 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
509 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
510 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
511 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
512 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
513 Weigand.
514
515 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
516 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
517 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
518 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
519
520 @node Sample Session
521 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
522
523 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
524 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
525 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
526
527 @iftex
528 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
529 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
530 @end iftex
531
532 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
533 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
534
535 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
536 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
537 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
538 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
539 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
540 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
541 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
542 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
543 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
544
545 @smallexample
546 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
547 $ @b{./m4}
548 @b{define(foo,0000)}
549
550 @b{foo}
551 0000
552 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
553
554 @b{bar}
555 0000
556 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
557
558 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
559 @b{baz}
560 @b{Ctrl-d}
561 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
562 @end smallexample
563
564 @noindent
565 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
566
567 @smallexample
568 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
569 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
570 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
571 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
572 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
573 the conditions.
574 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
575 for details.
576
577 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
578 (@value{GDBP})
579 @end smallexample
580
581 @noindent
582 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
583 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
584 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
585 that examples fit in this manual.
586
587 @smallexample
588 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
589 @end smallexample
590
591 @noindent
592 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
593 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
594 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
595 @code{break} command.
596
597 @smallexample
598 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
599 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
600 @end smallexample
601
602 @noindent
603 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
604 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
605 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
606
607 @smallexample
608 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
609 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
610 @b{define(foo,0000)}
611
612 @b{foo}
613 0000
614 @end smallexample
615
616 @noindent
617 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
618 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
619 context where it stops.
620
621 @smallexample
622 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
623
624 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
625 at builtin.c:879
626 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
627 @end smallexample
628
629 @noindent
630 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
631 the next line of the current function.
632
633 @smallexample
634 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
635 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
636 : nil,
637 @end smallexample
638
639 @noindent
640 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
641 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
642 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
643 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
644
645 @smallexample
646 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
647 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
648 at input.c:530
649 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
650 @end smallexample
651
652 @noindent
653 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
654 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
655 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
656 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
657 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
658 stack frame for each active subroutine.
659
660 @smallexample
661 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
662 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
663 at input.c:530
664 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
665 at builtin.c:882
666 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
667 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
668 at macro.c:71
669 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
670 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
671 @end smallexample
672
673 @noindent
674 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
675 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
676 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
677
678 @smallexample
679 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
680 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
681 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
682 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
683 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
685 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
686 : xstrdup(rq);
687 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
688 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
689 @end smallexample
690
691 @noindent
692 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
693 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
694 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
695 (@code{print}) to see their values.
696
697 @smallexample
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
699 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
700 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
701 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
702 @end smallexample
703
704 @noindent
705 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
706 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
707 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
708
709 @smallexample
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
711 533 xfree(rquote);
712 534
713 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
714 : xstrdup (lq);
715 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
716 : xstrdup (rq);
717 537
718 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
719 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
720 540 @}
721 541
722 542 void
723 @end smallexample
724
725 @noindent
726 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
727 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
728
729 @smallexample
730 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
731 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
733 540 @}
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
735 $3 = 9
736 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
737 $4 = 7
738 @end smallexample
739
740 @noindent
741 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
742 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
743 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
744 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
745 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
746 assignments.
747
748 @smallexample
749 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
750 $5 = 7
751 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
752 $6 = 9
753 @end smallexample
754
755 @noindent
756 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
757 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
758 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
759 example that caused trouble initially:
760
761 @smallexample
762 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
763 Continuing.
764
765 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
766
767 baz
768 0000
769 @end smallexample
770
771 @noindent
772 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
773 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
774 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
775
776 @smallexample
777 @b{Ctrl-d}
778 Program exited normally.
779 @end smallexample
780
781 @noindent
782 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
783 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
784 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
785
786 @smallexample
787 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
788 @end smallexample
789
790 @node Invocation
791 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
792
793 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
794 The essentials are:
795 @itemize @bullet
796 @item
797 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
798 @item
799 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
800 @end itemize
801
802 @menu
803 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
804 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
805 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
806 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
807 @end menu
808
809 @node Invoking GDB
810 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
811
812 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
813 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
814
815 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
816 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
817
818 The command-line options described here are designed
819 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
820 options may effectively be unavailable.
821
822 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
823 specifying an executable program:
824
825 @smallexample
826 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
827 @end smallexample
828
829 @noindent
830 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
831 specified:
832
833 @smallexample
834 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
835 @end smallexample
836
837 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
838 to debug a running process:
839
840 @smallexample
841 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
842 @end smallexample
843
844 @noindent
845 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
846 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
847
848 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
849 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
850 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
851 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
852 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
853
854 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
855 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
856 option processing.
857 @smallexample
858 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
859 @end smallexample
860 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
861 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
862
863 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
864 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
865
866 @smallexample
867 @value{GDBP} -silent
868 @end smallexample
869
870 @noindent
871 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
872 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
873
874 @noindent
875 Type
876
877 @smallexample
878 @value{GDBP} -help
879 @end smallexample
880
881 @noindent
882 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
883 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
884
885 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
886 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
887 @samp{-x} option is used.
888
889
890 @menu
891 * File Options:: Choosing files
892 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
893 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
894 @end menu
895
896 @node File Options
897 @subsection Choosing Files
898
899 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
900 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
901 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
902 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
903 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
904 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
905 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
906 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
907 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
908 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
909 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
910 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
911 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
912
913 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
914 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
915 argument and ignore it.
916
917 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
918 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
919 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
920 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
921 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
922
923 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
924 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
925 @c it.
926
927 @table @code
928 @item -symbols @var{file}
929 @itemx -s @var{file}
930 @cindex @code{--symbols}
931 @cindex @code{-s}
932 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
933
934 @item -exec @var{file}
935 @itemx -e @var{file}
936 @cindex @code{--exec}
937 @cindex @code{-e}
938 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
939 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
940
941 @item -se @var{file}
942 @cindex @code{--se}
943 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
944 file.
945
946 @item -core @var{file}
947 @itemx -c @var{file}
948 @cindex @code{--core}
949 @cindex @code{-c}
950 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
951
952 @item -pid @var{number}
953 @itemx -p @var{number}
954 @cindex @code{--pid}
955 @cindex @code{-p}
956 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
957
958 @item -command @var{file}
959 @itemx -x @var{file}
960 @cindex @code{--command}
961 @cindex @code{-x}
962 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
963 Files,, Command files}.
964
965 @item -eval-command @var{command}
966 @itemx -ex @var{command}
967 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
968 @cindex @code{-ex}
969 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
970
971 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
972 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
973
974 @smallexample
975 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
976 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
977 @end smallexample
978
979 @item -directory @var{directory}
980 @itemx -d @var{directory}
981 @cindex @code{--directory}
982 @cindex @code{-d}
983 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
984
985 @item -r
986 @itemx -readnow
987 @cindex @code{--readnow}
988 @cindex @code{-r}
989 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
990 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
991 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
992
993 @end table
994
995 @node Mode Options
996 @subsection Choosing Modes
997
998 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
999 batch mode or quiet mode.
1000
1001 @table @code
1002 @item -nx
1003 @itemx -n
1004 @cindex @code{--nx}
1005 @cindex @code{-n}
1006 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1007 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1008 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1009 Files}.
1010
1011 @item -quiet
1012 @itemx -silent
1013 @itemx -q
1014 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1015 @cindex @code{--silent}
1016 @cindex @code{-q}
1017 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1018 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1019
1020 @item -batch
1021 @cindex @code{--batch}
1022 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1023 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1024 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1025 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1026 in the command files.
1027
1028 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1029 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1030 make this more useful, the message
1031
1032 @smallexample
1033 Program exited normally.
1034 @end smallexample
1035
1036 @noindent
1037 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1038 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1039 mode.
1040
1041 @item -batch-silent
1042 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1043 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1044 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1045 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1046 for an interactive session.
1047
1048 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1049 messages, for example.
1050
1051 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1052 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1053
1054 @item -return-child-result
1055 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1056 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1057 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1058
1059 @itemize @bullet
1060 @item
1061 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1062 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1063 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1064 @item
1065 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1066 @item
1067 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1068 the exit code will be -1.
1069 @end itemize
1070
1071 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1072 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1073 interface.
1074
1075 @item -nowindows
1076 @itemx -nw
1077 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1078 @cindex @code{-nw}
1079 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1080 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1081 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1082
1083 @item -windows
1084 @itemx -w
1085 @cindex @code{--windows}
1086 @cindex @code{-w}
1087 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1088 used if possible.
1089
1090 @item -cd @var{directory}
1091 @cindex @code{--cd}
1092 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1093 instead of the current directory.
1094
1095 @item -fullname
1096 @itemx -f
1097 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1098 @cindex @code{-f}
1099 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1100 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1101 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1102 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1103 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1104 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1105 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1106 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1107 frame.
1108
1109 @item -epoch
1110 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1111 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1112 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1113 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1114 separate window.
1115
1116 @item -annotate @var{level}
1117 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1118 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1119 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1120 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1121 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1122 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1123 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1124 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1125 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1126
1127 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1128 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1129
1130 @item --args
1131 @cindex @code{--args}
1132 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1133 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1134 This option stops option processing.
1135
1136 @item -baud @var{bps}
1137 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1138 @cindex @code{--baud}
1139 @cindex @code{-b}
1140 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1141 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1142
1143 @item -l @var{timeout}
1144 @cindex @code{-l}
1145 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1146 for remote debugging.
1147
1148 @item -tty @var{device}
1149 @itemx -t @var{device}
1150 @cindex @code{--tty}
1151 @cindex @code{-t}
1152 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1153 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1154
1155 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1156 @item -tui
1157 @cindex @code{--tui}
1158 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1159 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1160 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1161 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1162 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1163 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1164 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1165
1166 @c @item -xdb
1167 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1168 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1169 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1170 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1171 @c systems.
1172
1173 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1174 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1175 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1176 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1177 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1178 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1179
1180 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1181 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1182 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1183 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1184 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1185 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1186
1187 @item -write
1188 @cindex @code{--write}
1189 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1190 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1191 (@pxref{Patching}).
1192
1193 @item -statistics
1194 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1195 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1196 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1197
1198 @item -version
1199 @cindex @code{--version}
1200 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1201 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1202
1203 @end table
1204
1205 @node Startup
1206 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1207 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1208
1209 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1210
1211 @enumerate
1212 @item
1213 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1214 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1215
1216 @item
1217 @cindex init file
1218 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1219 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1220 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1221 that file.
1222
1223 @item
1224 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1225 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1226 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1227 that file.
1228
1229 @item
1230 Processes command line options and operands.
1231
1232 @item
1233 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1234 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1235 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1236 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1237 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1238 @value{GDBN}.
1239
1240 @item
1241 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1242 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1243
1244 @item
1245 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1246 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1247 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1248 @end enumerate
1249
1250 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1251 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1252 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1253 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1254 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1255 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1256
1257 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1258 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1259
1260 @cindex init file name
1261 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1262 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1263 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1264 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1265 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1266 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1267 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1268 the file to the standard name.
1269
1270
1271 @node Quitting GDB
1272 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1273 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1274 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1275
1276 @table @code
1277 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1278 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1279 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1280 @itemx q
1281 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1282 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1283 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1284 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1285 error code.
1286 @end table
1287
1288 @cindex interrupt
1289 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1290 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1291 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1292 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1293 until a time when it is safe.
1294
1295 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1296 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1297 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1298
1299 @node Shell Commands
1300 @section Shell Commands
1301
1302 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1303 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1304 just use the @code{shell} command.
1305
1306 @table @code
1307 @kindex shell
1308 @cindex shell escape
1309 @item shell @var{command string}
1310 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1311 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1312 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1313 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1314 @end table
1315
1316 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1317 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1318 @value{GDBN}:
1319
1320 @table @code
1321 @kindex make
1322 @cindex calling make
1323 @item make @var{make-args}
1324 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1325 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1326 @end table
1327
1328 @node Logging Output
1329 @section Logging Output
1330 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1331 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1332
1333 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1334 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1335
1336 @table @code
1337 @kindex set logging
1338 @item set logging on
1339 Enable logging.
1340 @item set logging off
1341 Disable logging.
1342 @cindex logging file name
1343 @item set logging file @var{file}
1344 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1345 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1346 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1347 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1348 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1349 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1350 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1351 @kindex show logging
1352 @item show logging
1353 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1354 @end table
1355
1356 @node Commands
1357 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1358
1359 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1360 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1361 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1362 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1363 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1364
1365 @menu
1366 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1367 * Completion:: Command completion
1368 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1369 @end menu
1370
1371 @node Command Syntax
1372 @section Command Syntax
1373
1374 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1375 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1376 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1377 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1378 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1379 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1380
1381 @cindex abbreviation
1382 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1383 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1384 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1385 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1386 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1387 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1388 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1389
1390 @cindex repeating commands
1391 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1392 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1393 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1394 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1395 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1396 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1397 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1398
1399 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1400 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1401 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1402
1403 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1404 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1405 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1406 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1407 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1408
1409 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1410 @cindex comment
1411 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1412 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1413 Files,,Command Files}).
1414
1415 @cindex repeating command sequences
1416 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1417 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1418 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1419 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1420 for editing.
1421
1422 @node Completion
1423 @section Command Completion
1424
1425 @cindex completion
1426 @cindex word completion
1427 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1428 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1429 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1430 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1431
1432 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1433 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1434 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1435 enter it). For example, if you type
1436
1437 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1438 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1439 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1440 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1441 @smallexample
1442 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1443 @end smallexample
1444
1445 @noindent
1446 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1447 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1448
1449 @smallexample
1450 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1451 @end smallexample
1452
1453 @noindent
1454 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1455 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1456 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1457 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1458 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1459 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1460
1461 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1462 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1463 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1464 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1465 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1466 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1467 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1468 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1469 example:
1470
1471 @smallexample
1472 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1473 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1474 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1475 make_abs_section make_function_type
1476 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1477 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1478 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1479 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1480 @end smallexample
1481
1482 @noindent
1483 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1484 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1485 command.
1486
1487 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1488 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1489 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1490 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1491 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1492
1493 @cindex quotes in commands
1494 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1495 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1496 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1497 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1498 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1499 @value{GDBN} commands.
1500
1501 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1502 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1503 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1504 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1505 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1506 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1507 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1508 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1509 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1510 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1511 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1512
1513 @smallexample
1514 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1515 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1516 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1517 @end smallexample
1518
1519 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1520 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1521 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1522 place:
1523
1524 @smallexample
1525 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1526 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1527 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1528 @end smallexample
1529
1530 @noindent
1531 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1532 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1533 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1534
1535 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1536 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1537 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1538 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1539
1540 @cindex completion of structure field names
1541 @cindex structure field name completion
1542 @cindex completion of union field names
1543 @cindex union field name completion
1544 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1545 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1546 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1547 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1548 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1549 left-hand-side:
1550
1551 @smallexample
1552 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1553 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1554 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1555 @end smallexample
1556
1557 @noindent
1558 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1559 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1560 follows:
1561
1562 @smallexample
1563 struct ui_file
1564 @{
1565 int *magic;
1566 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1567 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1568 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1569 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1570 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1571 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1572 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1573 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1574 void *to_data;
1575 @}
1576 @end smallexample
1577
1578
1579 @node Help
1580 @section Getting Help
1581 @cindex online documentation
1582 @kindex help
1583
1584 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1585 using the command @code{help}.
1586
1587 @table @code
1588 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1589 @item help
1590 @itemx h
1591 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1592 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1593
1594 @smallexample
1595 (@value{GDBP}) help
1596 List of classes of commands:
1597
1598 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1599 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1600 data -- Examining data
1601 files -- Specifying and examining files
1602 internals -- Maintenance commands
1603 obscure -- Obscure features
1604 running -- Running the program
1605 stack -- Examining the stack
1606 status -- Status inquiries
1607 support -- Support facilities
1608 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1609 stopping the program
1610 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1611
1612 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1613 commands in that class.
1614 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1615 documentation.
1616 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1617 (@value{GDBP})
1618 @end smallexample
1619 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1620
1621 @item help @var{class}
1622 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1623 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1624 help display for the class @code{status}:
1625
1626 @smallexample
1627 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1628 Status inquiries.
1629
1630 List of commands:
1631
1632 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1633 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1634 info -- Generic command for showing things
1635 about the program being debugged
1636 show -- Generic command for showing things
1637 about the debugger
1638
1639 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1640 documentation.
1641 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1642 (@value{GDBP})
1643 @end smallexample
1644
1645 @item help @var{command}
1646 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1647 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1648
1649 @kindex apropos
1650 @item apropos @var{args}
1651 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1652 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1653 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1654
1655 @smallexample
1656 apropos reload
1657 @end smallexample
1658
1659 @noindent
1660 results in:
1661
1662 @smallexample
1663 @c @group
1664 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1665 multiple times in one run
1666 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1667 multiple times in one run
1668 @c @end group
1669 @end smallexample
1670
1671 @kindex complete
1672 @item complete @var{args}
1673 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1674 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1675 command you want completed. For example:
1676
1677 @smallexample
1678 complete i
1679 @end smallexample
1680
1681 @noindent results in:
1682
1683 @smallexample
1684 @group
1685 if
1686 ignore
1687 info
1688 inspect
1689 @end group
1690 @end smallexample
1691
1692 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1693 @end table
1694
1695 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1696 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1697 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1698 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1699 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1700 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1701
1702 @c @group
1703 @table @code
1704 @kindex info
1705 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1706 @item info
1707 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1708 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1709 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1710 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1711 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1712 @w{@code{help info}}.
1713
1714 @kindex set
1715 @item set
1716 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1717 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1718 @code{set prompt $}.
1719
1720 @kindex show
1721 @item show
1722 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1723 @value{GDBN} itself.
1724 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1725 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1726 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1727 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1728
1729 @kindex info set
1730 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1731 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1732 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1733 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1734 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1735 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1736 @end table
1737 @c @end group
1738
1739 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1740 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1741
1742 @table @code
1743 @kindex show version
1744 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1745 @item show version
1746 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1747 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1748 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1749 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1750 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1751 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1752 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1753 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1754 @value{GDBN}.
1755
1756 @kindex show copying
1757 @kindex info copying
1758 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1759 @item show copying
1760 @itemx info copying
1761 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1762
1763 @kindex show warranty
1764 @kindex info warranty
1765 @item show warranty
1766 @itemx info warranty
1767 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1768 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1769
1770 @end table
1771
1772 @node Running
1773 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1774
1775 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1776 debugging information when you compile it.
1777
1778 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1779 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1780 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1781 kill a child process.
1782
1783 @menu
1784 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1785 * Starting:: Starting your program
1786 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1787 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1788
1789 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1790 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1791 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1792 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1793
1794 * Inferiors:: Debugging multiple inferiors
1795 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1796 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1797 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1798 @end menu
1799
1800 @node Compilation
1801 @section Compiling for Debugging
1802
1803 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1804 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1805 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1806 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1807 and addresses in the executable code.
1808
1809 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1810 the compiler.
1811
1812 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1813 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1814 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1815 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1816 executables containing debugging information.
1817
1818 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1819 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1820 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1821 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1822 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1823
1824 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1825 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1826 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1827
1828 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1829 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1830 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1831 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1832 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1833 provides macro information if you specify the options
1834 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1835 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1836 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1837 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1838 @option{-g} alone.
1839
1840 @need 2000
1841 @node Starting
1842 @section Starting your Program
1843 @cindex starting
1844 @cindex running
1845
1846 @table @code
1847 @kindex run
1848 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1849 @item run
1850 @itemx r
1851 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1852 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1853 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1854 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1855 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1856
1857 @end table
1858
1859 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1860 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1861 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1862 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1863 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1864 message like this one:
1865
1866 @smallexample
1867 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1868 Try "help target" or "continue".
1869 @end smallexample
1870
1871 @noindent
1872 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1873 first (@pxref{load}).
1874
1875 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1876 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1877 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1878 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1879 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1880 divided into four categories:
1881
1882 @table @asis
1883 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1884 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1885 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1886 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1887 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1888 the arguments.
1889 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1890 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1891 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1892
1893 @item The @emph{environment.}
1894 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1895 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1896 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1897 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1898
1899 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1900 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1901 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1902 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1903
1904 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1905 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1906 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1907 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1908 set a different device for your program.
1909 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1910
1911 @cindex pipes
1912 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1913 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1914 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1915 wrong program.
1916 @end table
1917
1918 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1919 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1920 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1921 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1922 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1923
1924 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1925 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1926 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1927 your current breakpoints.
1928
1929 @table @code
1930 @kindex start
1931 @item start
1932 @cindex run to main procedure
1933 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1934 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1935 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1936 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1937 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1938 procedure, depending on the language used.
1939
1940 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1941 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1942 the @samp{run} command.
1943
1944 @cindex elaboration phase
1945 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1946 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1947 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1948 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1949 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1950 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1951 will remain to halt execution.
1952
1953 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1954 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1955 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1956 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1957 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1958
1959 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1960 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1961 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1962 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1963 elaboration code before running your program.
1964
1965 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1966 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1967 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1968 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1969 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1970 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1971 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1972 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1973 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1974 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1975 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1976
1977 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1978 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1979 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1980 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1981
1982 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1983 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1984 environment:
1985
1986 @smallexample
1987 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1988 (@value{GDBP}) run
1989 @end smallexample
1990
1991 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
1992 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
1993
1994 @kindex set disable-randomization
1995 @item set disable-randomization
1996 @itemx set disable-randomization on
1997 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
1998 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
1999 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2000 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2001
2002 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2003 behavior using
2004
2005 @smallexample
2006 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2007 @end smallexample
2008
2009 @item set disable-randomization off
2010 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2011 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2012 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2013 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2014 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2015 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2016
2017 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2018 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2019 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2020 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2021 a code at its expected addresses.
2022
2023 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2024 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2025 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2026 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2027 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2028 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2029 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2030 a randomly chosen address.
2031
2032 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2033 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2034 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2035 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2036 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2037
2038 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2039 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2040
2041 @item show disable-randomization
2042 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2043 the virtual address space of the started program.
2044
2045 @end table
2046
2047 @node Arguments
2048 @section Your Program's Arguments
2049
2050 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2051 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2052 @code{run} command.
2053 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2054 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2055 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2056 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2057 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2058
2059 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2060 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2061 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2062 the program, not by the shell.
2063
2064 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2065 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2066
2067 @table @code
2068 @kindex set args
2069 @item set args
2070 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2071 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2072 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2073 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2074 it again without arguments.
2075
2076 @kindex show args
2077 @item show args
2078 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2079 @end table
2080
2081 @node Environment
2082 @section Your Program's Environment
2083
2084 @cindex environment (of your program)
2085 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2086 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2087 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2088 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2089 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2090 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2091 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2092
2093 @table @code
2094 @kindex path
2095 @item path @var{directory}
2096 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2097 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2098 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2099 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2100 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2101 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2102 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2103
2104 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2105 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2106 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2107 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2108 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2109 @var{directory} to the search path.
2110 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2111 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2112
2113 @kindex show paths
2114 @item show paths
2115 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2116 environment variable).
2117
2118 @kindex show environment
2119 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2120 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2121 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2122 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2123 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2124
2125 @kindex set environment
2126 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2127 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2128 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2129 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2130 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2131 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2132 null value.
2133 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2134 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2135
2136 For example, this command:
2137
2138 @smallexample
2139 set env USER = foo
2140 @end smallexample
2141
2142 @noindent
2143 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2144 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2145 are not actually required.)
2146
2147 @kindex unset environment
2148 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2149 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2150 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2151 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2152 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2153 @end table
2154
2155 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2156 the shell indicated
2157 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2158 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2159 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2160 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2161 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2162 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2163 @file{.profile}.
2164
2165 @node Working Directory
2166 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2167
2168 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2169 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2170 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2171 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2172 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2173 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2174
2175 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2176 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2177 Specify Files}.
2178
2179 @table @code
2180 @kindex cd
2181 @cindex change working directory
2182 @item cd @var{directory}
2183 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2184
2185 @kindex pwd
2186 @item pwd
2187 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2188 @end table
2189
2190 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2191 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2192 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2193 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2194 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2195 current working directory of the debuggee.
2196
2197 @node Input/Output
2198 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2199
2200 @cindex redirection
2201 @cindex i/o
2202 @cindex terminal
2203 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2204 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2205 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2206 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2207 running your program.
2208
2209 @table @code
2210 @kindex info terminal
2211 @item info terminal
2212 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2213 program is using.
2214 @end table
2215
2216 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2217 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2218
2219 @smallexample
2220 run > outfile
2221 @end smallexample
2222
2223 @noindent
2224 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2225
2226 @kindex tty
2227 @cindex controlling terminal
2228 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2229 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2230 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2231 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2232 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2233
2234 @smallexample
2235 tty /dev/ttyb
2236 @end smallexample
2237
2238 @noindent
2239 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2240 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2241 that as their controlling terminal.
2242
2243 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2244 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2245 terminal.
2246
2247 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2248 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2249 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2250 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2251
2252 @cindex inferior tty
2253 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2254 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2255 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2256 program.
2257
2258 @table @code
2259 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2260 @kindex set inferior-tty
2261 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2262
2263 @item show inferior-tty
2264 @kindex show inferior-tty
2265 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2266 @end table
2267
2268 @node Attach
2269 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2270 @kindex attach
2271 @cindex attach
2272
2273 @table @code
2274 @item attach @var{process-id}
2275 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2276 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2277 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2278 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2279 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2280
2281 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2282 executing the command.
2283 @end table
2284
2285 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2286 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2287 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2288 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2289
2290 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2291 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2292 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2293 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2294 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2295 Specify Files}.
2296
2297 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2298 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2299 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2300 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2301 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2302 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2303 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2304
2305 @table @code
2306 @kindex detach
2307 @item detach
2308 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2309 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2310 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2311 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2312 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2313 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2314 executing the command.
2315 @end table
2316
2317 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2318 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2319 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2320 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2321 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2322 Messages}).
2323
2324 @node Kill Process
2325 @section Killing the Child Process
2326
2327 @table @code
2328 @kindex kill
2329 @item kill
2330 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2331 @end table
2332
2333 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2334 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2335 is running.
2336
2337 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2338 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2339 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2340 outside the debugger.
2341
2342 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2343 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2344 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2345 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2346 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2347 breakpoint settings).
2348
2349 @node Inferiors
2350 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2351
2352 Some @value{GDBN} targets are able to run multiple processes created
2353 from a single executable. This can happen, for instance, with an
2354 embedded system reporting back several processes via the remote
2355 protocol.
2356
2357 @cindex inferior
2358 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2359 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2360 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2361 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2362 may (in future) be retained after a process exits. Each run of an
2363 executable creates a new inferior, as does each attachment to an
2364 existing process. Inferiors have unique identifiers that are
2365 different from process ids, and may optionally be named as well.
2366 Usually each inferior will also have its own distinct address space,
2367 although some embedded targets may have several inferiors running in
2368 different parts of a single space.
2369
2370 Each inferior may in turn have multiple threads running in it.
2371
2372 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @code{info inferiors}:
2373
2374 @table @code
2375 @kindex info inferiors
2376 @item info inferiors
2377 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2378
2379 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2380
2381 @enumerate
2382 @item
2383 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2384
2385 @item
2386 the target system's inferior identifier
2387 @end enumerate
2388
2389 @noindent
2390 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2391 indicates the current inferior.
2392
2393 For example,
2394 @end table
2395 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2396
2397 @smallexample
2398 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2399 Num Description
2400 * 1 process 2307
2401 2 process 3401
2402 @end smallexample
2403
2404 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2405
2406 @table @code
2407 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2408 @item inferior @var{infno}
2409 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2410 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2411 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2412 @end table
2413
2414 To quit debugging one of the inferiors, you can either detach from it
2415 by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it to run
2416 independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2417
2418 @table @code
2419 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2420 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2421 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2422 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2423
2424 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2425 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2426 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2427 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2428 @end table
2429
2430 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2431 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2432
2433 @table @code
2434 @kindex set print inferior-events
2435 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2436 @item set print inferior-events
2437 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2438 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2439 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2440 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2441 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2442 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2443
2444 @kindex show print inferior-events
2445 @item show print inferior-events
2446 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2447 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2448 @end table
2449
2450 @node Threads
2451 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2452
2453 @cindex threads of execution
2454 @cindex multiple threads
2455 @cindex switching threads
2456 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2457 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2458 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2459 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2460 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2461 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2462 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2463
2464 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2465 programs:
2466
2467 @itemize @bullet
2468 @item automatic notification of new threads
2469 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2470 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2471 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2472 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2473 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2474 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2475 messages on thread start and exit.
2476 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2477 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2478 isn't compatible with the program.
2479 @end itemize
2480
2481 @quotation
2482 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2483 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2484 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2485 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2486 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2487 like this:
2488
2489 @smallexample
2490 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2491 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2492 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2493 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2494 @end smallexample
2495 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2496 @c doesn't support threads"?
2497 @end quotation
2498
2499 @cindex focus of debugging
2500 @cindex current thread
2501 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2502 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2503 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2504 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2505 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2506
2507 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2508 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2509 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2510 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2511 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2512 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2513 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2514 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2515 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2516 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2517
2518 @smallexample
2519 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2520 @end smallexample
2521
2522 @noindent
2523 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2524 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2525 further qualifier.
2526
2527 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2528 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2529 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2530 @c program?
2531 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2532 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2533 @c threads ab initio?
2534
2535 @cindex thread number
2536 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2537 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2538 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2539
2540 @table @code
2541 @kindex info threads
2542 @item info threads
2543 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2544 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2545
2546 @enumerate
2547 @item
2548 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2549
2550 @item
2551 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2552
2553 @item
2554 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2555 @end enumerate
2556
2557 @noindent
2558 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2559 indicates the current thread.
2560
2561 For example,
2562 @end table
2563 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2564
2565 @smallexample
2566 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2567 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2568 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2569 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2570 at threadtest.c:68
2571 @end smallexample
2572
2573 On HP-UX systems:
2574
2575 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2576 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2577 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2578 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2579 thread in your program.
2580
2581 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2582 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2583 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2584 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2585 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2586 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2587 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2588 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2589 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2590 HP-UX, you see
2591
2592 @smallexample
2593 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2594 @end smallexample
2595
2596 @noindent
2597 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2598
2599 @table @code
2600 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2601 @item info threads
2602 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2603 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2604
2605 @enumerate
2606 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2607
2608 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2609
2610 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2611 @end enumerate
2612
2613 @noindent
2614 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2615 indicates the current thread.
2616
2617 For example,
2618 @end table
2619 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2620
2621 @smallexample
2622 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2623 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2624 at quicksort.c:137
2625 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2626 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2627 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2628 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2629 @end smallexample
2630
2631 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2632 Solaris-specific command:
2633
2634 @table @code
2635 @item maint info sol-threads
2636 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2637 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2638 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2639 @end table
2640
2641 @table @code
2642 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2643 @item thread @var{threadno}
2644 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2645 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2646 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2647 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2648 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2649
2650 @smallexample
2651 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2652 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2653 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2654 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2655 @end smallexample
2656
2657 @noindent
2658 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2659 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2660 threads.
2661
2662 @kindex thread apply
2663 @cindex apply command to several threads
2664 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2665 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2666 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2667 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2668 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2669 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2670 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2671 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2672
2673 @kindex set print thread-events
2674 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2675 @item set print thread-events
2676 @itemx set print thread-events on
2677 @itemx set print thread-events off
2678 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2679 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2680 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2681 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2682 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2683
2684 @kindex show print thread-events
2685 @item show print thread-events
2686 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2687 have started and exited.
2688 @end table
2689
2690 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2691 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2692 programs with multiple threads.
2693
2694 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2695 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2696
2697 @table @code
2698 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2699 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2700 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2701 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2702 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2703 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2704 an empty list.
2705
2706 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2707 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2708 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2709 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2710 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2711 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2712
2713 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2714 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2715 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2716 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2717 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2718 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2719 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2720
2721 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2722 only on some platforms.
2723
2724 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2725 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2726 Display current libthread_db search path.
2727 @end table
2728
2729 @node Processes
2730 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Processes
2731
2732 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2733 @cindex multiple processes
2734 @cindex processes, multiple
2735 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2736 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2737 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2738 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2739 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2740 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2741 will cause it to terminate.
2742
2743 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2744 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2745 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2746 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2747 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2748 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2749 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2750 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2751 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2752 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2753
2754 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2755 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2756 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2757 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2758
2759 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2760 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2761
2762 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2763 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2764
2765 @table @code
2766 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2767 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2768 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2769 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2770 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2771
2772 @table @code
2773 @item parent
2774 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2775 unimpeded. This is the default.
2776
2777 @item child
2778 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2779 unimpeded.
2780
2781 @end table
2782
2783 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2784 @item show follow-fork-mode
2785 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2786 @end table
2787
2788 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2789 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2790 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2791
2792 @table @code
2793 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2794 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2795 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2796 retain debugger control over them both.
2797
2798 @table @code
2799 @item on
2800 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2801 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2802 independently. This is the default.
2803
2804 @item off
2805 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2806 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2807 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2808 is held suspended.
2809
2810 @end table
2811
2812 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2813 @item show detach-on-fork
2814 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2815 @end table
2816
2817 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2818 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2819 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2820 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2821 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors,
2822 ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors}).
2823
2824 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2825 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2826 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2827 command. @xref{Inferiors, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors}.
2828
2829 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2830 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2831 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2832 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2833 the child process's @code{main}.
2834
2835 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2836 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2837
2838 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2839 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2840 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2841 argument.
2842
2843 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2844 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2845 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
2846
2847 @node Checkpoint/Restart
2848 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
2849
2850 @cindex checkpoint
2851 @cindex restart
2852 @cindex bookmark
2853 @cindex snapshot of a process
2854 @cindex rewind program state
2855
2856 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
2857 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
2858 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
2859 later.
2860
2861 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
2862 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
2863 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
2864 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
2865 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
2866
2867 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
2868 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
2869 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
2870 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
2871 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
2872 start again from there.
2873
2874 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
2875 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
2876
2877 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
2878
2879 @table @code
2880 @kindex checkpoint
2881 @item checkpoint
2882 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
2883 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
2884 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
2885
2886 @kindex info checkpoints
2887 @item info checkpoints
2888 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
2889 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
2890 listed:
2891
2892 @table @code
2893 @item Checkpoint ID
2894 @item Process ID
2895 @item Code Address
2896 @item Source line, or label
2897 @end table
2898
2899 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2900 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2901 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
2902 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
2903 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
2904 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
2905 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
2906
2907 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
2908 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
2909 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
2910 the debugger.
2911
2912 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2913 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2914 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
2915
2916 @end table
2917
2918 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
2919 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
2920 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
2921 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
2922 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
2923 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
2924 previously read data can be read again.
2925
2926 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
2927 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
2928 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
2929 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
2930 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
2931 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
2932
2933 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
2934 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
2935 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
2936 different execution path this time.
2937
2938 @cindex checkpoints and process id
2939 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
2940 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
2941 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
2942 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
2943 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
2944 potentially pose a problem.
2945
2946 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
2947
2948 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
2949 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
2950 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
2951 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
2952 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
2953 next.
2954
2955 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
2956 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
2957 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
2958 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
2959 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
2960
2961 @node Stopping
2962 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2963
2964 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2965 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2966 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2967
2968 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2969 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2970 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2971 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2972 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2973 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2974 explicitly request this information at any time.
2975
2976 @table @code
2977 @kindex info program
2978 @item info program
2979 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2980 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2981 @end table
2982
2983 @menu
2984 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2985 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2986 * Signals:: Signals
2987 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2988 @end menu
2989
2990 @node Breakpoints
2991 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
2992
2993 @cindex breakpoints
2994 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2995 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2996 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2997 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2998 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2999 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3000 program.
3001
3002 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3003 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3004 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3005 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3006 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3007 call).
3008
3009 @cindex watchpoints
3010 @cindex data breakpoints
3011 @cindex memory tracing
3012 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3013 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3014 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3015 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3016 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3017 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3018 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3019 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3020 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3021 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3022 same commands.
3023
3024 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3025 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3026 Automatic Display}.
3027
3028 @cindex catchpoints
3029 @cindex breakpoint on events
3030 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3031 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3032 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3033 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3034 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3035 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3036 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3037
3038 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3039 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3040 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3041 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3042 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3043 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3044 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3045 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3046 enable it again.
3047
3048 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3049 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3050 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3051 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3052 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3053 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3054 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3055
3056 @menu
3057 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3058 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3059 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3060 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3061 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3062 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3063 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3064 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3065 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3066 @end menu
3067
3068 @node Set Breaks
3069 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3070
3071 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3072 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3073 @c
3074 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3075
3076 @kindex break
3077 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3078 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3079 @cindex latest breakpoint
3080 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3081 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3082 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3083 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3084 convenience variables.
3085
3086 @table @code
3087 @item break @var{location}
3088 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3089 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3090 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3091 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3092 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3093
3094 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3095 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3096 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3097 that situation.
3098
3099 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3100 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3101 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3102
3103 @item break
3104 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3105 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3106 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3107 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3108 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3109 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3110 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3111 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3112 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3113 inside loops.
3114
3115 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3116 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3117 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3118 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3119 existed when your program stopped.
3120
3121 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3122 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3123 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3124 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3125 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3126 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3127 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3128
3129 @kindex tbreak
3130 @item tbreak @var{args}
3131 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3132 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3133 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3134 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3135
3136 @kindex hbreak
3137 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3138 @item hbreak @var{args}
3139 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3140 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3141 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3142 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3143 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3144 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3145 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3146 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3147 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3148 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3149 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3150 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3151 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3152 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3153 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3154 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3155 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3156 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3157
3158 @kindex thbreak
3159 @item thbreak @var{args}
3160 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3161 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3162 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3163 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3164 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3165 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3166 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3167 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3168
3169 @kindex rbreak
3170 @cindex regular expression
3171 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3172 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3173 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3174 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3175 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3176 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3177 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3178 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3179 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3180
3181 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3182 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3183 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3184 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3185 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3186 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3187
3188 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3189 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3190 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3191 classes.
3192
3193 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3194 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3195 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3196
3197 @smallexample
3198 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3199 @end smallexample
3200
3201 @kindex info breakpoints
3202 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3203 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3204 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3205 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3206 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3207 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3208 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3209 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3210
3211 @table @emph
3212 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3213 @item Type
3214 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3215 @item Disposition
3216 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3217 @item Enabled or Disabled
3218 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3219 that are not enabled.
3220 @item Address
3221 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3222 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3223 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3224 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3225 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3226 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3227 @item What
3228 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3229 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3230 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3231 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3232 @end table
3233
3234 @noindent
3235 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3236 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3237 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3238 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3239 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3240 valid location.
3241
3242 @noindent
3243 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3244 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3245 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3246 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3247 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3248
3249 @noindent
3250 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3251 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3252 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3253 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3254 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3255 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3256 @end table
3257
3258 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3259 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3260 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3261 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3262
3263 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3264 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3265 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3266 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3267
3268 @itemize @bullet
3269 @item
3270 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3271 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3272
3273 @item
3274 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3275 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3276
3277 @item
3278 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3279 several places where that function is inlined.
3280 @end itemize
3281
3282 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3283 the relevant locations@footnote{
3284 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3285 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3286 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3287 info with line numbers for them.}.
3288
3289 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3290 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3291 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3292 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3293 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3294 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3295 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3296
3297 For example:
3298
3299 @smallexample
3300 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3301 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3302 stop only if i==1
3303 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3304 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3305 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3306 @end smallexample
3307
3308 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3309 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3310 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3311 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3312 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3313 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3314 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3315 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3316 that belong to that breakpoint.
3317
3318 @cindex pending breakpoints
3319 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3320 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3321 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3322 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3323 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3324 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3325 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3326 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3327 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3328 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3329 is not yet resolved.
3330
3331 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3332 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3333 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3334 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3335 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3336 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3337
3338 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3339 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3340 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3341 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3342
3343 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3344 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3345 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3346
3347 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3348 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3349 address specification to an address:
3350
3351 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3352 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3353 @table @code
3354 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3355 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3356 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3357
3358 @item set breakpoint pending on
3359 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3360 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3361
3362 @item set breakpoint pending off
3363 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3364 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3365 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3366
3367 @item show breakpoint pending
3368 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3369 @end table
3370
3371 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3372 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3373 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3374
3375 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3376 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3377 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3378 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3379 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3380 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3381 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3382 breakpoints.
3383
3384 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3385
3386 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3387 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3388 @table @code
3389 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3390 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3391 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3392 breakpoint must be used.
3393
3394 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3395 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3396 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3397 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3398 @end table
3399
3400 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3401 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3402 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3403 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3404 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3405 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3406 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3407 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3408 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3409
3410 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3411 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3412 @table @code
3413 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3414 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3415 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3416 removed from the target when it stops.
3417
3418 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3419 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3420 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3421 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3422 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3423
3424 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3425 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3426 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3427 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3428 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3429 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3430 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3431 @end table
3432
3433 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3434 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3435 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3436 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3437 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3438 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3439 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3440 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3441
3442
3443 @node Set Watchpoints
3444 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3445
3446 @cindex setting watchpoints
3447 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3448 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3449 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3450 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3451 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3452
3453 @itemize @bullet
3454 @item
3455 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3456
3457 @item
3458 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3459 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3460 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3461
3462 @item
3463 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3464 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3465 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3466 @end itemize
3467
3468 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3469 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3470 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3471 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3472 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3473 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3474 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3475 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3476 the expression changes.
3477
3478 @cindex software watchpoints
3479 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3480 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3481 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3482 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3483 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3484 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3485 culprit.)
3486
3487 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3488 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3489 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3490
3491 @table @code
3492 @kindex watch
3493 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3494 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3495 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3496 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3497 to watch the value of a single variable:
3498
3499 @smallexample
3500 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3501 @end smallexample
3502
3503 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3504 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3505 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3506 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3507 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3508 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3509
3510 @kindex rwatch
3511 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3512 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3513 by the program.
3514
3515 @kindex awatch
3516 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3517 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3518 or written into by the program.
3519
3520 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3521 @item info watchpoints
3522 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3523 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3524 @end table
3525
3526 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3527 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3528 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3529 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3530 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3531 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3532
3533 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3534 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3535 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3536 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3537 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3538 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3539 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3540 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3541
3542 @table @code
3543 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3544 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3545 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3546
3547 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3548 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3549 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3550 @end table
3551
3552 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3553 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3554 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3555
3556 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3557
3558 @smallexample
3559 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3560 @end smallexample
3561
3562 @noindent
3563 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3564
3565 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3566 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3567 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3568 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3569 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3570 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3571 will print a message like this:
3572
3573 @smallexample
3574 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3575 @end smallexample
3576
3577 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3578 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3579 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3580 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3581 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3582 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3583 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3584 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3585
3586 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3587 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3588 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3589 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3590 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3591 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3592
3593 @smallexample
3594 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3595 @end smallexample
3596
3597 @noindent
3598 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3599
3600 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3601 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3602 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3603 expression with separately allocated resources.
3604
3605 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3606 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3607 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3608
3609 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3610 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3611 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3612 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3613 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3614 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3615 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3616 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3617 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3618
3619 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3620 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3621 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3622 watched expression from every thread.
3623
3624 @quotation
3625 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3626 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3627 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3628 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3629 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3630 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3631 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3632 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3633 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3634 @end quotation
3635
3636 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3637
3638 @node Set Catchpoints
3639 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3640 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3641 @cindex exception handlers
3642 @cindex event handling
3643
3644 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3645 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3646 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3647
3648 @table @code
3649 @kindex catch
3650 @item catch @var{event}
3651 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3652 @table @code
3653 @item throw
3654 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3655 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3656
3657 @item catch
3658 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3659
3660 @item exception
3661 @cindex Ada exception catching
3662 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3663 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3664 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3665 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3666 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3667
3668 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3669 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3670 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3671 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3672 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3673 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3674 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3675 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3676
3677 @item exception unhandled
3678 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3679
3680 @item assert
3681 A failed Ada assertion.
3682
3683 @item exec
3684 @cindex break on fork/exec
3685 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3686 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3687
3688 @item fork
3689 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3690 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3691
3692 @item vfork
3693 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3694 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3695
3696 @end table
3697
3698 @item tcatch @var{event}
3699 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
3700 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
3701
3702 @end table
3703
3704 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
3705
3706 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
3707 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
3708
3709 @itemize @bullet
3710 @item
3711 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3712 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3713 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3714 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
3715 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
3716 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
3717 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
3718 disabled within interactive calls.
3719
3720 @item
3721 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3722
3723 @item
3724 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3725 @end itemize
3726
3727 @cindex raise exceptions
3728 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
3729 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
3730 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
3731 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
3732 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
3733 out where the exception was raised.
3734
3735 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
3736 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
3737 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
3738 which has the following ANSI C interface:
3739
3740 @smallexample
3741 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
3742 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
3743 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
3744 @end smallexample
3745
3746 @noindent
3747 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
3748 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
3749 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
3750
3751 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
3752 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
3753 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
3754 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
3755 raised.
3756
3757
3758 @node Delete Breaks
3759 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
3760
3761 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3762 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3763 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3764 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
3765 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
3766 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
3767
3768 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
3769 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
3770 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
3771 their breakpoint numbers.
3772
3773 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
3774 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
3775 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
3776
3777 @table @code
3778 @kindex clear
3779 @item clear
3780 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
3781 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
3782 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
3783 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
3784
3785 @item clear @var{location}
3786 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
3787 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
3788 most useful ones are listed below:
3789
3790 @table @code
3791 @item clear @var{function}
3792 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
3793 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
3794
3795 @item clear @var{linenum}
3796 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
3797 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
3798 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
3799 @end table
3800
3801 @cindex delete breakpoints
3802 @kindex delete
3803 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
3804 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3805 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
3806 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
3807 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
3808 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
3809 @end table
3810
3811 @node Disabling
3812 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
3813
3814 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
3815 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
3816 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
3817 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
3818 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
3819
3820 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
3821 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
3822 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
3823 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
3824 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
3825
3826 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
3827 affects all of its locations.
3828
3829 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
3830 states of enablement:
3831
3832 @itemize @bullet
3833 @item
3834 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
3835 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
3836 @item
3837 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
3838 @item
3839 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
3840 disabled.
3841 @item
3842 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
3843 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
3844 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
3845 @end itemize
3846
3847 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
3848 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
3849
3850 @table @code
3851 @kindex disable
3852 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
3853 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3854 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
3855 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
3856 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
3857 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
3858 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
3859
3860 @kindex enable
3861 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3862 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
3863 become effective once again in stopping your program.
3864
3865 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
3866 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
3867 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
3868
3869 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
3870 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3871 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3872 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
3873 @end table
3874
3875 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3876 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3877 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3878 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3879 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3880 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3881 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3882 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3883 Stepping}.)
3884
3885 @node Conditions
3886 @subsection Break Conditions
3887 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3888 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3889
3890 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3891 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3892 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3893 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3894 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3895 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3896 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3897 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3898
3899 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3900 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3901 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3902 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3903 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3904
3905 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3906 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3907 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3908 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3909 one.
3910
3911 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3912 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3913 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3914 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3915 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3916 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3917 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3918 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3919 conditions for the
3920 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3921 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
3922
3923 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3924 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3925 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3926 with the @code{condition} command.
3927
3928 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3929 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3930 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3931 catchpoint.
3932
3933 @table @code
3934 @kindex condition
3935 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3936 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3937 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3938 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3939 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3940 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3941 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3942 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3943 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3944 prints an error message:
3945
3946 @smallexample
3947 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3948 @end smallexample
3949
3950 @noindent
3951 @value{GDBN} does
3952 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3953 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3954 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3955
3956 @item condition @var{bnum}
3957 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3958 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3959 @end table
3960
3961 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3962 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3963 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3964 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3965 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3966 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3967 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3968 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3969 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3970 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3971 your program reaches it.
3972
3973 @table @code
3974 @kindex ignore
3975 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3976 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3977 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3978 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3979 takes no action.
3980
3981 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3982 a count of zero.
3983
3984 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3985 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3986 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3987 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
3988
3989 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3990 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3991 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3992
3993 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3994 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3995 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3996 Variables}.
3997 @end table
3998
3999 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4000
4001
4002 @node Break Commands
4003 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4004
4005 @cindex breakpoint commands
4006 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4007 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4008 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4009 enable other breakpoints.
4010
4011 @table @code
4012 @kindex commands
4013 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4014 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
4015 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4016 @itemx end
4017 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
4018 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4019 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4020
4021 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4022 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4023
4024 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
4025 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
4026 recently encountered).
4027 @end table
4028
4029 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4030 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4031
4032 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4033 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4034 that resumes execution.
4035
4036 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4037 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4038 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4039 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4040 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4041
4042 @kindex silent
4043 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4044 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4045 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4046 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4047 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4048 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4049
4050 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4051 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4052 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4053
4054 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4055 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4056
4057 @smallexample
4058 break foo if x>0
4059 commands
4060 silent
4061 printf "x is %d\n",x
4062 cont
4063 end
4064 @end smallexample
4065
4066 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4067 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4068 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4069 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4070 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4071 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4072 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4073
4074 @smallexample
4075 break 403
4076 commands
4077 silent
4078 set x = y + 4
4079 cont
4080 end
4081 @end smallexample
4082
4083 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4084 @node Error in Breakpoints
4085 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4086
4087 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4088 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4089
4090 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4091 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4092 @smallexample
4093 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4094 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4095 @end smallexample
4096
4097 @noindent
4098 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4099 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4100 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4101
4102 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4103 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4104
4105 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4106 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4107 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4108
4109 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4110 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4111 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4112 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4113
4114 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4115 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4116 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4117 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4118 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4119 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4120 first in the bundle.
4121
4122 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4123 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4124 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4125 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4126 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4127 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4128 is hit.
4129
4130 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4131 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4132
4133 @smallexample
4134 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4135 @end smallexample
4136
4137 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4138 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4139 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4140 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4141 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4142 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4143 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4144 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4145
4146 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4147 adjusted breakpoints:
4148
4149 @smallexample
4150 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4151 to 0x00010410.
4152 @end smallexample
4153
4154 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4155 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4156 frequently than expected.
4157
4158 @node Continuing and Stepping
4159 @section Continuing and Stepping
4160
4161 @cindex stepping
4162 @cindex continuing
4163 @cindex resuming execution
4164 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4165 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4166 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4167 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4168 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4169 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4170 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4171 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4172
4173 @table @code
4174 @kindex continue
4175 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4176 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4177 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4178 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4179 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4180 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4181 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4182 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4183 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4184 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4185
4186 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4187 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4188 @code{continue} is ignored.
4189
4190 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4191 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4192 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4193 @code{continue}.
4194 @end table
4195
4196 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4197 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4198 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4199 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4200
4201 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4202 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4203 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4204 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4205 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4206 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4207
4208 @table @code
4209 @kindex step
4210 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4211 @item step
4212 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4213 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4214 abbreviated @code{s}.
4215
4216 @quotation
4217 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4218 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4219 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4220 @c distinction here.
4221 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4222 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4223 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4224 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4225 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4226 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4227 below.
4228 @end quotation
4229
4230 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4231 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4232 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4233 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4234 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4235 called within the line.
4236
4237 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4238 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4239 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4240 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4241 was any debugging information about the routine.
4242
4243 @item step @var{count}
4244 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4245 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4246 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4247
4248 @kindex next
4249 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4250 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4251 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4252 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4253 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4254 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4255 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4256 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4257
4258 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4259
4260
4261 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4262 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4263 @c
4264 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4265 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4266 @c function are executed without stopping.
4267
4268 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4269 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4270 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4271
4272 @kindex set step-mode
4273 @item set step-mode
4274 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4275 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4276 @itemx set step-mode on
4277 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4278 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4279 information rather than stepping over it.
4280
4281 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4282 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4283 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4284
4285 @item set step-mode off
4286 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4287 debug information. This is the default.
4288
4289 @item show step-mode
4290 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4291 source line debug information.
4292
4293 @kindex finish
4294 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4295 @item finish
4296 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4297 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4298 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4299
4300 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4301 ,Returning from a Function}).
4302
4303 @kindex until
4304 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4305 @cindex run until specified location
4306 @item until
4307 @itemx u
4308 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4309 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4310 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4311 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4312 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4313 than the address of the jump.
4314
4315 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4316 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4317 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4318 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4319 through the next iteration.
4320
4321 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4322 stack frame.
4323
4324 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4325 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4326 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4327 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4328 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4329
4330 @smallexample
4331 (@value{GDBP}) f
4332 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4333 206 expand_input();
4334 (@value{GDBP}) until
4335 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4336 @end smallexample
4337
4338 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4339 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4340 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4341 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4342 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4343 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4344 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4345
4346 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4347 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4348 argument.
4349
4350 @item until @var{location}
4351 @itemx u @var{location}
4352 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4353 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4354 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4355 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4356 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4357 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4358 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4359 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4360 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4361 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4362 invocations have returned.
4363
4364 @smallexample
4365 94 int factorial (int value)
4366 95 @{
4367 96 if (value > 1) @{
4368 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4369 98 @}
4370 99 return (value);
4371 100 @}
4372 @end smallexample
4373
4374
4375 @kindex advance @var{location}
4376 @itemx advance @var{location}
4377 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4378 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4379 @ref{Specify Location}.
4380 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4381 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4382 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4383 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4384
4385
4386 @kindex stepi
4387 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4388 @item stepi
4389 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4390 @itemx si
4391 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4392
4393 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4394 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4395 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4396 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4397
4398 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4399
4400 @need 750
4401 @kindex nexti
4402 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4403 @item nexti
4404 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4405 @itemx ni
4406 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4407 proceed until the function returns.
4408
4409 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4410 @end table
4411
4412 @node Signals
4413 @section Signals
4414 @cindex signals
4415
4416 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4417 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4418 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4419 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4420 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4421 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4422 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4423 requested an alarm).
4424
4425 @cindex fatal signals
4426 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4427 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4428 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4429 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4430 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4431 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4432
4433 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4434 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4435 signal.
4436
4437 @cindex handling signals
4438 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4439 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4440 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4441 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4442 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4443
4444 @table @code
4445 @kindex info signals
4446 @kindex info handle
4447 @item info signals
4448 @itemx info handle
4449 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4450 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4451 the defined types of signals.
4452
4453 @item info signals @var{sig}
4454 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4455
4456 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4457
4458 @kindex handle
4459 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4460 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4461 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4462 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4463 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4464 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4465 say what change to make.
4466 @end table
4467
4468 @c @group
4469 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4470 Their full names are:
4471
4472 @table @code
4473 @item nostop
4474 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4475 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4476
4477 @item stop
4478 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4479 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4480
4481 @item print
4482 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4483
4484 @item noprint
4485 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4486 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4487
4488 @item pass
4489 @itemx noignore
4490 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4491 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4492 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4493
4494 @item nopass
4495 @itemx ignore
4496 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4497 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4498 @end table
4499 @c @end group
4500
4501 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4502 program until you
4503 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4504 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4505 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4506 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4507 program sees that signal when you continue.
4508
4509 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4510 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4511 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4512 erroneous signals.
4513
4514 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4515 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4516 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4517 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4518 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4519 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4520 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4521 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4522 Program a Signal}.
4523
4524 @cindex extra signal information
4525 @anchor{extra signal information}
4526
4527 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4528 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4529 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4530 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4531 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4532 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4533 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4534 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4535 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4536 system header.
4537
4538 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4539 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4540
4541 @smallexample
4542 @group
4543 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4544 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4545 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4546 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4547 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4548 type = struct @{
4549 int si_signo;
4550 int si_errno;
4551 int si_code;
4552 union @{
4553 int _pad[28];
4554 struct @{...@} _kill;
4555 struct @{...@} _timer;
4556 struct @{...@} _rt;
4557 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4558 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4559 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4560 @} _sifields;
4561 @}
4562 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4563 type = struct @{
4564 void *si_addr;
4565 @}
4566 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4567 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4568 @end group
4569 @end smallexample
4570
4571 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4572
4573 @node Thread Stops
4574 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4575
4576 @cindex stopped threads
4577 @cindex threads, stopped
4578
4579 @cindex continuing threads
4580 @cindex threads, continuing
4581
4582 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4583 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4584 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4585 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4586 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4587 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4588 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4589 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4590 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4591
4592 @menu
4593 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4594 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4595 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4596 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4597 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4598 @end menu
4599
4600 @node All-Stop Mode
4601 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4602
4603 @cindex all-stop mode
4604
4605 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4606 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4607 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4608 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4609 underfoot.
4610
4611 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4612 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4613 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4614
4615 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4616 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4617 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4618 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4619 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4620 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4621 stops.
4622
4623 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4624 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4625 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4626 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4627
4628 @cindex automatic thread selection
4629 @cindex switching threads automatically
4630 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4631 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4632 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4633 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4634 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4635 thread.
4636
4637 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4638 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4639
4640 @table @code
4641 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4642 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4643 @cindex lock scheduler
4644 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4645 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4646 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4647 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4648 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4649 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4650 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4651 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4652 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4653 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4654 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4655 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4656
4657 @item show scheduler-locking
4658 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4659 @end table
4660
4661 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
4662 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
4663 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
4664 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
4665 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
4666 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
4667 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
4668 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
4669 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
4670 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
4671 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
4672 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
4673 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
4674 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
4675
4676 @table @code
4677 @kindex set schedule-multiple
4678 @item set schedule-multiple
4679 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
4680 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
4681 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
4682 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
4683 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
4684 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
4685
4686 @item show schedule-multiple
4687 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
4688 multiple processes.
4689 @end table
4690
4691 @node Non-Stop Mode
4692 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
4693
4694 @cindex non-stop mode
4695
4696 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
4697 @c with more details.
4698
4699 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
4700 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
4701 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
4702 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
4703 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
4704 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
4705
4706 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
4707 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
4708 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
4709 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
4710 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
4711 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
4712 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
4713 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
4714 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
4715 independently and simultaneously.
4716
4717 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
4718 or attach to your program:
4719
4720 @smallexample
4721 # Enable the async interface.
4722 set target-async 1
4723
4724 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
4725 set pagination off
4726
4727 # Finally, turn it on!
4728 set non-stop on
4729 @end smallexample
4730
4731 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
4732
4733 @table @code
4734 @kindex set non-stop
4735 @item set non-stop on
4736 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
4737 @item set non-stop off
4738 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
4739 @kindex show non-stop
4740 @item show non-stop
4741 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
4742 @end table
4743
4744 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
4745 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
4746 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
4747 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
4748 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
4749 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
4750 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
4751 default.
4752
4753 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
4754 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
4755 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
4756
4757 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
4758 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
4759 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
4760 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
4761 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
4762
4763 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
4764 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
4765 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
4766 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
4767 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
4768
4769 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
4770
4771 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
4772 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
4773 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
4774 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
4775 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
4776 previously current thread.
4777
4778 @node Background Execution
4779 @subsection Background Execution
4780
4781 @cindex foreground execution
4782 @cindex background execution
4783 @cindex asynchronous execution
4784 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
4785
4786 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
4787 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
4788 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
4789 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
4790 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
4791 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
4792
4793 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
4794 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
4795 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
4796
4797 @table @code
4798 @kindex set target-async
4799 @item set target-async on
4800 Enable asynchronous mode.
4801 @item set target-async off
4802 Disable asynchronous mode.
4803 @kindex show target-async
4804 @item show target-async
4805 Show the current target-async setting.
4806 @end table
4807
4808 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
4809 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
4810
4811 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
4812 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
4813 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
4814 are:
4815
4816 @table @code
4817 @kindex run&
4818 @item run
4819 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
4820
4821 @item attach
4822 @kindex attach&
4823 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
4824
4825 @item step
4826 @kindex step&
4827 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
4828
4829 @item stepi
4830 @kindex stepi&
4831 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
4832
4833 @item next
4834 @kindex next&
4835 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
4836
4837 @item nexti
4838 @kindex nexti&
4839 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
4840
4841 @item continue
4842 @kindex continue&
4843 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
4844
4845 @item finish
4846 @kindex finish&
4847 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
4848
4849 @item until
4850 @kindex until&
4851 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
4852
4853 @end table
4854
4855 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
4856 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
4857 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
4858 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
4859 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
4860 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
4861
4862 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
4863 using the @code{interrupt} command.
4864
4865 @table @code
4866 @kindex interrupt
4867 @item interrupt
4868 @itemx interrupt -a
4869
4870 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
4871 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
4872 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
4873 use @code{interrupt -a}.
4874 @end table
4875
4876 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
4877 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
4878
4879 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
4880 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
4881 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
4882
4883 @table @code
4884 @cindex breakpoints and threads
4885 @cindex thread breakpoints
4886 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
4887 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
4888 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
4889 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
4890 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
4891 specify some source line.
4892
4893 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
4894 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
4895 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
4896 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
4897 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
4898
4899 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
4900 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
4901 program.
4902
4903 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
4904 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
4905 breakpoint condition, like this:
4906
4907 @smallexample
4908 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
4909 @end smallexample
4910
4911 @end table
4912
4913 @node Interrupted System Calls
4914 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
4915
4916 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
4917 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
4918 @cindex premature return from system calls
4919 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
4920 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
4921 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
4922 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
4923 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
4924 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
4925 stop execution.
4926
4927 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
4928 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
4929 style anyways.
4930
4931 For example, do not write code like this:
4932
4933 @smallexample
4934 sleep (10);
4935 @end smallexample
4936
4937 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
4938 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
4939
4940 Instead, write this:
4941
4942 @smallexample
4943 int unslept = 10;
4944 while (unslept > 0)
4945 unslept = sleep (unslept);
4946 @end smallexample
4947
4948 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
4949 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
4950 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
4951 @value{GDBN}.
4952
4953 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
4954 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
4955 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
4956 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
4957
4958
4959 @node Reverse Execution
4960 @chapter Running programs backward
4961 @cindex reverse execution
4962 @cindex running programs backward
4963
4964 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
4965 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
4966 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
4967 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
4968
4969 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
4970 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
4971 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
4972 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
4973 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
4974 all target environments can support reverse execution.
4975
4976 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
4977 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
4978 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
4979 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
4980 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
4981 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
4982 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
4983 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
4984 prior values@footnote{
4985 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
4986 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
4987 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
4988
4989 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
4990 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
4991 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
4992 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
4993 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
4994 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
4995 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
4996 }.
4997
4998 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
4999 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5000
5001 @table @code
5002 @kindex reverse-continue
5003 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5004 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5005 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5006 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5007 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5008 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5009 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5010
5011 @kindex reverse-step
5012 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5013 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5014 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5015 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5016
5017 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5018 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5019 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5020 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5021 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5022 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5023
5024 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5025 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5026
5027 @kindex reverse-stepi
5028 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5029 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5030 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5031 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5032 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5033 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5034 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5035
5036 @kindex reverse-next
5037 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5038 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5039 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5040 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5041 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5042 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5043 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5044 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5045 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5046 @footnote{Unles the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5047
5048 @kindex reverse-nexti
5049 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5050 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5051 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5052 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5053 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5054 another instruction, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5055 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5056 frame) is reached.
5057
5058 @kindex reverse-finish
5059 @item reverse-finish
5060 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5061 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5062 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5063 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5064
5065 @kindex set exec-direction
5066 @item set exec-direction
5067 Set the direction of target execution.
5068 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5069 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5070 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5071 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5072 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5073 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5074 @item set exec-direction forward
5075 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5076 This is the default.
5077 @end table
5078
5079
5080 @node Process Record and Replay
5081 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5082 @cindex process record and replay
5083 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5084
5085 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5086 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5087 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5088
5089 @cindex replay mode
5090 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5091 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5092 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5093 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5094 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5095 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5096 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5097 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5098 execution log.
5099
5100 @cindex record mode
5101 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5102 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5103 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5104 for future replay.
5105
5106 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5107 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5108 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5109 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5110 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5111 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5112
5113 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5114 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5115 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5116 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5117
5118 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5119 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5120
5121 @table @code
5122 @kindex target record
5123 @kindex record
5124 @kindex rec
5125 @item target record
5126 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5127 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5128 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5129 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5130 the @kbd{target record} command.
5131
5132 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5133
5134 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5135 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5136 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5137 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5138 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5139
5140 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5141 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5142 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5143 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5144 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5145 support these two modes.
5146
5147 @kindex record stop
5148 @kindex rec s
5149 @item record stop
5150 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5151 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5152 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5153
5154 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5155 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5156 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5157 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5158 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5159
5160 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5161 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5162 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5163 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5164 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5165
5166 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5167 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5168
5169 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5170 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5171 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5172
5173 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5174 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5175 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5176 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5177 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5178 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5179 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5180 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5181
5182 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5183 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5184 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5185
5186 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5187 @item show record insn-number-max
5188 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5189
5190 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5191 @item set record stop-at-limit
5192 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5193 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5194 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5195 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5196 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5197 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5198
5199 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5200 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5201
5202 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5203 @item show record stop-at-limit
5204 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5205
5206 @kindex info record insn-number
5207 @item info record insn-number
5208 Show the current number of recorded instructions.
5209
5210 @kindex record delete
5211 @kindex rec del
5212 @item record delete
5213 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5214 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5215 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5216 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5217 @end table
5218
5219
5220 @node Stack
5221 @chapter Examining the Stack
5222
5223 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5224 stopped and how it got there.
5225
5226 @cindex call stack
5227 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5228 is generated.
5229 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5230 the arguments of the call,
5231 and the local variables of the function being called.
5232 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5233 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5234 stack}.
5235
5236 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5237 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5238
5239 @cindex selected frame
5240 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5241 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5242 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5243 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5244 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5245 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5246
5247 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5248 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5249 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5250
5251 @menu
5252 * Frames:: Stack frames
5253 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5254 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5255 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5256
5257 @end menu
5258
5259 @node Frames
5260 @section Stack Frames
5261
5262 @cindex frame, definition
5263 @cindex stack frame
5264 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5265 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5266 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5267 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5268 which the function is executing.
5269
5270 @cindex initial frame
5271 @cindex outermost frame
5272 @cindex innermost frame
5273 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5274 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5275 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5276 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5277 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5278 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5279 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5280 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5281
5282 @cindex frame pointer
5283 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5284 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5285 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5286 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5287 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5288 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5289
5290 @cindex frame number
5291 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5292 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5293 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5294 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5295 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5296
5297 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5298 @c underflow problems.
5299 @cindex frameless execution
5300 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5301 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5302 @smallexample
5303 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5304 @end smallexample
5305 generates functions without a frame.)
5306 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5307 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5308 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5309 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5310 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5311 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5312 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5313
5314 @table @code
5315 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5316 @cindex current stack frame
5317 @item frame @var{args}
5318 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5319 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5320 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5321 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5322
5323 @kindex select-frame
5324 @cindex selecting frame silently
5325 @item select-frame
5326 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5327 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5328 @code{frame}.
5329 @end table
5330
5331 @node Backtrace
5332 @section Backtraces
5333
5334 @cindex traceback
5335 @cindex call stack traces
5336 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5337 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5338 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5339 stack.
5340
5341 @table @code
5342 @kindex backtrace
5343 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5344 @item backtrace
5345 @itemx bt
5346 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5347 frames in the stack.
5348
5349 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5350 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5351
5352 @item backtrace @var{n}
5353 @itemx bt @var{n}
5354 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5355
5356 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5357 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5358 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5359
5360 @item backtrace full
5361 @itemx bt full
5362 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5363 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5364 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5365 number of frames to print, as described above.
5366 @end table
5367
5368 @kindex where
5369 @kindex info stack
5370 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5371 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5372
5373 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5374 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5375 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5376 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5377 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5378 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5379 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5380 multi-threaded program.
5381
5382 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5383 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5384 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5385 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5386 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5387 line number.
5388
5389 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5390 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5391
5392 @smallexample
5393 @group
5394 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5395 at builtin.c:993
5396 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5397 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5398 at macro.c:71
5399 (More stack frames follow...)
5400 @end group
5401 @end smallexample
5402
5403 @noindent
5404 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5405 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5406 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5407
5408 @noindent
5409 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5410 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5411 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5412 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5413 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5414
5415 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5416 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5417 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5418 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5419 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5420 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5421 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5422 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5423 such a backtrace might look like:
5424
5425 @smallexample
5426 @group
5427 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5428 at builtin.c:993
5429 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5430 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5431 at macro.c:71
5432 (More stack frames follow...)
5433 @end group
5434 @end smallexample
5435
5436 @noindent
5437 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5438 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5439
5440 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5441 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5442 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5443
5444 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5445 @cindex program entry point
5446 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5447 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5448 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5449 @code{main}@footnote{
5450 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5451 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5452 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5453 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5454 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5455 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5456
5457 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5458 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5459
5460 @table @code
5461 @item set backtrace past-main
5462 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5463 @kindex set backtrace
5464 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5465
5466 @item set backtrace past-main off
5467 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5468 default.
5469
5470 @item show backtrace past-main
5471 @kindex show backtrace
5472 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5473
5474 @item set backtrace past-entry
5475 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5476 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5477 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5478 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5479
5480 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5481 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5482 application. This is the default.
5483
5484 @item show backtrace past-entry
5485 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5486
5487 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5488 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5489 @cindex backtrace limit
5490 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5491 unlimited.
5492
5493 @item show backtrace limit
5494 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5495 @end table
5496
5497 @node Selection
5498 @section Selecting a Frame
5499
5500 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5501 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5502 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5503 of the stack frame just selected.
5504
5505 @table @code
5506 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5507 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5508 @item frame @var{n}
5509 @itemx f @var{n}
5510 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5511 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5512 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5513 @code{main}.
5514
5515 @item frame @var{addr}
5516 @itemx f @var{addr}
5517 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5518 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5519 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5520 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5521 switches between them.
5522
5523 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5524 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5525
5526 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5527 pointer and a program counter.
5528
5529 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5530 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5531
5532 @kindex up
5533 @item up @var{n}
5534 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5535 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5536 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5537
5538 @kindex down
5539 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5540 @item down @var{n}
5541 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5542 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5543 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5544 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5545 @end table
5546
5547 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5548 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5549 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5550 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5551
5552 @need 1000
5553 For example:
5554
5555 @smallexample
5556 @group
5557 (@value{GDBP}) up
5558 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5559 at env.c:10
5560 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5561 @end group
5562 @end smallexample
5563
5564 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5565 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5566 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5567 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5568 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5569 for details.
5570
5571 @table @code
5572 @kindex down-silently
5573 @kindex up-silently
5574 @item up-silently @var{n}
5575 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5576 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5577 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5578 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5579 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5580 distracting.
5581 @end table
5582
5583 @node Frame Info
5584 @section Information About a Frame
5585
5586 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5587 stack frame.
5588
5589 @table @code
5590 @item frame
5591 @itemx f
5592 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5593 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5594 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5595 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5596 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5597
5598 @kindex info frame
5599 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5600 @item info frame
5601 @itemx info f
5602 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5603 including:
5604
5605 @itemize @bullet
5606 @item
5607 the address of the frame
5608 @item
5609 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5610 @item
5611 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5612 @item
5613 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5614 @item
5615 the address of the frame's arguments
5616 @item
5617 the address of the frame's local variables
5618 @item
5619 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5620 @item
5621 which registers were saved in the frame
5622 @end itemize
5623
5624 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5625 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5626 the usual conventions.
5627
5628 @item info frame @var{addr}
5629 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5630 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5631 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5632 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5633 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5634 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5635
5636 @kindex info args
5637 @item info args
5638 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5639
5640 @item info locals
5641 @kindex info locals
5642 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5643 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5644 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5645
5646 @kindex info catch
5647 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5648 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5649 @item info catch
5650 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5651 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5652 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5653 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5654 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5655
5656 @end table
5657
5658
5659 @node Source
5660 @chapter Examining Source Files
5661
5662 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
5663 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
5664 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
5665 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
5666 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
5667 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
5668 source files by explicit command.
5669
5670 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
5671 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
5672 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
5673
5674 @menu
5675 * List:: Printing source lines
5676 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
5677 * Edit:: Editing source files
5678 * Search:: Searching source files
5679 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
5680 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
5681 @end menu
5682
5683 @node List
5684 @section Printing Source Lines
5685
5686 @kindex list
5687 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
5688 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
5689 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
5690 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
5691 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
5692
5693 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
5694
5695 @table @code
5696 @item list @var{linenum}
5697 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
5698 current source file.
5699
5700 @item list @var{function}
5701 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
5702 @var{function}.
5703
5704 @item list
5705 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
5706 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
5707 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
5708 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
5709 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
5710
5711 @item list -
5712 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
5713 @end table
5714
5715 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
5716 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
5717 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
5718
5719 @table @code
5720 @kindex set listsize
5721 @item set listsize @var{count}
5722 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
5723 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
5724
5725 @kindex show listsize
5726 @item show listsize
5727 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
5728 @end table
5729
5730 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
5731 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
5732 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
5733 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
5734 each repetition moves up in the source file.
5735
5736 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
5737 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
5738 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
5739 to specify some source line.
5740
5741 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
5742
5743 @table @code
5744 @item list @var{linespec}
5745 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
5746
5747 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
5748 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
5749 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
5750 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
5751 the same source file as the first linespec.
5752
5753 @item list ,@var{last}
5754 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
5755
5756 @item list @var{first},
5757 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
5758
5759 @item list +
5760 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
5761
5762 @item list -
5763 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
5764
5765 @item list
5766 As described in the preceding table.
5767 @end table
5768
5769 @node Specify Location
5770 @section Specifying a Location
5771 @cindex specifying location
5772 @cindex linespec
5773
5774 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
5775 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
5776 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
5777 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
5778
5779 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
5780 @value{GDBN} understands:
5781
5782 @table @code
5783 @item @var{linenum}
5784 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
5785
5786 @item -@var{offset}
5787 @itemx +@var{offset}
5788 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
5789 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
5790 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
5791 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
5792 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
5793 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
5794 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
5795 linespec.
5796
5797 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
5798 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
5799
5800 @item @var{function}
5801 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
5802 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
5803
5804 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
5805 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
5806 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
5807 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
5808 functions in different source files.
5809
5810 @item *@var{address}
5811 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
5812 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
5813 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
5814 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
5815 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
5816 source files.
5817
5818 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
5819 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
5820 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
5821 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
5822 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
5823 of @var{address}:
5824
5825 @table @code
5826 @item @var{expression}
5827 Any expression valid in the current working language.
5828
5829 @item @var{funcaddr}
5830 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
5831 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
5832 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
5833 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
5834 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
5835 (although the Pascal form also works).
5836
5837 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
5838 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
5839
5840 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
5841 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
5842 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
5843 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
5844 functions with identical names in different source files.
5845 @end table
5846
5847 @end table
5848
5849
5850 @node Edit
5851 @section Editing Source Files
5852 @cindex editing source files
5853
5854 @kindex edit
5855 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
5856 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
5857 The editing program of your choice
5858 is invoked with the current line set to
5859 the active line in the program.
5860 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
5861 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
5862
5863 @table @code
5864 @item edit @var{location}
5865 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
5866 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
5867 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
5868 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
5869 command most commonly used:
5870
5871 @table @code
5872 @item edit @var{number}
5873 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
5874
5875 @item edit @var{function}
5876 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
5877 @end table
5878
5879 @end table
5880
5881 @subsection Choosing your Editor
5882 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
5883 @footnote{
5884 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
5885 following command-line syntax:
5886 @smallexample
5887 ex +@var{number} file
5888 @end smallexample
5889 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
5890 the file where to start editing.}.
5891 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
5892 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
5893 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
5894 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
5895 @smallexample
5896 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
5897 export EDITOR
5898 gdb @dots{}
5899 @end smallexample
5900 or in the @code{csh} shell,
5901 @smallexample
5902 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
5903 gdb @dots{}
5904 @end smallexample
5905
5906 @node Search
5907 @section Searching Source Files
5908 @cindex searching source files
5909
5910 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
5911 regular expression.
5912
5913 @table @code
5914 @kindex search
5915 @kindex forward-search
5916 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
5917 @itemx search @var{regexp}
5918 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
5919 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
5920 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
5921 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
5922 @code{fo}.
5923
5924 @kindex reverse-search
5925 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
5926 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
5927 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
5928 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
5929 this command as @code{rev}.
5930 @end table
5931
5932 @node Source Path
5933 @section Specifying Source Directories
5934
5935 @cindex source path
5936 @cindex directories for source files
5937 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
5938 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
5939 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
5940 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
5941 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
5942 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
5943 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
5944
5945 For example, suppose an executable references the file
5946 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
5947 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
5948 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
5949 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
5950 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
5951 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
5952 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
5953 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
5954 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
5955 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
5956
5957 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
5958 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
5959 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
5960 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
5961 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
5962 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
5963
5964 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
5965 source files.
5966
5967 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
5968 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
5969 each line is in the file.
5970
5971 @kindex directory
5972 @kindex dir
5973 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
5974 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
5975 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
5976
5977 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
5978 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
5979
5980 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
5981 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
5982 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
5983 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
5984 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
5985 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
5986 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
5987 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
5988 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
5989 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
5990 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
5991 name to look up the sources.
5992
5993 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
5994 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
5995 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
5996 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
5997 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
5998 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
5999 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6000 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6001
6002 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6003 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6004 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6005 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6006 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6007 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6008 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6009
6010 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6011 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6012 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6013 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6014 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6015 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6016 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6017 command.
6018
6019 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6020 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6021 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6022 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6023 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6024 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6025 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6026
6027 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6028 @cindex default source path substitution
6029 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6030 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6031 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6032 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6033 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6034 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6035 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6036 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6037 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6038 together.
6039
6040 @table @code
6041 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6042 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6043 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6044 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6045 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6046 part of absolute file names) or
6047 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6048 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6049
6050 @kindex cdir
6051 @kindex cwd
6052 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6053 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6054 @cindex compilation directory
6055 @cindex current directory
6056 @cindex working directory
6057 @cindex directory, current
6058 @cindex directory, compilation
6059 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6060 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6061 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6062 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6063 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6064 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6065
6066 @item directory
6067 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6068
6069 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6070 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6071
6072 @item show directories
6073 @kindex show directories
6074 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6075
6076 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6077 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6078 @kindex set substitute-path
6079 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6080 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6081 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6082
6083 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6084 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6085
6086 @smallexample
6087 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6088 @end smallexample
6089
6090 @noindent
6091 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6092 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6093 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6094
6095 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6096 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6097 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6098 the substitution.
6099
6100 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6101
6102 @smallexample
6103 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6104 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6105 @end smallexample
6106
6107 @noindent
6108 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6109 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6110 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6111 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6112
6113
6114 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6115 @kindex unset substitute-path
6116 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6117 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6118 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6119
6120 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6121
6122 @item show substitute-path [path]
6123 @kindex show substitute-path
6124 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6125 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6126
6127 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6128 rules.
6129
6130 @end table
6131
6132 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6133 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6134 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6135
6136 @enumerate
6137 @item
6138 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6139
6140 @item
6141 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6142 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6143 directories in one command.
6144 @end enumerate
6145
6146 @node Machine Code
6147 @section Source and Machine Code
6148 @cindex source line and its code address
6149
6150 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6151 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6152 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6153 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6154 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6155 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6156 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6157 well as hex.
6158
6159 @table @code
6160 @kindex info line
6161 @item info line @var{linespec}
6162 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6163 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6164 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6165 @end table
6166
6167 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6168 the object code for the first line of function
6169 @code{m4_changequote}:
6170
6171 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6172 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6173 @smallexample
6174 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6175 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6176 @end smallexample
6177
6178 @noindent
6179 @cindex code address and its source line
6180 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6181 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6182 @smallexample
6183 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6184 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6185 @end smallexample
6186
6187 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6188 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6189 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6190 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6191 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6192 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6193 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6194 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6195 Variables}).
6196
6197 @table @code
6198 @kindex disassemble
6199 @cindex assembly instructions
6200 @cindex instructions, assembly
6201 @cindex machine instructions
6202 @cindex listing machine instructions
6203 @item disassemble
6204 @itemx disassemble /m
6205 @itemx disassemble /r
6206 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6207 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6208 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6209 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6210 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6211 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6212 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6213 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
6214 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
6215 @end table
6216
6217 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6218 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6219
6220 @smallexample
6221 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
6222 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6223 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6224 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6225 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6226 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6227 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6228 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6229 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6230 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6231 End of assembler dump.
6232 @end smallexample
6233
6234 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86:
6235
6236 @smallexample
6237 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6238 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6239 5 @{
6240 0x08048330 <main+0>: push %ebp
6241 0x08048331 <main+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6242 0x08048333 <main+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6243 0x08048336 <main+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6244 0x08048339 <main+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6245
6246 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6247 0x0804833c <main+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6248 0x08048343 <main+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6249
6250 7 return 0;
6251 8 @}
6252 0x08048348 <main+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6253 0x0804834d <main+29>: leave
6254 0x0804834e <main+30>: ret
6255
6256 End of assembler dump.
6257 @end smallexample
6258
6259 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6260 mnemonics or other syntax.
6261
6262 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6263 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6264 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6265 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6266 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6267
6268 @table @code
6269 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6270 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6271 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6272 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6273 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6274 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6275
6276 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6277 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6278 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6279 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6280
6281 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6282 @item show disassembly-flavor
6283 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6284 @end table
6285
6286 @table @code
6287 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6288 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6289 @item set disassemble-next-line
6290 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6291 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6292 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6293 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6294 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6295 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6296 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6297 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6298 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6299 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6300 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6301 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6302 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6303 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6304 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6305 instruction.
6306 @end table
6307
6308
6309 @node Data
6310 @chapter Examining Data
6311
6312 @cindex printing data
6313 @cindex examining data
6314 @kindex print
6315 @kindex inspect
6316 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6317 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6318 @c different window or something like that.
6319 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6320 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6321 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6322 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6323 Different Languages}).
6324
6325 @table @code
6326 @item print @var{expr}
6327 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6328 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6329 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6330 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6331 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6332 Formats}.
6333
6334 @item print
6335 @itemx print /@var{f}
6336 @cindex reprint the last value
6337 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6338 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6339 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6340 @end table
6341
6342 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6343 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6344 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6345
6346 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6347 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6348 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6349 Table}.
6350
6351 @menu
6352 * Expressions:: Expressions
6353 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6354 * Variables:: Program variables
6355 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6356 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6357 * Memory:: Examining memory
6358 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6359 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6360 * Value History:: Value history
6361 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6362 * Registers:: Registers
6363 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6364 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6365 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6366 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6367 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6368 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6369 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6370 character set than GDB does
6371 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6372 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6373 @end menu
6374
6375 @node Expressions
6376 @section Expressions
6377
6378 @cindex expressions
6379 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6380 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6381 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6382 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6383 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6384 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6385 @ref{Compilation}.
6386
6387 @cindex arrays in expressions
6388 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6389 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6390 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6391 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6392 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6393 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6394
6395 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6396 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6397 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6398 languages.
6399
6400 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6401 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6402
6403 @cindex casts, in expressions
6404 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6405 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6406 at that address in memory.
6407 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6408
6409 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6410 to programming languages:
6411
6412 @table @code
6413 @item @@
6414 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6415 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6416
6417 @item ::
6418 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6419 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6420
6421 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6422 @cindex type casting memory
6423 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6424 @cindex casts, to view memory
6425 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6426 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6427 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6428 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6429 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6430 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6431 @end table
6432
6433 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6434 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6435 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6436
6437 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6438 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6439 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6440 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6441 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6442 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6443 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6444
6445 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6446 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6447 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6448 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6449 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6450 as well.
6451
6452 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6453 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6454 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6455 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6456 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6457 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6458 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6459 choices.
6460
6461 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6462 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6463 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6464
6465 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6466 @smallexample
6467 @group
6468 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6469 [0] cancel
6470 [1] all
6471 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6472 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6473 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6474 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6475 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6476 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6477 > 2 4 6
6478 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6479 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6480 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6481 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6482 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6483 breakpoints.
6484 (@value{GDBP})
6485 @end group
6486 @end smallexample
6487
6488 @table @code
6489 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6490 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6491 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6492
6493 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6494 is ambiguous.
6495
6496 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6497 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6498 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6499 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6500 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6501 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6502 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6503 in the use of the menu.
6504
6505 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6506 when an ambiguity is detected.
6507
6508 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6509 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6510
6511 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6512 @item show multiple-symbols
6513 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6514 @end table
6515
6516 @node Variables
6517 @section Program Variables
6518
6519 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6520 in your program.
6521
6522 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6523 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6524
6525 @itemize @bullet
6526 @item
6527 global (or file-static)
6528 @end itemize
6529
6530 @noindent or
6531
6532 @itemize @bullet
6533 @item
6534 visible according to the scope rules of the
6535 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6536 @end itemize
6537
6538 @noindent This means that in the function
6539
6540 @smallexample
6541 foo (a)
6542 int a;
6543 @{
6544 bar (a);
6545 @{
6546 int b = test ();
6547 bar (b);
6548 @}
6549 @}
6550 @end smallexample
6551
6552 @noindent
6553 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6554 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6555 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6556 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6557
6558 @cindex variable name conflict
6559 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6560 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6561 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6562 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6563 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6564 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6565 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6566
6567 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6568 @ifnotinfo
6569 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6570 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6571 @end ifnotinfo
6572 @smallexample
6573 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6574 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6575 @end smallexample
6576
6577 @noindent
6578 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6579 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6580 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6581 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6582
6583 @smallexample
6584 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6585 @end smallexample
6586
6587 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6588 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6589 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6590 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6591 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6592 @c conflict?? --mew
6593
6594 @cindex wrong values
6595 @cindex variable values, wrong
6596 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6597 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6598 @quotation
6599 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6600 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6601 scope, and just before exit.
6602 @end quotation
6603 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6604 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6605 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6606 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6607 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6608 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6609 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6610 variable definitions may be gone.
6611
6612 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6613 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6614 when compiling.
6615
6616 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6617 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6618 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6619 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6620 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6621 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6622 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6623
6624 @smallexample
6625 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6626 @end smallexample
6627
6628 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6629 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6630 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6631 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6632 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6633 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6634 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6635 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6636 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6637 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6638 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6639
6640 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6641 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6642 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6643 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6644
6645 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6646 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6647 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6648 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6649 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6650 For program code
6651
6652 @smallexample
6653 char var0[] = "A";
6654 signed char var1[] = "A";
6655 @end smallexample
6656
6657 You get during debugging
6658 @smallexample
6659 (gdb) print var0
6660 $1 = "A"
6661 (gdb) print var1
6662 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
6663 @end smallexample
6664
6665 @node Arrays
6666 @section Artificial Arrays
6667
6668 @cindex artificial array
6669 @cindex arrays
6670 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
6671 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
6672 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
6673 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
6674 program.
6675
6676 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
6677 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
6678 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
6679 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
6680 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
6681 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
6682 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
6683 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
6684 example. If a program says
6685
6686 @smallexample
6687 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
6688 @end smallexample
6689
6690 @noindent
6691 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
6692
6693 @smallexample
6694 p *array@@len
6695 @end smallexample
6696
6697 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
6698 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
6699 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
6700 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
6701 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
6702
6703 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
6704 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
6705 The value need not be in memory:
6706 @smallexample
6707 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
6708 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
6709 @end smallexample
6710
6711 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
6712 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
6713 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
6714 @smallexample
6715 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
6716 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
6717 @end smallexample
6718
6719 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
6720 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
6721 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
6722 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
6723 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6724 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
6725 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
6726 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
6727 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
6728 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
6729
6730 @smallexample
6731 set $i = 0
6732 p dtab[$i++]->fv
6733 @key{RET}
6734 @key{RET}
6735 @dots{}
6736 @end smallexample
6737
6738 @node Output Formats
6739 @section Output Formats
6740
6741 @cindex formatted output
6742 @cindex output formats
6743 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
6744 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
6745 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
6746 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
6747 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
6748
6749 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
6750 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
6751 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
6752 letters supported are:
6753
6754 @table @code
6755 @item x
6756 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
6757 hexadecimal.
6758
6759 @item d
6760 Print as integer in signed decimal.
6761
6762 @item u
6763 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
6764
6765 @item o
6766 Print as integer in octal.
6767
6768 @item t
6769 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
6770 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
6771 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
6772 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
6773
6774 @item a
6775 @cindex unknown address, locating
6776 @cindex locate address
6777 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
6778 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
6779 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
6780
6781 @smallexample
6782 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
6783 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
6784 @end smallexample
6785
6786 @noindent
6787 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
6788 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
6789
6790 @item c
6791 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
6792 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
6793 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
6794 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
6795
6796 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
6797 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
6798 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
6799 data.
6800
6801 @item f
6802 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
6803 using typical floating point syntax.
6804
6805 @item s
6806 @cindex printing strings
6807 @cindex printing byte arrays
6808 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
6809 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
6810 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
6811 natural types.
6812
6813 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
6814 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
6815 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
6816 array.
6817
6818 @item r
6819 @cindex raw printing
6820 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
6821 use a type-specific pretty-printer. The @samp{r} format bypasses any
6822 pretty-printer which might exist for the value's type.
6823 @end table
6824
6825 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
6826
6827 @smallexample
6828 p/x $pc
6829 @end smallexample
6830
6831 @noindent
6832 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
6833 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
6834
6835 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
6836 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
6837 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
6838
6839 @node Memory
6840 @section Examining Memory
6841
6842 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
6843 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
6844
6845 @cindex examining memory
6846 @table @code
6847 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
6848 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
6849 @itemx x @var{addr}
6850 @itemx x
6851 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
6852 @end table
6853
6854 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
6855 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
6856 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
6857 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
6858 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
6859
6860 @table @r
6861 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
6862 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
6863 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
6864 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
6865 @c 4.1.2.
6866
6867 @item @var{f}, the display format
6868 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
6869 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
6870 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
6871 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
6872 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
6873
6874 @item @var{u}, the unit size
6875 The unit size is any of
6876
6877 @table @code
6878 @item b
6879 Bytes.
6880 @item h
6881 Halfwords (two bytes).
6882 @item w
6883 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
6884 @item g
6885 Giant words (eight bytes).
6886 @end table
6887
6888 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
6889 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
6890 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
6891
6892 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
6893 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
6894 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
6895 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
6896 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
6897 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
6898 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
6899 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
6900 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
6901 a value from memory).
6902 @end table
6903
6904 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
6905 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
6906 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
6907 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
6908 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
6909
6910 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
6911 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
6912 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
6913 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
6914 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
6915
6916 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
6917 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
6918 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
6919 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
6920 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
6921 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
6922 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
6923 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
6924 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
6925
6926 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
6927 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
6928 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
6929 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
6930 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
6931 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
6932 for successive uses of @code{x}.
6933
6934 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
6935 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
6936 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
6937 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
6938 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
6939 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
6940 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
6941 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
6942 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
6943
6944 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
6945 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
6946 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
6947
6948 @cindex remote memory comparison
6949 @cindex verify remote memory image
6950 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
6951 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
6952 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
6953 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
6954 situations.
6955
6956 @table @code
6957 @kindex compare-sections
6958 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
6959 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
6960 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
6961 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
6962 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
6963 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
6964 remote request.
6965 @end table
6966
6967 @node Auto Display
6968 @section Automatic Display
6969 @cindex automatic display
6970 @cindex display of expressions
6971
6972 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
6973 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
6974 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
6975 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
6976 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
6977 The automatic display looks like this:
6978
6979 @smallexample
6980 2: foo = 38
6981 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
6982 @end smallexample
6983
6984 @noindent
6985 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
6986 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
6987 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
6988 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
6989 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
6990 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
6991
6992 @table @code
6993 @kindex display
6994 @item display @var{expr}
6995 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
6996 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
6997
6998 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
6999
7000 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7001 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7002 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7003 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7004 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7005
7006 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7007 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7008 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7009 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7010 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7011 @end table
7012
7013 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7014 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7015 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7016
7017 @table @code
7018 @kindex delete display
7019 @kindex undisplay
7020 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7021 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7022 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7023
7024 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7025 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7026
7027 @kindex disable display
7028 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7029 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7030 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7031 enabled again later.
7032
7033 @kindex enable display
7034 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7035 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7036 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7037
7038 @item display
7039 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7040 done when your program stops.
7041
7042 @kindex info display
7043 @item info display
7044 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7045 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7046 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7047 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7048 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7049 @end table
7050
7051 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7052 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7053 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7054 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7055 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7056 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7057 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7058 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7059 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7060 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7061 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7062
7063 @node Print Settings
7064 @section Print Settings
7065
7066 @cindex format options
7067 @cindex print settings
7068 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7069 and symbols are printed.
7070
7071 @noindent
7072 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7073
7074 @table @code
7075 @kindex set print
7076 @item set print address
7077 @itemx set print address on
7078 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7079 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7080 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7081 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7082 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7083 @code{set print address on}:
7084
7085 @smallexample
7086 @group
7087 (@value{GDBP}) f
7088 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7089 at input.c:530
7090 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7091 @end group
7092 @end smallexample
7093
7094 @item set print address off
7095 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7096 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7097
7098 @smallexample
7099 @group
7100 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7101 (@value{GDBP}) f
7102 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7103 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7104 @end group
7105 @end smallexample
7106
7107 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7108 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7109 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7110 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7111
7112 @kindex show print
7113 @item show print address
7114 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7115 @end table
7116
7117 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7118 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7119 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7120 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7121 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7122 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7123 it prints a symbolic address:
7124
7125 @table @code
7126 @item set print symbol-filename on
7127 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7128 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7129 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7130 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7131
7132 @item set print symbol-filename off
7133 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7134 default.
7135
7136 @item show print symbol-filename
7137 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7138 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7139 @end table
7140
7141 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7142 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7143 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7144
7145 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7146 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7147
7148 @table @code
7149 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7150 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7151 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7152 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7153 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7154 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7155
7156 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7157 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7158 symbolic address.
7159 @end table
7160
7161 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7162 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7163 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7164 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7165 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7166 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7167 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7168 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7169
7170 @smallexample
7171 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7172 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7173 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7174 @end smallexample
7175
7176 @quotation
7177 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7178 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7179 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7180 @end quotation
7181
7182 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7183
7184 @table @code
7185 @item set print array
7186 @itemx set print array on
7187 @cindex pretty print arrays
7188 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7189 but uses more space. The default is off.
7190
7191 @item set print array off
7192 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7193
7194 @item show print array
7195 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7196 arrays.
7197
7198 @cindex print array indexes
7199 @item set print array-indexes
7200 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7201 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7202 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7203 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7204
7205 @item set print array-indexes off
7206 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7207
7208 @item show print array-indexes
7209 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7210 arrays.
7211
7212 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7213 @cindex number of array elements to print
7214 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7215 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7216 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7217 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7218 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7219 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7220 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7221
7222 @item show print elements
7223 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7224 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7225
7226 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7227 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7228 @cindex printing frame argument values
7229 @cindex print all frame argument values
7230 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7231 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7232 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7233 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7234 values are:
7235
7236 @table @code
7237 @item all
7238 The values of all arguments are printed.
7239
7240 @item scalars
7241 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7242 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7243 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7244 only scalar arguments are shown:
7245
7246 @smallexample
7247 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7248 at frame-args.c:23
7249 @end smallexample
7250
7251 @item none
7252 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7253 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7254
7255 @smallexample
7256 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7257 at frame-args.c:23
7258 @end smallexample
7259 @end table
7260
7261 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7262 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7263 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7264 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7265 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7266 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7267 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7268 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7269 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7270 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7271
7272 @item show print frame-arguments
7273 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7274
7275 @item set print repeats
7276 @cindex repeated array elements
7277 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7278 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7279 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7280 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7281 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7282 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7283 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7284
7285 @item show print repeats
7286 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7287 elements.
7288
7289 @item set print null-stop
7290 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7291 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7292 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7293 contain only short strings.
7294 The default is off.
7295
7296 @item show print null-stop
7297 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7298 @sc{null} character.
7299
7300 @item set print pretty on
7301 @cindex print structures in indented form
7302 @cindex indentation in structure display
7303 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7304 per line, like this:
7305
7306 @smallexample
7307 @group
7308 $1 = @{
7309 next = 0x0,
7310 flags = @{
7311 sweet = 1,
7312 sour = 1
7313 @},
7314 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7315 @}
7316 @end group
7317 @end smallexample
7318
7319 @item set print pretty off
7320 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7321
7322 @smallexample
7323 @group
7324 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7325 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7326 @end group
7327 @end smallexample
7328
7329 @noindent
7330 This is the default format.
7331
7332 @item show print pretty
7333 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7334
7335 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7336 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7337 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7338 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7339 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7340 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7341 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7342 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7343
7344 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7345 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7346 international character sets, and is the default.
7347
7348 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7349 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7350
7351 @item set print union on
7352 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7353 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7354 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7355
7356 @item set print union off
7357 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7358 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7359 instead.
7360
7361 @item show print union
7362 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7363 structures and other unions.
7364
7365 For example, given the declarations
7366
7367 @smallexample
7368 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7369 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7370 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7371 Bug_forms;
7372
7373 struct thing @{
7374 Species it;
7375 union @{
7376 Tree_forms tree;
7377 Bug_forms bug;
7378 @} form;
7379 @};
7380
7381 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7382 @end smallexample
7383
7384 @noindent
7385 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7386
7387 @smallexample
7388 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7389 @end smallexample
7390
7391 @noindent
7392 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7393
7394 @smallexample
7395 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7396 @end smallexample
7397
7398 @noindent
7399 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7400 and in Pascal.
7401 @end table
7402
7403 @need 1000
7404 @noindent
7405 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7406
7407 @table @code
7408 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7409 @item set print demangle
7410 @itemx set print demangle on
7411 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7412 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7413 linkage. The default is on.
7414
7415 @item show print demangle
7416 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7417
7418 @item set print asm-demangle
7419 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7420 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7421 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7422 The default is off.
7423
7424 @item show print asm-demangle
7425 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7426 or demangled form.
7427
7428 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7429 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7430 @kindex set demangle-style
7431 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7432 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7433 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7434
7435 @table @code
7436 @item auto
7437 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7438
7439 @item gnu
7440 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7441 This is the default.
7442
7443 @item hp
7444 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7445
7446 @item lucid
7447 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7448
7449 @item arm
7450 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7451 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7452 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7453 require further enhancement to permit that.
7454
7455 @end table
7456 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7457
7458 @item show demangle-style
7459 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7460
7461 @item set print object
7462 @itemx set print object on
7463 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7464 @cindex display derived types
7465 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7466 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7467 the virtual function table.
7468
7469 @item set print object off
7470 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7471 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7472
7473 @item show print object
7474 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7475
7476 @item set print static-members
7477 @itemx set print static-members on
7478 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7479 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7480
7481 @item set print static-members off
7482 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7483
7484 @item show print static-members
7485 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7486
7487 @item set print pascal_static-members
7488 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7489 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7490 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7491 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7492
7493 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7494 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7495
7496 @item show print pascal_static-members
7497 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7498
7499 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7500 @item set print vtbl
7501 @itemx set print vtbl on
7502 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7503 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7504 @cindex VTBL display
7505 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7506 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7507 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7508
7509 @item set print vtbl off
7510 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7511
7512 @item show print vtbl
7513 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7514 @end table
7515
7516 @node Value History
7517 @section Value History
7518
7519 @cindex value history
7520 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7521 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7522 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7523 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7524 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7525 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7526 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7527 symbol table.
7528
7529 @cindex @code{$}
7530 @cindex @code{$$}
7531 @cindex history number
7532 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7533 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7534 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7535 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7536 history number.
7537
7538 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7539 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7540 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7541 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7542 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7543 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7544 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7545
7546 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7547 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7548
7549 @smallexample
7550 p *$
7551 @end smallexample
7552
7553 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7554 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7555
7556 @smallexample
7557 p *$.next
7558 @end smallexample
7559
7560 @noindent
7561 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7562 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7563
7564 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7565 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7566
7567 @smallexample
7568 print x
7569 set x=5
7570 @end smallexample
7571
7572 @noindent
7573 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7574 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7575
7576 @table @code
7577 @kindex show values
7578 @item show values
7579 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7580 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7581 values} does not change the history.
7582
7583 @item show values @var{n}
7584 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7585
7586 @item show values +
7587 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7588 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7589 @end table
7590
7591 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7592 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7593
7594 @node Convenience Vars
7595 @section Convenience Variables
7596
7597 @cindex convenience variables
7598 @cindex user-defined variables
7599 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7600 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7601 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7602 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7603 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7604
7605 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7606 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7607 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7608 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7609 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7610
7611 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7612 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7613 For example:
7614
7615 @smallexample
7616 set $foo = *object_ptr
7617 @end smallexample
7618
7619 @noindent
7620 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7621 @code{object_ptr}.
7622
7623 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7624 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7625 value with another assignment at any time.
7626
7627 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7628 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7629 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7630 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7631
7632 @table @code
7633 @kindex show convenience
7634 @cindex show all user variables
7635 @item show convenience
7636 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7637 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
7638
7639 @kindex init-if-undefined
7640 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
7641 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
7642 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
7643 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
7644 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
7645 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
7646 override default values used in a command script.
7647
7648 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
7649 any side-effects do not occur.
7650 @end table
7651
7652 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
7653 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
7654 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
7655
7656 @smallexample
7657 set $i = 0
7658 print bar[$i++]->contents
7659 @end smallexample
7660
7661 @noindent
7662 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
7663
7664 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
7665 values likely to be useful.
7666
7667 @table @code
7668 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
7669 @item $_
7670 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
7671 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
7672 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
7673 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
7674 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
7675 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
7676 to the type of @code{$__}.
7677
7678 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
7679 @item $__
7680 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
7681 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
7682 to match the format in which the data was printed.
7683
7684 @item $_exitcode
7685 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
7686 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
7687 the program being debugged terminates.
7688
7689 @item $_siginfo
7690 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
7691 The variable @code{$_siginfo} is bound to extra signal information
7692 inspection (@pxref{extra signal information}).
7693 @end table
7694
7695 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
7696 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
7697 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
7698
7699 @cindex convenience functions
7700 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
7701 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
7702 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
7703 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
7704 @value{GDBN}.
7705
7706 @table @code
7707 @item help function
7708 @kindex help function
7709 @cindex show all convenience functions
7710 Print a list of all convenience functions.
7711 @end table
7712
7713 @node Registers
7714 @section Registers
7715
7716 @cindex registers
7717 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
7718 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
7719 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
7720 your machine.
7721
7722 @table @code
7723 @kindex info registers
7724 @item info registers
7725 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
7726 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
7727
7728 @kindex info all-registers
7729 @cindex floating point registers
7730 @item info all-registers
7731 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
7732 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
7733
7734 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
7735 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
7736 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
7737 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
7738 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
7739 @end table
7740
7741 @cindex stack pointer register
7742 @cindex program counter register
7743 @cindex process status register
7744 @cindex frame pointer register
7745 @cindex standard registers
7746 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
7747 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
7748 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
7749 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
7750 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
7751 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
7752 register that contains the processor status. For example,
7753 you could print the program counter in hex with
7754
7755 @smallexample
7756 p/x $pc
7757 @end smallexample
7758
7759 @noindent
7760 or print the instruction to be executed next with
7761
7762 @smallexample
7763 x/i $pc
7764 @end smallexample
7765
7766 @noindent
7767 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
7768 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
7769 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
7770 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
7771 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
7772 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
7773 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
7774
7775 @smallexample
7776 set $sp += 4
7777 @end smallexample
7778
7779 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
7780 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
7781 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
7782 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
7783 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
7784 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
7785 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
7786
7787 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
7788 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
7789 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
7790 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
7791 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
7792 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
7793 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
7794
7795 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
7796 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
7797 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
7798 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
7799 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
7800 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
7801 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
7802 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
7803 prints the data in both formats.
7804
7805 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
7806 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
7807 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
7808 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
7809 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
7810 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
7811 registers in @code{struct} notation:
7812
7813 @smallexample
7814 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
7815 $1 = @{
7816 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
7817 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
7818 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
7819 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
7820 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
7821 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
7822 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
7823 @}
7824 @end smallexample
7825
7826 @noindent
7827 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
7828 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
7829 value to a @code{struct} member:
7830
7831 @smallexample
7832 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
7833 @end smallexample
7834
7835 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
7836 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
7837 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
7838 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
7839 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
7840 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
7841
7842 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
7843 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
7844 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
7845 frame makes no difference.
7846
7847 @node Floating Point Hardware
7848 @section Floating Point Hardware
7849 @cindex floating point
7850
7851 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
7852 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
7853
7854 @table @code
7855 @kindex info float
7856 @item info float
7857 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
7858 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
7859 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
7860 the ARM and x86 machines.
7861 @end table
7862
7863 @node Vector Unit
7864 @section Vector Unit
7865 @cindex vector unit
7866
7867 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
7868 more information about the status of the vector unit.
7869
7870 @table @code
7871 @kindex info vector
7872 @item info vector
7873 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
7874 layout vary depending on the hardware.
7875 @end table
7876
7877 @node OS Information
7878 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
7879 @cindex OS information
7880
7881 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
7882 you debug your program.
7883
7884 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
7885 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
7886 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
7887 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
7888 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
7889 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
7890 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
7891 structure.
7892
7893 @table @code
7894 @item info udot
7895 @kindex info udot
7896 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
7897 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
7898 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
7899 the @code{examine} command.
7900 @end table
7901
7902 @cindex auxiliary vector
7903 @cindex vector, auxiliary
7904 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
7905 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
7906 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
7907 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
7908 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
7909 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
7910 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
7911 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
7912 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
7913 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
7914 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
7915
7916 @table @code
7917 @kindex info auxv
7918 @item info auxv
7919 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
7920 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
7921 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
7922 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
7923 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
7924 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
7925 an unrecognized tag.
7926 @end table
7927
7928 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
7929 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
7930 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
7931 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
7932
7933 @table @code
7934 @kindex info os processes
7935 @item info os processes
7936 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
7937 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
7938 the command corresponding to the process.
7939 @end table
7940
7941 @node Memory Region Attributes
7942 @section Memory Region Attributes
7943 @cindex memory region attributes
7944
7945 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
7946 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
7947 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
7948 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
7949 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
7950 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
7951 user can override the fetched regions.
7952
7953 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
7954 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
7955 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
7956 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
7957 all memory.
7958
7959 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
7960 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
7961
7962 @table @code
7963 @kindex mem
7964 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
7965 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
7966 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
7967 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
7968 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
7969 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
7970
7971 @item mem auto
7972 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
7973 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
7974
7975 @kindex delete mem
7976 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7977 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
7978 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
7979
7980 @kindex disable mem
7981 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7982 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
7983 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
7984 It may be enabled again later.
7985
7986 @kindex enable mem
7987 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7988 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
7989
7990 @kindex info mem
7991 @item info mem
7992 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
7993 for each region:
7994
7995 @table @emph
7996 @item Memory Region Number
7997 @item Enabled or Disabled.
7998 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
7999 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8000
8001 @item Lo Address
8002 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8003
8004 @item Hi Address
8005 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8006
8007 @item Attributes
8008 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8009 @end table
8010 @end table
8011
8012
8013 @subsection Attributes
8014
8015 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8016 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8017 write accesses to a memory region.
8018
8019 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8020 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8021 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8022
8023 @table @code
8024 @item ro
8025 Memory is read only.
8026 @item wo
8027 Memory is write only.
8028 @item rw
8029 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8030 @end table
8031
8032 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8033 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8034 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8035 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8036 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8037
8038 @table @code
8039 @item 8
8040 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8041 @item 16
8042 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8043 @item 32
8044 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8045 @item 64
8046 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8047 @end table
8048
8049 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8050 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8051 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8052 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8053 @c
8054 @c @table @code
8055 @c @item hwbreak
8056 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8057 @c @item swbreak (default)
8058 @c @end table
8059
8060 @subsubsection Data Cache
8061 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8062 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8063 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8064 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8065 registers.
8066
8067 @table @code
8068 @item cache
8069 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8070 @item nocache
8071 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8072 @end table
8073
8074 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8075 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8076 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8077 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8078 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8079
8080 @table @code
8081 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8082 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8083 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8084 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8085 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8086 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8087 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8088 The default value is @code{on}.
8089 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8090 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8091 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8092 @end table
8093
8094
8095 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8096 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8097 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8098 @c
8099 @c @table @code
8100 @c @item verify
8101 @c @item noverify (default)
8102 @c @end table
8103
8104 @node Dump/Restore Files
8105 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8106 @cindex dump/restore files
8107 @cindex append data to a file
8108 @cindex dump data to a file
8109 @cindex restore data from a file
8110
8111 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8112 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8113 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8114 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8115 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8116 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8117 files.
8118
8119 @table @code
8120
8121 @kindex dump
8122 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8123 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8124 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8125 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8126
8127 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8128 @table @code
8129 @item binary
8130 Raw binary form.
8131 @item ihex
8132 Intel hex format.
8133 @item srec
8134 Motorola S-record format.
8135 @item tekhex
8136 Tektronix Hex format.
8137 @end table
8138
8139 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8140 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8141 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8142 form.
8143
8144 @kindex append
8145 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8146 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8147 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8148 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8149 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8150
8151 @kindex restore
8152 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8153 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8154 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8155 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8156 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8157
8158 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8159 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8160 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8161 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8162 from that location.
8163
8164 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8165 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8166 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8167 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8168
8169 @end table
8170
8171 @node Core File Generation
8172 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8173 @cindex dump core from inferior
8174
8175 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8176 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8177 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8178 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8179 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8180 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8181 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8182
8183 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8184 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8185 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8186
8187 @table @code
8188 @kindex gcore
8189 @kindex generate-core-file
8190 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8191 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8192 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8193 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8194 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8195 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8196
8197 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8198 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8199 @end table
8200
8201 @node Character Sets
8202 @section Character Sets
8203 @cindex character sets
8204 @cindex charset
8205 @cindex translating between character sets
8206 @cindex host character set
8207 @cindex target character set
8208
8209 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8210 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8211 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8212 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8213 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8214 @dfn{target character set}.
8215
8216 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8217 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8218 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8219 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8220 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8221 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8222 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8223 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8224 character and string literals in expressions.
8225
8226 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8227 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8228 target-charset} command, described below.
8229
8230 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8231 support:
8232
8233 @table @code
8234 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8235 @kindex set target-charset
8236 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8237 list of supported target character sets, type
8238 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8239
8240 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8241 @kindex set host-charset
8242 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8243
8244 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8245 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8246 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8247 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8248 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8249
8250 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8251 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8252 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8253
8254 @item set charset @var{charset}
8255 @kindex set charset
8256 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8257 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8258 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8259 for both host and target.
8260
8261 @item show charset
8262 @kindex show charset
8263 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8264
8265 @item show host-charset
8266 @kindex show host-charset
8267 Show the name of the current host character set.
8268
8269 @item show target-charset
8270 @kindex show target-charset
8271 Show the name of the current target character set.
8272
8273 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8274 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8275 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8276 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8277 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8278 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8279
8280 @item show target-wide-charset
8281 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8282 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8283 @end table
8284
8285 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8286 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8287 @file{charset-test.c}:
8288
8289 @smallexample
8290 #include <stdio.h>
8291
8292 char ascii_hello[]
8293 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8294 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8295 char ibm1047_hello[]
8296 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8297 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8298
8299 main ()
8300 @{
8301 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8302 @}
8303 @end smallexample
8304
8305 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8306 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8307 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8308
8309 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8310
8311 @smallexample
8312 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8313 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8314 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8315 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8316 @dots{}
8317 (@value{GDBP})
8318 @end smallexample
8319
8320 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8321 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8322 strings:
8323
8324 @smallexample
8325 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8326 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8327 (@value{GDBP})
8328 @end smallexample
8329
8330 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8331 initial character set:
8332 @smallexample
8333 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8334 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8335 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8336 (@value{GDBP})
8337 @end smallexample
8338
8339 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8340 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8341 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8342 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8343 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8344
8345 @smallexample
8346 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8347 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8348 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8349 $2 = 72 'H'
8350 (@value{GDBP})
8351 @end smallexample
8352
8353 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8354 literals you use in expressions:
8355
8356 @smallexample
8357 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8358 $3 = 43 '+'
8359 (@value{GDBP})
8360 @end smallexample
8361
8362 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8363 character.
8364
8365 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8366 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8367 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8368
8369 @smallexample
8370 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8371 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8372 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8373 $5 = 200 '\310'
8374 (@value{GDBP})
8375 @end smallexample
8376
8377 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8378 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8379
8380 @smallexample
8381 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8382 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8383 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8384 @end smallexample
8385
8386 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8387 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8388 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8389 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8390 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8391
8392 @smallexample
8393 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8394 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8395 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8396 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8397 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8398 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8399 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8400 $7 = 72 '\110'
8401 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8402 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8403 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8404 $9 = 200 'H'
8405 (@value{GDBP})
8406 @end smallexample
8407
8408 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8409 string literals you use in expressions:
8410
8411 @smallexample
8412 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8413 $10 = 78 '+'
8414 (@value{GDBP})
8415 @end smallexample
8416
8417 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8418 character.
8419
8420 @node Caching Remote Data
8421 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8422 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8423
8424 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
8425 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8426 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8427 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
8428 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
8429 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
8430 addresses, etc. Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
8431 known to be on the stack. Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked
8432 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
8433
8434 @table @code
8435 @kindex set remotecache
8436 @item set remotecache on
8437 @itemx set remotecache off
8438 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
8439 with old scripts.
8440
8441 @kindex show remotecache
8442 @item show remotecache
8443 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
8444
8445 @kindex set stack-cache
8446 @item set stack-cache on
8447 @itemx set stack-cache off
8448 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
8449 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
8450
8451 @kindex show stack-cache
8452 @item show stack-cache
8453 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
8454
8455 @kindex info dcache
8456 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
8457 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8458 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
8459 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
8460 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
8461 operation.
8462
8463 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
8464 printed in hex.
8465 @end table
8466
8467 @node Searching Memory
8468 @section Search Memory
8469 @cindex searching memory
8470
8471 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8472 @code{find} command.
8473
8474 @table @code
8475 @kindex find
8476 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8477 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8478 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8479 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8480 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8481 @end table
8482
8483 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8484 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8485
8486 @table @r
8487 @item @var{s}, search query size
8488 The size of each search query value.
8489
8490 @table @code
8491 @item b
8492 bytes
8493 @item h
8494 halfwords (two bytes)
8495 @item w
8496 words (four bytes)
8497 @item g
8498 giant words (eight bytes)
8499 @end table
8500
8501 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8502 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8503 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8504
8505 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8506 value's type in the current language.
8507 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8508 pattern as a mixture of types.
8509 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8510 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8511 which is typically four bytes.
8512
8513 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8514 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8515 @end table
8516
8517 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8518 (@code{"}).
8519 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8520 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8521
8522 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8523 number of matches found.
8524
8525 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8526 @samp{$_}.
8527 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8528
8529 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8530
8531 @smallexample
8532 void
8533 hello ()
8534 @{
8535 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8536 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8537 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8538 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8539 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8540 @}
8541 @end smallexample
8542
8543 @noindent
8544 you get during debugging:
8545
8546 @smallexample
8547 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8548 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8549 1 pattern found
8550 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8551 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8552 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8553 2 patterns found
8554 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8555 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8556 1 pattern found
8557 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8558 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8559 1 pattern found
8560 (gdb) print $numfound
8561 $1 = 1
8562 (gdb) print $_
8563 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8564 @end smallexample
8565
8566 @node Optimized Code
8567 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
8568 @cindex optimized code, debugging
8569 @cindex debugging optimized code
8570
8571 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
8572 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
8573 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
8574 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
8575 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
8576 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
8577 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
8578
8579 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
8580 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
8581 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
8582 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
8583
8584 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
8585 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
8586 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
8587 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
8588 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
8589 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
8590
8591 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
8592 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
8593 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
8594 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
8595 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
8596
8597 @menu
8598 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
8599 @end menu
8600
8601 @node Inline Functions
8602 @section Inline Functions
8603 @cindex inline functions, debugging
8604
8605 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
8606 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
8607 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
8608 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
8609 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
8610 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
8611 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
8612 @code{info frame} command.
8613
8614 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
8615 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
8616 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
8617 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
8618 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
8619 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
8620 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
8621 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
8622 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
8623 local variables in the caller.
8624
8625 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
8626 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
8627 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
8628 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
8629 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
8630 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
8631 instructions are executed.
8632
8633 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
8634 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
8635 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
8636 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
8637
8638 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
8639 function calls are the same as normal calls:
8640
8641 @itemize @bullet
8642 @item
8643 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
8644 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
8645 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
8646 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
8647 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
8648 function instead.
8649
8650 @item
8651 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
8652 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
8653 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
8654 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
8655 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
8656 or inside the inlined function instead.
8657
8658 @item
8659 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
8660 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
8661 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
8662 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
8663
8664 @end itemize
8665
8666
8667 @node Macros
8668 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
8669
8670 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
8671 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
8672 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
8673 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
8674 where it was defined.
8675
8676 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
8677 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
8678 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
8679 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
8680
8681 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
8682 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
8683 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
8684 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
8685 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
8686 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
8687 see @ref{List}.
8688
8689 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
8690 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
8691 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
8692
8693 @table @code
8694
8695 @kindex macro expand
8696 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
8697 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
8698 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
8699 @item macro expand @var{expression}
8700 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
8701 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
8702 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
8703 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
8704 it can be any string of tokens.
8705
8706 @kindex macro exp1
8707 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
8708 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
8709 @cindex expand macro once
8710 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
8711 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
8712 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
8713 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
8714 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
8715 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
8716 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
8717 can be any string of tokens.
8718
8719 @kindex info macro
8720 @cindex macro definition, showing
8721 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
8722 @item info macro @var{macro}
8723 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
8724 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
8725
8726 @kindex macro define
8727 @cindex user-defined macros
8728 @cindex defining macros interactively
8729 @cindex macros, user-defined
8730 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
8731 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
8732 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
8733 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
8734 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
8735 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
8736 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
8737 @var{arglist}.
8738
8739 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
8740 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
8741 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
8742 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
8743 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
8744
8745 @kindex macro undef
8746 @item macro undef @var{macro}
8747 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
8748 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
8749 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
8750 in the program being debugged.
8751
8752 @kindex macro list
8753 @item macro list
8754 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
8755 @end table
8756
8757 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
8758 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
8759 show our source files:
8760
8761 @smallexample
8762 $ cat sample.c
8763 #include <stdio.h>
8764 #include "sample.h"
8765
8766 #define M 42
8767 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8768
8769 main ()
8770 @{
8771 #define N 28
8772 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8773 #undef N
8774 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8775 #define N 1729
8776 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
8777 @}
8778 $ cat sample.h
8779 #define Q <
8780 $
8781 @end smallexample
8782
8783 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
8784 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
8785 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
8786 information.
8787
8788 @smallexample
8789 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
8790 $
8791 @end smallexample
8792
8793 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
8794
8795 @smallexample
8796 $ gdb -nw sample
8797 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
8798 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8799 GDB is free software, @dots{}
8800 (@value{GDBP})
8801 @end smallexample
8802
8803 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
8804 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
8805 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
8806
8807 @smallexample
8808 (@value{GDBP}) list main
8809 3
8810 4 #define M 42
8811 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8812 6
8813 7 main ()
8814 8 @{
8815 9 #define N 28
8816 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8817 11 #undef N
8818 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8819 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
8820 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
8821 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8822 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
8823 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
8824 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
8825 #define Q <
8826 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
8827 expands to: (42 + 1)
8828 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
8829 expands to: once (M + 1)
8830 (@value{GDBP})
8831 @end smallexample
8832
8833 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
8834 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
8835 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
8836 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
8837
8838 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
8839 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
8840
8841 @smallexample
8842 (@value{GDBP}) break main
8843 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
8844 (@value{GDBP}) run
8845 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
8846
8847 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
8848 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8849 (@value{GDBP})
8850 @end smallexample
8851
8852 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
8853
8854 @smallexample
8855 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8856 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
8857 #define N 28
8858 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
8859 expands to: 28 < 42
8860 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
8861 $1 = 1
8862 (@value{GDBP})
8863 @end smallexample
8864
8865 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
8866 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
8867 thereof) in force at each point:
8868
8869 @smallexample
8870 (@value{GDBP}) next
8871 Hello, world!
8872 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8873 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8874 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
8875 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
8876 (@value{GDBP}) next
8877 We're so creative.
8878 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
8879 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8880 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
8881 #define N 1729
8882 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
8883 expands to: 1729 < 42
8884 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
8885 $2 = 0
8886 (@value{GDBP})
8887 @end smallexample
8888
8889 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
8890 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
8891 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
8892 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
8893
8894 @smallexample
8895 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
8896 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
8897 -D__STDC__=1
8898 (@value{GDBP})
8899 @end smallexample
8900
8901
8902 @node Tracepoints
8903 @chapter Tracepoints
8904 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
8905 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
8906
8907 @cindex tracepoints
8908 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
8909 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
8910 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
8911 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
8912 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
8913 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
8914 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
8915
8916 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
8917 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
8918 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
8919 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
8920 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
8921 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
8922 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
8923 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
8924 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
8925 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
8926 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
8927
8928 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
8929 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
8930 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
8931 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
8932 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
8933 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
8934 Packets}.
8935
8936 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
8937
8938 @menu
8939 * Set Tracepoints::
8940 * Analyze Collected Data::
8941 * Tracepoint Variables::
8942 @end menu
8943
8944 @node Set Tracepoints
8945 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
8946
8947 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
8948 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
8949 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
8950 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
8951 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
8952 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
8953 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
8954
8955 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
8956 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
8957 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
8958 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
8959 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
8960 tracepoint was hit.
8961
8962 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Conditional
8963 expressions and ignore counts on tracepoints have no effect, and
8964 tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN} commands when they are
8965 hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific either.
8966
8967 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
8968 conditions and actions.
8969
8970 @menu
8971 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
8972 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
8973 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
8974 * Tracepoint Conditions::
8975 * Tracepoint Actions::
8976 * Listing Tracepoints::
8977 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
8978 @end menu
8979
8980 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
8981 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
8982
8983 @table @code
8984 @cindex set tracepoint
8985 @kindex trace
8986 @item trace @var{location}
8987 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
8988 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
8989 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
8990 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
8991 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
8992 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
8993 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
8994 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
8995 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
8996
8997 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
8998
8999 @smallexample
9000 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9001
9002 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9003
9004 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9005
9006 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9007
9008 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9009 @end smallexample
9010
9011 @noindent
9012 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9013
9014 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9015 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9016 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9017 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9018 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9019 information on tracepoint conditions.
9020
9021 @vindex $tpnum
9022 @cindex last tracepoint number
9023 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9024 @cindex tracepoint number
9025 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9026 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9027
9028 @kindex delete tracepoint
9029 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9030 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9031 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9032 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9033 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9034
9035 Examples:
9036
9037 @smallexample
9038 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9039
9040 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9041 @end smallexample
9042
9043 @noindent
9044 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9045 @end table
9046
9047 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9048 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9049
9050 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9051
9052 @table @code
9053 @kindex disable tracepoint
9054 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9055 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9056 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9057 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9058 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9059
9060 @kindex enable tracepoint
9061 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9062 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9063 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9064 run.
9065 @end table
9066
9067 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9068 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9069
9070 @table @code
9071 @kindex passcount
9072 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9073 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9074 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9075 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9076 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9077 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9078 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9079 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9080 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9081 user.
9082
9083 Examples:
9084
9085 @smallexample
9086 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9087 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9088
9089 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9090 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9091 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9092 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9093 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9094 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9095 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9096 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9097 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9098 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9099 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9100 @end smallexample
9101 @end table
9102
9103 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9104 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9105 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9106 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9107
9108 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9109 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9110 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9111 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9112 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9113 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9114 is true.
9115
9116 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9117 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9118 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9119 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9120 just as with breakpoints.
9121
9122 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9123 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9124 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9125 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9126 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9127 accesses, and so forth.
9128
9129 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9130 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9131 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9132 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9133 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9134 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9135 search through.
9136
9137 @smallexample
9138 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9139 @end smallexample
9140
9141 @node Tracepoint Actions
9142 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9143
9144 @table @code
9145 @kindex actions
9146 @cindex tracepoint actions
9147 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9148 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9149 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9150 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9151 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9152 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9153 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9154 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9155 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
9156 @code{while-stepping}.
9157
9158 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9159 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9160 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9161
9162 @smallexample
9163 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9164
9165 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9166
9167 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9168 @end smallexample
9169
9170 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9171 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9172 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9173 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9174 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
9175 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
9176 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
9177 @code{end} command.
9178
9179 @smallexample
9180 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9181 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9182 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9183 > collect bar,baz
9184 > collect $regs
9185 > while-stepping 12
9186 > collect $fp, $sp
9187 > end
9188 end
9189 @end smallexample
9190
9191 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9192 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9193 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9194 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9195 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9196 special arguments are supported:
9197
9198 @table @code
9199 @item $regs
9200 collect all registers
9201
9202 @item $args
9203 collect all function arguments
9204
9205 @item $locals
9206 collect all local variables.
9207 @end table
9208
9209 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9210 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9211 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
9212
9213 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9214 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9215
9216 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9217 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9218 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
9219 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9220 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
9221 its own @code{end} command):
9222
9223 @smallexample
9224 > while-stepping 12
9225 > collect $regs, myglobal
9226 > end
9227 >
9228 @end smallexample
9229
9230 @noindent
9231 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9232 @code{stepping}.
9233 @end table
9234
9235 @node Listing Tracepoints
9236 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9237
9238 @table @code
9239 @kindex info tracepoints
9240 @kindex info tp
9241 @cindex information about tracepoints
9242 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9243 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9244 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9245 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9246 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9247 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9248
9249 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9250 tracing:
9251
9252 @itemize @bullet
9253 @item
9254 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9255 @item
9256 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
9257 @item
9258 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
9259 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
9260 @end itemize
9261
9262 @smallexample
9263 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9264 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9265 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9266 pass count 1200
9267 step count 20
9268 A while-stepping 20
9269 A collect globfoo, $regs
9270 A end
9271 A collect globfoo2
9272 A end
9273 (@value{GDBP})
9274 @end smallexample
9275
9276 @noindent
9277 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9278 @end table
9279
9280 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9281 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9282
9283 @table @code
9284 @kindex tstart
9285 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9286 @cindex collected data discarded
9287 @item tstart
9288 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9289 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9290 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9291 experiment.
9292
9293 @kindex tstop
9294 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
9295 @item tstop
9296 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9297 stops collecting data.
9298
9299 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9300 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9301 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9302
9303 @kindex tstatus
9304 @cindex status of trace data collection
9305 @cindex trace experiment, status of
9306 @item tstatus
9307 This command displays the status of the current trace data
9308 collection.
9309 @end table
9310
9311 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9312
9313 @smallexample
9314 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9315 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9316 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9317 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
9318 > while-stepping 11
9319 > collect $regs
9320 > end
9321 > end
9322 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9323 [time passes @dots{}]
9324 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9325 @end smallexample
9326
9327
9328 @node Analyze Collected Data
9329 @section Using the Collected Data
9330
9331 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
9332 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
9333 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
9334 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
9335 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
9336 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
9337 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
9338 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
9339 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
9340 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
9341 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
9342 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
9343 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
9344 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
9345 the buffer will fail.
9346
9347 @menu
9348 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
9349 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
9350 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
9351 @end menu
9352
9353 @node tfind
9354 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
9355
9356 @kindex tfind
9357 @cindex select trace snapshot
9358 @cindex find trace snapshot
9359 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
9360 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
9361 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
9362 snapshot is selected.
9363
9364 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
9365
9366 @table @code
9367 @item tfind start
9368 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
9369 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
9370
9371 @item tfind none
9372 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
9373
9374 @item tfind end
9375 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
9376
9377 @item tfind
9378 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
9379
9380 @item tfind -
9381 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
9382 retracing earlier steps.
9383
9384 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
9385 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
9386 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
9387 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
9388 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
9389
9390 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
9391 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
9392 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
9393 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
9394 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
9395
9396 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9397 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
9398 addresses.
9399
9400 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9401 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
9402 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
9403
9404 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
9405 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
9406 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
9407 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
9408 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
9409 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
9410 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
9411 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
9412 @end table
9413
9414 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
9415 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
9416 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
9417 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
9418 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
9419 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
9420 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
9421 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
9422 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
9423 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
9424 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
9425 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
9426 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
9427 tracepoint as the current one.
9428
9429 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
9430 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
9431 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
9432 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
9433 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
9434
9435 @smallexample
9436 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9437 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9438 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
9439 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
9440 > tfind
9441 > end
9442
9443 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
9444 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
9445 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
9446 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
9447 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
9448 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
9449 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
9450 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
9451 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
9452 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
9453 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
9454 @end smallexample
9455
9456 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
9457 the buffer:
9458
9459 @smallexample
9460 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9461 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9462 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
9463 > tfind line
9464 > end
9465
9466 Frame 0, X = 1
9467 Frame 7, X = 2
9468 Frame 13, X = 255
9469 @end smallexample
9470
9471 @node tdump
9472 @subsection @code{tdump}
9473 @kindex tdump
9474 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
9475 @cindex tracepoint data, display
9476
9477 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
9478 the current trace snapshot.
9479
9480 @smallexample
9481 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
9482 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9483 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
9484 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
9485 > end
9486
9487 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9488
9489 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
9490 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
9491 at gdb_test.c:444
9492 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
9493
9494 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
9495 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
9496 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
9497 d1 0x18 24
9498 d2 0x80 128
9499 d3 0x33 51
9500 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
9501 d5 0x22 34
9502 d6 0xe0 224
9503 d7 0x380035 3670069
9504 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
9505 a1 0x3000668 50333288
9506 a2 0x100 256
9507 a3 0x322000 3284992
9508 a4 0x3000698 50333336
9509 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
9510 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
9511 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
9512 ps 0x0 0
9513 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
9514 fpcontrol 0x0 0
9515 fpstatus 0x0 0
9516 fpiaddr 0x0 0
9517 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
9518 p1 = (void *) 0x11
9519 p2 = (void *) 0x22
9520 p3 = (void *) 0x33
9521 p4 = (void *) 0x44
9522 p5 = (void *) 0x55
9523 p6 = (void *) 0x66
9524 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
9525
9526 (@value{GDBP})
9527 @end smallexample
9528
9529 @node save-tracepoints
9530 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
9531 @kindex save-tracepoints
9532 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
9533
9534 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
9535 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
9536 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
9537 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
9538 Files}).
9539
9540 @node Tracepoint Variables
9541 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
9542 @cindex tracepoint variables
9543 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
9544
9545 @table @code
9546 @vindex $trace_frame
9547 @item (int) $trace_frame
9548 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
9549 snapshot is selected.
9550
9551 @vindex $tracepoint
9552 @item (int) $tracepoint
9553 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
9554
9555 @vindex $trace_line
9556 @item (int) $trace_line
9557 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
9558
9559 @vindex $trace_file
9560 @item (char []) $trace_file
9561 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
9562
9563 @vindex $trace_func
9564 @item (char []) $trace_func
9565 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
9566 @end table
9567
9568 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
9569 use @code{output} instead.
9570
9571 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
9572 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
9573 data.
9574
9575 @smallexample
9576 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9577
9578 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
9579 > output $trace_file
9580 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
9581 > tfind
9582 > end
9583 @end smallexample
9584
9585 @node Overlays
9586 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
9587 @cindex overlays
9588
9589 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
9590 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
9591 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
9592 use overlays.
9593
9594 @menu
9595 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
9596 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
9597 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
9598 mapped by asking the inferior.
9599 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
9600 @end menu
9601
9602 @node How Overlays Work
9603 @section How Overlays Work
9604 @cindex mapped overlays
9605 @cindex unmapped overlays
9606 @cindex load address, overlay's
9607 @cindex mapped address
9608 @cindex overlay area
9609
9610 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
9611 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
9612 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
9613 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
9614 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
9615
9616 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
9617 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
9618 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
9619 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
9620 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
9621 largest overlay as well.
9622
9623 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
9624 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
9625 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
9626 there.
9627
9628 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
9629 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
9630 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
9631
9632 @smallexample
9633 @group
9634 Data Instruction Larger
9635 Address Space Address Space Address Space
9636 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
9637 | | | | | |
9638 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
9639 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
9640 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
9641 | and heap | | | | | |
9642 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
9643 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
9644 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
9645 | | | | | |
9646 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
9647 address | | | | | |
9648 | overlay | <-' | | |
9649 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
9650 | | <---. | | load address
9651 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
9652 | | | |
9653 +-----------+ | |
9654 +-----------+
9655 | |
9656 +-----------+
9657
9658 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
9659 @end group
9660 @end smallexample
9661
9662 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
9663 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
9664 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
9665 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
9666 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
9667 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
9668 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
9669 program and the overlay area.
9670
9671 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
9672 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
9673 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
9674 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
9675 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
9676 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
9677 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
9678
9679 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
9680 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
9681 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
9682
9683 @itemize @bullet
9684
9685 @item
9686 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
9687 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
9688 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
9689 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
9690
9691 @item
9692 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
9693 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
9694 your program's performance.
9695
9696 @item
9697 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
9698 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
9699 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
9700 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
9701 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
9702 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
9703 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
9704
9705 @item
9706 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
9707 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
9708 instruction and data spaces.
9709
9710 @end itemize
9711
9712 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
9713 improved in many ways:
9714
9715 @itemize @bullet
9716
9717 @item
9718 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
9719 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
9720 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
9721 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
9722 area in the usual way.
9723
9724 @item
9725 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
9726 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
9727
9728 @item
9729 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
9730 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
9731 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
9732 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
9733 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
9734 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
9735 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
9736
9737 @end itemize
9738
9739
9740 @node Overlay Commands
9741 @section Overlay Commands
9742
9743 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
9744 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
9745 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
9746 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
9747 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
9748 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
9749
9750 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
9751 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
9752
9753 @table @code
9754 @item overlay off
9755 @kindex overlay
9756 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
9757 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
9758 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
9759 overlay support is disabled.
9760
9761 @item overlay manual
9762 @cindex manual overlay debugging
9763 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
9764 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
9765 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
9766 commands described below.
9767
9768 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
9769 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
9770 @cindex map an overlay
9771 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
9772 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
9773 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
9774 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
9775 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
9776 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
9777
9778 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
9779 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
9780 @cindex unmap an overlay
9781 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
9782 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
9783 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
9784 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
9785
9786 @item overlay auto
9787 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
9788 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
9789 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
9790 Overlay Debugging}.
9791
9792 @item overlay load-target
9793 @itemx overlay load
9794 @cindex reloading the overlay table
9795 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
9796 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
9797 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
9798 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
9799 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
9800
9801 @item overlay list-overlays
9802 @itemx overlay list
9803 @cindex listing mapped overlays
9804 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
9805 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
9806
9807 @end table
9808
9809 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
9810 of the function the address falls in:
9811
9812 @smallexample
9813 (@value{GDBP}) print main
9814 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
9815 @end smallexample
9816 @noindent
9817 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
9818 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
9819 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
9820 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
9821
9822 @smallexample
9823 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
9824 No sections are mapped.
9825 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
9826 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
9827 @end smallexample
9828 @noindent
9829 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
9830 name normally:
9831
9832 @smallexample
9833 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
9834 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
9835 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
9836 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
9837 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
9838 @end smallexample
9839
9840 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
9841 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
9842 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
9843 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
9844 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
9845
9846 @itemize @bullet
9847 @item
9848 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
9849 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
9850 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
9851 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
9852 @item
9853 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
9854 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
9855 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
9856 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
9857 breakpoints properly.
9858 @end itemize
9859
9860
9861 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
9862 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
9863 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
9864
9865 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
9866 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
9867 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
9868 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
9869 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
9870 current state of the overlays.
9871
9872 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
9873 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
9874
9875 @table @asis
9876
9877 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
9878 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
9879
9880 @smallexample
9881 struct
9882 @{
9883 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
9884 unsigned long vma;
9885
9886 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
9887 unsigned long size;
9888
9889 /* The overlay's load address. */
9890 unsigned long lma;
9891
9892 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
9893 zero otherwise. */
9894 unsigned long mapped;
9895 @}
9896 @end smallexample
9897
9898 @item @code{_novlys}:
9899 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
9900 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
9901
9902 @end table
9903
9904 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
9905 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
9906 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
9907 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
9908 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
9909 currently mapped.
9910
9911 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
9912 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
9913 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
9914 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
9915 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
9916 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
9917 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
9918 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
9919 are not being executed.
9920
9921 @node Overlay Sample Program
9922 @section Overlay Sample Program
9923 @cindex overlay example program
9924
9925 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
9926 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
9927 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
9928 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
9929 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
9930 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
9931 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
9932
9933 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
9934 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
9935 suite. The program consists of the following files from
9936 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
9937
9938 @table @file
9939 @item overlays.c
9940 The main program file.
9941 @item ovlymgr.c
9942 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
9943 @item foo.c
9944 @itemx bar.c
9945 @itemx baz.c
9946 @itemx grbx.c
9947 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
9948 @item d10v.ld
9949 @itemx m32r.ld
9950 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
9951 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
9952 @end table
9953
9954 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
9955 cross-compiler like this:
9956
9957 @smallexample
9958 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
9959 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
9960 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
9961 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
9962 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
9963 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
9964 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
9965 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
9966 @end smallexample
9967
9968 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
9969 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
9970 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
9971
9972
9973 @node Languages
9974 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
9975 @cindex languages
9976
9977 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
9978 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
9979 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
9980 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
9981 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
9982 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
9983
9984 @cindex working language
9985 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
9986 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
9987 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
9988 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
9989 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
9990 language}.
9991
9992 @menu
9993 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
9994 * Show:: Displaying the language
9995 * Checks:: Type and range checks
9996 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
9997 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
9998 @end menu
9999
10000 @node Setting
10001 @section Switching Between Source Languages
10002
10003 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10004 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10005 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10006 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10007 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10008 are printed, etc.
10009
10010 In addition to the working language, every source file that
10011 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10012 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10013 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10014 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10015 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10016 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10017 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10018 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10019 Displaying the Language}.
10020
10021 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10022 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10023 another language. In that case, make the
10024 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10025 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10026 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10027
10028 @menu
10029 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10030 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10031 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10032 @end menu
10033
10034 @node Filenames
10035 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10036
10037 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10038 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10039
10040 @table @file
10041 @item .ada
10042 @itemx .ads
10043 @itemx .adb
10044 @itemx .a
10045 Ada source file.
10046
10047 @item .c
10048 C source file
10049
10050 @item .C
10051 @itemx .cc
10052 @itemx .cp
10053 @itemx .cpp
10054 @itemx .cxx
10055 @itemx .c++
10056 C@t{++} source file
10057
10058 @item .m
10059 Objective-C source file
10060
10061 @item .f
10062 @itemx .F
10063 Fortran source file
10064
10065 @item .mod
10066 Modula-2 source file
10067
10068 @item .s
10069 @itemx .S
10070 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10071 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10072 @end table
10073
10074 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10075 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10076
10077 @node Manually
10078 @subsection Setting the Working Language
10079
10080 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10081 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10082 your program.
10083
10084 @kindex set language
10085 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10086 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10087 a language, such as
10088 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
10089 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
10090
10091 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
10092 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
10093 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
10094 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
10095 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
10096 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
10097 command such as:
10098
10099 @smallexample
10100 print a = b + c
10101 @end smallexample
10102
10103 @noindent
10104 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
10105 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
10106 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
10107 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
10108
10109 @node Automatically
10110 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
10111
10112 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
10113 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
10114 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
10115 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
10116 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
10117 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
10118 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
10119 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
10120 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
10121
10122 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
10123 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
10124 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
10125 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
10126 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
10127
10128 @node Show
10129 @section Displaying the Language
10130
10131 The following commands help you find out which language is the
10132 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
10133
10134 @table @code
10135 @item show language
10136 @kindex show language
10137 Display the current working language. This is the
10138 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
10139 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
10140
10141 @item info frame
10142 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
10143 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
10144 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
10145 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
10146 information listed here.
10147
10148 @item info source
10149 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
10150 Display the source language of this source file.
10151 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
10152 information listed here.
10153 @end table
10154
10155 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
10156 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
10157 with a language explicitly:
10158
10159 @table @code
10160 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
10161 @kindex set extension-language
10162 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
10163 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
10164
10165 @item info extensions
10166 @kindex info extensions
10167 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
10168 @end table
10169
10170 @node Checks
10171 @section Type and Range Checking
10172
10173 @quotation
10174 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
10175 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
10176 section documents the intended facilities.
10177 @end quotation
10178 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
10179
10180 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
10181 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
10182 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
10183 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
10184 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
10185 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
10186 errors when your program is running.
10187
10188 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
10189 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
10190 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
10191 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
10192 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
10193 automatically based on your program's source language.
10194 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
10195 settings of supported languages.
10196
10197 @menu
10198 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
10199 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
10200 @end menu
10201
10202 @cindex type checking
10203 @cindex checks, type
10204 @node Type Checking
10205 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10206
10207 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10208 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10209 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10210 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10211
10212 @smallexample
10213 1 + 2 @result{} 3
10214 @exdent but
10215 @error{} 1 + 2.3
10216 @end smallexample
10217
10218 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10219 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10220
10221 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10222 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10223 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10224 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10225 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10226 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10227 also issues a warning.
10228
10229 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10230 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
10231 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
10232 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
10233 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
10234 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
10235
10236 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
10237 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
10238 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
10239 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
10240 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
10241 details on specific languages.
10242
10243 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
10244
10245 @kindex set check type
10246 @kindex show check type
10247 @table @code
10248 @item set check type auto
10249 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
10250 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10251 each language.
10252
10253 @item set check type on
10254 @itemx set check type off
10255 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10256 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
10257 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
10258 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
10259 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
10260
10261 @item set check type warn
10262 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
10263 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
10264 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
10265 numbers and structures.
10266
10267 @item show type
10268 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
10269 is setting it automatically.
10270 @end table
10271
10272 @cindex range checking
10273 @cindex checks, range
10274 @node Range Checking
10275 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
10276
10277 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
10278 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
10279 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
10280 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
10281 not exceed the bounds of the array.
10282
10283 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
10284 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
10285 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
10286 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
10287
10288 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
10289 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
10290 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
10291 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
10292 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
10293 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
10294
10295 @smallexample
10296 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
10297 @end smallexample
10298
10299 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
10300 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
10301 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
10302
10303 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
10304
10305 @kindex set check range
10306 @kindex show check range
10307 @table @code
10308 @item set check range auto
10309 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
10310 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10311 each language.
10312
10313 @item set check range on
10314 @itemx set check range off
10315 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10316 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
10317 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
10318 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
10319
10320 @item set check range warn
10321 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
10322 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
10323 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
10324 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
10325 systems).
10326
10327 @item show range
10328 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
10329 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
10330 @end table
10331
10332 @node Supported Languages
10333 @section Supported Languages
10334
10335 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
10336 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
10337 @c This is false ...
10338 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
10339 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
10340 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
10341 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
10342 language.
10343
10344 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
10345 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
10346 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
10347 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
10348 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
10349 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
10350 language reference or tutorial.
10351
10352 @menu
10353 * C:: C and C@t{++}
10354 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
10355 * Fortran:: Fortran
10356 * Pascal:: Pascal
10357 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
10358 * Ada:: Ada
10359 @end menu
10360
10361 @node C
10362 @subsection C and C@t{++}
10363
10364 @cindex C and C@t{++}
10365 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
10366
10367 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
10368 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
10369 together.
10370
10371 @cindex C@t{++}
10372 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
10373 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
10374 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
10375 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
10376 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
10377 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
10378 compiler (@code{aCC}).
10379
10380 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
10381 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
10382 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
10383 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
10384 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
10385 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
10386
10387 @menu
10388 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
10389 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
10390 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
10391 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
10392 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
10393 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
10394 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
10395 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
10396 @end menu
10397
10398 @node C Operators
10399 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
10400
10401 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
10402
10403 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10404 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10405 often defined on groups of types.
10406
10407 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
10408
10409 @itemize @bullet
10410
10411 @item
10412 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
10413 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
10414
10415 @item
10416 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
10417 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
10418
10419 @item
10420 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
10421
10422 @item
10423 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
10424
10425 @end itemize
10426
10427 @noindent
10428 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
10429 in order of increasing precedence:
10430
10431 @table @code
10432 @item ,
10433 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
10434 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
10435 expression being the last expression evaluated.
10436
10437 @item =
10438 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
10439 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
10440
10441 @item @var{op}=
10442 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
10443 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
10444 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
10445 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
10446 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
10447
10448 @item ?:
10449 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
10450 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
10451 integral type.
10452
10453 @item ||
10454 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10455
10456 @item &&
10457 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10458
10459 @item |
10460 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10461
10462 @item ^
10463 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10464
10465 @item &
10466 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10467
10468 @item ==@r{, }!=
10469 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
10470 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
10471
10472 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
10473 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
10474 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
10475 and non-zero for true.
10476
10477 @item <<@r{, }>>
10478 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
10479
10480 @item @@
10481 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
10482
10483 @item +@r{, }-
10484 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
10485 pointer types.
10486
10487 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
10488 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
10489 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
10490 integral types.
10491
10492 @item ++@r{, }--
10493 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
10494 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
10495 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
10496 operation takes place.
10497
10498 @item *
10499 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
10500 @code{++}.
10501
10502 @item &
10503 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
10504
10505 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
10506 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
10507 to examine the address
10508 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
10509 stored.
10510
10511 @item -
10512 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
10513 precedence as @code{++}.
10514
10515 @item !
10516 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10517 @code{++}.
10518
10519 @item ~
10520 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10521 @code{++}.
10522
10523
10524 @item .@r{, }->
10525 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
10526 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
10527 pointer based on the stored type information.
10528 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
10529
10530 @item .*@r{, }->*
10531 Dereferences of pointers to members.
10532
10533 @item []
10534 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
10535 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10536
10537 @item ()
10538 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10539
10540 @item ::
10541 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
10542 and @code{class} types.
10543
10544 @item ::
10545 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
10546 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
10547 above.
10548 @end table
10549
10550 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
10551 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
10552 predefined meaning.
10553
10554 @node C Constants
10555 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
10556
10557 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
10558
10559 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
10560 following ways:
10561
10562 @itemize @bullet
10563 @item
10564 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
10565 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
10566 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
10567 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
10568 @code{long} value.
10569
10570 @item
10571 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
10572 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
10573 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
10574 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
10575 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
10576 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
10577 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
10578 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
10579 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
10580 constant.
10581
10582 @item
10583 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
10584 integral equivalents.
10585
10586 @item
10587 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
10588 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
10589 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
10590 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
10591 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
10592 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
10593 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
10594 @samp{\n} for newline.
10595
10596 @item
10597 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
10598 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
10599 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
10600 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
10601 characters.
10602
10603 @item
10604 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
10605 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
10606
10607 @item
10608 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
10609 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
10610 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
10611 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
10612 @end itemize
10613
10614 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
10615 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
10616
10617 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
10618 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
10619
10620 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
10621 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
10622 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
10623 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
10624 @quotation
10625 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
10626 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
10627 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
10628 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
10629 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
10630 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
10631 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
10632 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
10633 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
10634 C@t{++} code.
10635 @end quotation
10636
10637 @enumerate
10638
10639 @cindex member functions
10640 @item
10641 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
10642
10643 @smallexample
10644 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
10645 @end smallexample
10646
10647 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
10648 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
10649 @item
10650 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
10651 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
10652 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
10653 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
10654
10655 @cindex call overloaded functions
10656 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
10657 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
10658 @item
10659 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
10660 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
10661 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
10662 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
10663 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
10664 default arguments.
10665
10666 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
10667 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
10668 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
10669 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
10670 number of function arguments.
10671
10672 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
10673 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
10674 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
10675
10676 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
10677 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
10678 @smallexample
10679 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
10680 @end smallexample
10681
10682 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
10683 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
10684
10685 @cindex reference declarations
10686 @item
10687 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
10688 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
10689 dereferenced.
10690
10691 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
10692 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
10693 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
10694 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
10695 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
10696
10697 @item
10698 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
10699 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
10700 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
10701 necessary, for example in an expression like
10702 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
10703 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
10704 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
10705 @end enumerate
10706
10707 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
10708 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
10709 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
10710 invoking user-defined operators.
10711
10712 @node C Defaults
10713 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
10714
10715 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
10716
10717 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
10718 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
10719 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
10720 selects the working language.
10721
10722 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
10723 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
10724 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
10725 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
10726 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
10727 for further details.
10728
10729 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
10730 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
10731 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
10732
10733 @node C Checks
10734 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
10735
10736 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
10737
10738 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
10739 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
10740 considers two variables type equivalent if:
10741
10742 @itemize @bullet
10743 @item
10744 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
10745 enumerated tag.
10746
10747 @item
10748 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
10749 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
10750
10751 @ignore
10752 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
10753 @c FIXME--beers?
10754 @item
10755 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
10756 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
10757 compilers.)
10758 @end ignore
10759 @end itemize
10760
10761 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
10762 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
10763 that is not itself an array.
10764
10765 @node Debugging C
10766 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
10767
10768 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
10769 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
10770 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
10771 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
10772
10773 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
10774 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
10775 ,Expressions}.
10776
10777 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
10778 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
10779
10780 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
10781
10782 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
10783 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
10784
10785 @table @code
10786 @cindex break in overloaded functions
10787 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
10788 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
10789 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
10790 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
10791 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
10792
10793 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
10794 @item rbreak @var{regex}
10795 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
10796 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
10797 classes.
10798 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
10799
10800 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
10801 @item catch throw
10802 @itemx catch catch
10803 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
10804 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
10805
10806 @cindex inheritance
10807 @item ptype @var{typename}
10808 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
10809 @var{typename}.
10810 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
10811
10812 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
10813 @item set print demangle
10814 @itemx show print demangle
10815 @itemx set print asm-demangle
10816 @itemx show print asm-demangle
10817 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
10818 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
10819 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10820
10821 @item set print object
10822 @itemx show print object
10823 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
10824 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10825
10826 @item set print vtbl
10827 @itemx show print vtbl
10828 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
10829 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10830 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
10831 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
10832
10833 @kindex set overload-resolution
10834 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
10835 @item set overload-resolution on
10836 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
10837 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
10838 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
10839 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
10840 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
10841 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
10842
10843 @item set overload-resolution off
10844 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
10845 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
10846 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
10847 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
10848 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
10849 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
10850 argument types.
10851
10852 @kindex show overload-resolution
10853 @item show overload-resolution
10854 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
10855
10856 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
10857 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
10858 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
10859 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
10860 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
10861 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
10862 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
10863 @end table
10864
10865 @node Decimal Floating Point
10866 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
10867 @cindex decimal floating point format
10868
10869 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
10870 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
10871 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
10872 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
10873
10874 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
10875 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
10876 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
10877 target.
10878
10879 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
10880 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
10881 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
10882
10883 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
10884 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
10885 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
10886
10887 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
10888 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
10889 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
10890
10891 @node Objective-C
10892 @subsection Objective-C
10893
10894 @cindex Objective-C
10895 This section provides information about some commands and command
10896 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
10897 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
10898 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
10899
10900 @menu
10901 * Method Names in Commands::
10902 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
10903 @end menu
10904
10905 @node Method Names in Commands
10906 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
10907
10908 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
10909 names as line specifications:
10910
10911 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
10912 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
10913 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
10914 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
10915 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
10916 @itemize
10917 @item @code{clear}
10918 @item @code{break}
10919 @item @code{info line}
10920 @item @code{jump}
10921 @item @code{list}
10922 @end itemize
10923
10924 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
10925
10926 @smallexample
10927 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
10928 @end smallexample
10929
10930 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
10931 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
10932 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
10933 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
10934 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
10935 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
10936 debugged, enter:
10937
10938 @smallexample
10939 break -[Fruit create]
10940 @end smallexample
10941
10942 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
10943 enter:
10944
10945 @smallexample
10946 list +[NSText initialize]
10947 @end smallexample
10948
10949 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
10950 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
10951 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
10952 is also possible to specify just a method name:
10953
10954 @smallexample
10955 break create
10956 @end smallexample
10957
10958 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
10959 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
10960 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
10961 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
10962 none apply.
10963
10964 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
10965 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
10966
10967 @smallexample
10968 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
10969 @end smallexample
10970
10971 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
10972 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
10973 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
10974 @kindex print-object
10975 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
10976
10977 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
10978
10979 @smallexample
10980 print -[@var{object} hash]
10981 @end smallexample
10982
10983 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
10984 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
10985 @noindent
10986 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
10987 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
10988 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
10989 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
10990 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
10991 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
10992
10993 @node Fortran
10994 @subsection Fortran
10995 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
10996
10997 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
10998 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
10999
11000 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11001 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11002 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11003 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11004 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11005 underscore.
11006
11007 @menu
11008 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11009 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11010 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11011 @end menu
11012
11013 @node Fortran Operators
11014 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11015
11016 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11017
11018 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11019 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11020 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11021
11022 @table @code
11023 @item **
11024 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11025 of the second one.
11026
11027 @item :
11028 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11029 represent a section of array.
11030
11031 @item %
11032 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11033 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11034 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11035 union type.
11036 @end table
11037
11038 @node Fortran Defaults
11039 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11040
11041 @cindex Fortran Defaults
11042
11043 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11044 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11045 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11046 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11047
11048 @node Special Fortran Commands
11049 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11050
11051 @cindex Special Fortran commands
11052
11053 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11054 such as displaying common blocks.
11055
11056 @table @code
11057 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11058 @kindex info common
11059 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11060 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11061 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11062 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11063 printed.
11064 @end table
11065
11066 @node Pascal
11067 @subsection Pascal
11068
11069 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11070 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11071 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11072 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11073 syntax.
11074
11075 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11076 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11077 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11078
11079 @node Modula-2
11080 @subsection Modula-2
11081
11082 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
11083
11084 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
11085 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
11086 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
11087 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11088 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
11089 table.
11090
11091 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
11092 @menu
11093 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
11094 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
11095 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
11096 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
11097 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
11098 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
11099 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
11100 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11101 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11102 @end menu
11103
11104 @node M2 Operators
11105 @subsubsection Operators
11106 @cindex Modula-2 operators
11107
11108 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11109 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11110 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
11111 following definitions hold:
11112
11113 @itemize @bullet
11114
11115 @item
11116 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
11117 their subranges.
11118
11119 @item
11120 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
11121
11122 @item
11123 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
11124
11125 @item
11126 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
11127 @var{type}}.
11128
11129 @item
11130 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
11131
11132 @item
11133 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
11134
11135 @item
11136 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
11137 @end itemize
11138
11139 @noindent
11140 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
11141 increasing precedence:
11142
11143 @table @code
11144 @item ,
11145 Function argument or array index separator.
11146
11147 @item :=
11148 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
11149 @var{value}.
11150
11151 @item <@r{, }>
11152 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
11153 types.
11154
11155 @item <=@r{, }>=
11156 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
11157 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
11158 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
11159
11160 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
11161 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
11162 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
11163 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
11164 comment character.
11165
11166 @item IN
11167 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
11168 Same precedence as @code{<}.
11169
11170 @item OR
11171 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11172
11173 @item AND@r{, }&
11174 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11175
11176 @item @@
11177 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11178
11179 @item +@r{, }-
11180 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
11181 and difference on set types.
11182
11183 @item *
11184 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
11185 on set types.
11186
11187 @item /
11188 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
11189 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
11190
11191 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
11192 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
11193 precedence as @code{*}.
11194
11195 @item -
11196 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
11197
11198 @item ^
11199 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
11200
11201 @item NOT
11202 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11203 @code{^}.
11204
11205 @item .
11206 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11207 precedence as @code{^}.
11208
11209 @item []
11210 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11211
11212 @item ()
11213 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11214 as @code{^}.
11215
11216 @item ::@r{, }.
11217 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11218 @end table
11219
11220 @quotation
11221 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11222 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11223 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11224 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11225 @end quotation
11226
11227
11228 @node Built-In Func/Proc
11229 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11230 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
11231
11232 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
11233 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
11234
11235 @table @var
11236
11237 @item a
11238 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
11239
11240 @item c
11241 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
11242
11243 @item i
11244 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
11245
11246 @item m
11247 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
11248 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
11249 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
11250
11251 @item n
11252 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
11253
11254 @item r
11255 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
11256
11257 @item t
11258 represents a type.
11259
11260 @item v
11261 represents a variable.
11262
11263 @item x
11264 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
11265 explanation of the function for details.
11266 @end table
11267
11268 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
11269
11270 @table @code
11271 @item ABS(@var{n})
11272 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
11273
11274 @item CAP(@var{c})
11275 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
11276 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
11277
11278 @item CHR(@var{i})
11279 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11280
11281 @item DEC(@var{v})
11282 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11283
11284 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
11285 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11286 new value.
11287
11288 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11289 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
11290 set.
11291
11292 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
11293 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
11294
11295 @item HIGH(@var{a})
11296 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
11297
11298 @item INC(@var{v})
11299 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11300
11301 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
11302 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11303 new value.
11304
11305 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11306 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
11307 there. Returns the new set.
11308
11309 @item MAX(@var{t})
11310 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
11311
11312 @item MIN(@var{t})
11313 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
11314
11315 @item ODD(@var{i})
11316 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
11317
11318 @item ORD(@var{x})
11319 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
11320 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
11321 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
11322 integral, character and enumerated types.
11323
11324 @item SIZE(@var{x})
11325 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11326
11327 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
11328 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
11329
11330 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
11331 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11332
11333 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
11334 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11335 @end table
11336
11337 @quotation
11338 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
11339 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
11340 an error.
11341 @end quotation
11342
11343 @cindex Modula-2 constants
11344 @node M2 Constants
11345 @subsubsection Constants
11346
11347 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
11348 ways:
11349
11350 @itemize @bullet
11351
11352 @item
11353 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
11354 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
11355 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
11356 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
11357
11358 @item
11359 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
11360 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
11361 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
11362 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
11363 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
11364 digits.
11365
11366 @item
11367 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
11368 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
11369 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
11370 followed by a @samp{C}.
11371
11372 @item
11373 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
11374 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
11375 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
11376 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
11377 sequences.
11378
11379 @item
11380 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
11381
11382 @item
11383 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
11384 @code{FALSE}.
11385
11386 @item
11387 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
11388
11389 @item
11390 Set constants are not yet supported.
11391 @end itemize
11392
11393 @node M2 Types
11394 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
11395 @cindex Modula-2 types
11396
11397 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
11398 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
11399 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
11400 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
11401 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
11402 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
11403
11404 The first example contains the following section of code:
11405
11406 @smallexample
11407 VAR
11408 s: SET OF CHAR ;
11409 r: [20..40] ;
11410 @end smallexample
11411
11412 @noindent
11413 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
11414 @code{r} and @code{s}.
11415
11416 @smallexample
11417 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11418 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
11419 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11420 SET OF CHAR
11421 (@value{GDBP}) print r
11422 21
11423 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
11424 [20..40]
11425 @end smallexample
11426
11427 @noindent
11428 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
11429
11430 @smallexample
11431 VAR
11432 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
11433 @end smallexample
11434
11435 @noindent
11436 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
11437
11438 @smallexample
11439 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11440 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
11441 @end smallexample
11442
11443 @noindent
11444 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
11445 expressions using the debugger.
11446
11447 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
11448 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
11449
11450 @smallexample
11451 VAR
11452 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
11453 @end smallexample
11454
11455 @smallexample
11456 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11457 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
11458 @end smallexample
11459
11460 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
11461 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
11462 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
11463 above.
11464
11465 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
11466
11467 @smallexample
11468 TYPE
11469 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
11470 t = [blue..yellow] ;
11471 VAR
11472 s: t ;
11473 BEGIN
11474 s := blue ;
11475 @end smallexample
11476
11477 @noindent
11478 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
11479 and value of a variable.
11480
11481 @smallexample
11482 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11483 $1 = blue
11484 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
11485 type = [blue..yellow]
11486 @end smallexample
11487
11488 @noindent
11489 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
11490 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
11491 their @code{C} counterparts.
11492
11493 @smallexample
11494 VAR
11495 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11496 BEGIN
11497 s[1] := 1 ;
11498 @end smallexample
11499
11500 @smallexample
11501 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11502 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
11503 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11504 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11505 @end smallexample
11506
11507 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
11508 pointer types as shown in this example:
11509
11510 @smallexample
11511 VAR
11512 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11513 BEGIN
11514 NEW(s) ;
11515 s^[1] := 1 ;
11516 @end smallexample
11517
11518 @noindent
11519 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
11520
11521 @smallexample
11522 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11523 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11524 @end smallexample
11525
11526 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
11527 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
11528 types:
11529
11530 @smallexample
11531 TYPE
11532 foo = RECORD
11533 f1: CARDINAL ;
11534 f2: CHAR ;
11535 f3: myarray ;
11536 END ;
11537
11538 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
11539 myrange = [-2..2] ;
11540 VAR
11541 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
11542 @end smallexample
11543
11544 @noindent
11545 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
11546 below.
11547
11548 @smallexample
11549 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11550 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
11551 f1 : CARDINAL;
11552 f2 : CHAR;
11553 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
11554 END
11555 @end smallexample
11556
11557 @node M2 Defaults
11558 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
11559 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
11560
11561 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
11562 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
11563 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11564 selected the working language.
11565
11566 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
11567 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
11568 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
11569 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
11570
11571 @node Deviations
11572 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
11573 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
11574
11575 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
11576 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
11577
11578 @itemize @bullet
11579 @item
11580 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
11581 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
11582 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
11583 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
11584 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
11585 returned a pointer.)
11586
11587 @item
11588 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
11589 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
11590 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
11591 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
11592
11593 @item
11594 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
11595 argument.
11596
11597 @item
11598 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
11599 @end itemize
11600
11601 @node M2 Checks
11602 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
11603 @cindex Modula-2 checks
11604
11605 @quotation
11606 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
11607 range checking.
11608 @end quotation
11609 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
11610
11611 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
11612
11613 @itemize @bullet
11614 @item
11615 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
11616 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
11617
11618 @item
11619 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
11620 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
11621 @end itemize
11622
11623 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
11624 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
11625
11626 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
11627 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
11628
11629 @node M2 Scope
11630 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11631 @cindex scope
11632 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
11633 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
11634 @ifinfo
11635 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
11636 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
11637 @end ifinfo
11638 @ifnotinfo
11639 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
11640 @end ifnotinfo
11641
11642 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
11643 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
11644 similar syntax:
11645
11646 @smallexample
11647
11648 @var{module} . @var{id}
11649 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
11650 @end smallexample
11651
11652 @noindent
11653 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
11654 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
11655 identifier within your program, except another module.
11656
11657 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
11658 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
11659 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
11660 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
11661
11662 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
11663 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
11664 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
11665 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
11666 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
11667 @var{module}.
11668
11669 @node GDB/M2
11670 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11671
11672 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
11673 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
11674 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
11675 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
11676 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
11677 analogue in Modula-2.
11678
11679 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
11680 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
11681 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
11682 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
11683 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
11684 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
11685
11686 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
11687 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
11688 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
11689
11690 @node Ada
11691 @subsection Ada
11692 @cindex Ada
11693
11694 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
11695 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
11696 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
11697 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11698 to be difficult.
11699
11700
11701 @cindex expressions in Ada
11702 @menu
11703 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
11704 and semantics supported by Ada mode
11705 in @value{GDBN}.
11706 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
11707 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
11708 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
11709 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
11710 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
11711 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
11712 @end menu
11713
11714 @node Ada Mode Intro
11715 @subsubsection Introduction
11716 @cindex Ada mode, general
11717
11718 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
11719 syntax, with some extensions.
11720 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
11721
11722 @itemize @bullet
11723 @item
11724 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
11725 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
11726 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
11727 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
11728
11729 @item
11730 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
11731 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
11732
11733 @item
11734 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
11735 @end itemize
11736
11737 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
11738 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
11739 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
11740 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
11741 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
11742
11743 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
11744 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
11745 was translated from an Ada source file.
11746
11747 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
11748 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
11749 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
11750 middle (to allow based literals).
11751
11752 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
11753 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
11754 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
11755 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
11756 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
11757 functions to procedures elsewhere.
11758
11759 @node Omissions from Ada
11760 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
11761 @cindex Ada, omissions from
11762
11763 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
11764
11765 @itemize @bullet
11766 @item
11767 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
11768
11769 @itemize @minus
11770 @item
11771 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
11772 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
11773
11774 @item
11775 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
11776
11777 @item
11778 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
11779
11780 @item
11781 @t{'Tag}.
11782
11783 @item
11784 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
11785 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
11786
11787 @item
11788 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
11789 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
11790
11791 @item
11792 @t{'Address}.
11793 @end itemize
11794
11795 @item
11796 The names in
11797 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
11798 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
11799 not currently available.
11800
11801 @item
11802 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
11803 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
11804 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
11805 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
11806 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
11807 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
11808 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
11809 indeterminate values.
11810
11811 @item
11812 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
11813 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
11814 are not implemented.
11815
11816 @item
11817 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
11818 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
11819 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
11820 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
11821 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
11822
11823 @smallexample
11824 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
11825 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
11826 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
11827 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
11828 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
11829 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
11830 @end smallexample
11831
11832 Changing a
11833 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
11834 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
11835 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
11836 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
11837 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
11838 declared to have a type such as:
11839
11840 @smallexample
11841 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
11842 Id : Integer;
11843 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
11844 end record;
11845 @end smallexample
11846
11847 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
11848 assignments:
11849
11850 @smallexample
11851 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
11852 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
11853 @end smallexample
11854
11855 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
11856 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
11857 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
11858 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
11859 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
11860 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
11861 redundant component associations, although which component values are
11862 assigned in such cases is not defined.
11863
11864 @item
11865 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
11866
11867 @item
11868 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
11869 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
11870 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
11871 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
11872 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
11873 the proper resolution.
11874
11875 @item
11876 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
11877
11878 @item
11879 Entry calls are not implemented.
11880
11881 @item
11882 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
11883 formats are not supported.
11884
11885 @item
11886 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
11887
11888 @item
11889 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
11890 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
11891 context.
11892 Should your program
11893 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
11894 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
11895 @end itemize
11896
11897 @node Additions to Ada
11898 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
11899 @cindex Ada, deviations from
11900
11901 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
11902 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
11903
11904 @itemize @bullet
11905 @item
11906 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
11907 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
11908 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
11909 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
11910 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
11911 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
11912 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
11913 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
11914
11915 @item
11916 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
11917 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
11918 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
11919
11920 @item
11921 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
11922 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
11923
11924 @item
11925 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
11926 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
11927 @end itemize
11928
11929 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
11930 additions specific to Ada:
11931
11932 @itemize @bullet
11933 @item
11934 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
11935 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
11936
11937 @smallexample
11938 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
11939 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
11940 @end smallexample
11941
11942 @item
11943 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
11944 the value of its right-hand operand.
11945 This allows, for example,
11946 complex conditional breaks:
11947
11948 @smallexample
11949 (@value{GDBP}) break f
11950 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
11951 @end smallexample
11952
11953 @item
11954 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
11955 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
11956 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
11957 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
11958 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
11959 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
11960 in strings. For example,
11961 @smallexample
11962 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
11963 @end smallexample
11964 @noindent
11965 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
11966 after each period.
11967
11968 @item
11969 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
11970 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
11971 to write
11972
11973 @smallexample
11974 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
11975 @end smallexample
11976
11977 @item
11978 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
11979 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
11980 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
11981 of 3 might print as
11982
11983 @smallexample
11984 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
11985 @end smallexample
11986
11987 @noindent
11988 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
11989 clause.
11990
11991 @item
11992 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
11993 multi-character subsequence of
11994 their names (an exact match gets preference).
11995 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
11996 in place of @t{a'length}.
11997
11998 @item
11999 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12000 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12001 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12002 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12003 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12004 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12005 For example,
12006 @smallexample
12007 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12008 @end smallexample
12009
12010 @item
12011 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12012 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12013 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12014 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12015 object.
12016
12017 @end itemize
12018
12019 @node Stopping Before Main Program
12020 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12021
12022 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12023 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12024 before reaching the main procedure.
12025 As defined in the Ada Reference
12026 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12027 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12028 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12029 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12030
12031 @node Ada Tasks
12032 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12033 @cindex Ada, tasking
12034
12035 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12036 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12037
12038 @table @code
12039 @kindex info tasks
12040 @item info tasks
12041 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12042
12043
12044 @smallexample
12045 @iftex
12046 @leftskip=0.5cm
12047 @end iftex
12048 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12049 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12050 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12051 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12052 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12053 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12054
12055 @end smallexample
12056
12057 @noindent
12058 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12059 task currently being inspected.
12060
12061 @table @asis
12062 @item ID
12063 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12064
12065 @item TID
12066 The Ada task ID.
12067
12068 @item P-ID
12069 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12070
12071 @item Pri
12072 The base priority of the task.
12073
12074 @item State
12075 Current state of the task.
12076
12077 @table @code
12078 @item Unactivated
12079 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
12080 executing.
12081
12082 @item Runnable
12083 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
12084 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
12085
12086 @item Terminated
12087 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
12088 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
12089 terminated themselves.
12090
12091 @item Child Activation Wait
12092 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
12093
12094 @item Accept Statement
12095 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
12096
12097 @item Waiting on entry call
12098 The task is waiting on an entry call.
12099
12100 @item Async Select Wait
12101 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
12102 select statement.
12103
12104 @item Delay Sleep
12105 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
12106 alternative open.
12107
12108 @item Child Termination Wait
12109 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
12110 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
12111 waiting on a terminate Phase.
12112
12113 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
12114 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
12115 finish terminating.
12116
12117 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
12118 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
12119 @end table
12120
12121 @item Name
12122 Name of the task in the program.
12123
12124 @end table
12125
12126 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
12127 @item info task @var{taskno}
12128 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
12129 the following example:
12130 @smallexample
12131 @iftex
12132 @leftskip=0.5cm
12133 @end iftex
12134 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12135 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12136 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12137 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
12138 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
12139 Ada Task: 0x807c468
12140 Name: task_1
12141 Thread: 0x807f378
12142 Parent: 1 (main_task)
12143 Base Priority: 15
12144 State: Runnable
12145 @end smallexample
12146
12147 @item task
12148 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
12149 @cindex current Ada task ID
12150 This command prints the ID of the current task.
12151
12152 @smallexample
12153 @iftex
12154 @leftskip=0.5cm
12155 @end iftex
12156 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12157 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12158 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12159 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12160 (@value{GDBP}) task
12161 [Current task is 2]
12162 @end smallexample
12163
12164 @item task @var{taskno}
12165 @cindex Ada task switching
12166 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
12167 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
12168 from the current task to the given task.
12169
12170 @smallexample
12171 @iftex
12172 @leftskip=0.5cm
12173 @end iftex
12174 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12175 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12176 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12177 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12178 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
12179 [Switching to task 1]
12180 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12181 (@value{GDBP}) bt
12182 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12183 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
12184 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
12185 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
12186 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
12187 @end smallexample
12188
12189 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
12190 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
12191 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
12192 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
12193 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
12194 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
12195 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
12196 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
12197 in @ref{Specify Location}.
12198
12199 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
12200 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
12201 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12202 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12203 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12204
12205 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12206 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12207 program.
12208
12209 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12210 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12211 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12212
12213 For example,
12214
12215 @smallexample
12216 @iftex
12217 @leftskip=0.5cm
12218 @end iftex
12219 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12220 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12221 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12222 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12223 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12224 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12225 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12226 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12227 (@value{GDBP}) cont
12228 Continuing.
12229 task # 1 running
12230 task # 2 running
12231
12232 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
12233 15 flush;
12234 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12235 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12236 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12237 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
12238 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12239 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
12240 @end smallexample
12241 @end table
12242
12243 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
12244 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12245 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
12246
12247 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
12248 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
12249 the platform being used.
12250 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
12251 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
12252 as usual.
12253
12254 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
12255 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
12256 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
12257 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
12258 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
12259 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
12260
12261 @node Ada Glitches
12262 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
12263 @cindex Ada, problems
12264
12265 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
12266 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
12267 @value{GDBN},
12268 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
12269 and the GNU Ada compiler.
12270
12271 @itemize @bullet
12272 @item
12273 Currently, the debugger
12274 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
12275 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
12276 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
12277 to get it printed properly.
12278
12279 @item
12280 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
12281 storage are invisible to the debugger.
12282
12283 @item
12284 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
12285 argument lists are treated as positional).
12286
12287 @item
12288 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
12289
12290 @item
12291 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
12292 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
12293 the host machine.
12294
12295 @item
12296 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
12297 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
12298 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
12299 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
12300 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
12301 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
12302 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
12303 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
12304 you can usually resolve the confusion
12305 by qualifying the problematic names with package
12306 @code{Standard} explicitly.
12307 @end itemize
12308
12309 @node Unsupported Languages
12310 @section Unsupported Languages
12311
12312 @cindex unsupported languages
12313 @cindex minimal language
12314 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
12315 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
12316 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
12317 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
12318 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
12319 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
12320
12321 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
12322 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
12323 language.
12324
12325 @node Symbols
12326 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
12327
12328 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
12329 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
12330 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
12331 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
12332 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
12333 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
12334 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
12335
12336 @cindex symbol names
12337 @cindex names of symbols
12338 @cindex quoting names
12339 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
12340 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
12341 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
12342 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
12343 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
12344 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
12345 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
12346 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
12347
12348 @smallexample
12349 p 'foo.c'::x
12350 @end smallexample
12351
12352 @noindent
12353 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
12354
12355 @table @code
12356 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
12357 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
12358 @kindex set case-sensitive
12359 @item set case-sensitive on
12360 @itemx set case-sensitive off
12361 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
12362 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
12363 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
12364 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
12365 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
12366 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
12367 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
12368 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
12369 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
12370 case-insensitive matches.
12371
12372 @kindex show case-sensitive
12373 @item show case-sensitive
12374 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
12375 lookups.
12376
12377 @kindex info address
12378 @cindex address of a symbol
12379 @item info address @var{symbol}
12380 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
12381 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
12382 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
12383 is always stored.
12384
12385 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
12386 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
12387 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
12388
12389 @kindex info symbol
12390 @cindex symbol from address
12391 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
12392 @item info symbol @var{addr}
12393 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
12394 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
12395 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
12396
12397 @smallexample
12398 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
12399 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
12400 @end smallexample
12401
12402 @noindent
12403 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
12404 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
12405
12406 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
12407 library containing the symbol is also printed:
12408
12409 @smallexample
12410 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
12411 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
12412 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
12413 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
12414 @end smallexample
12415
12416 @kindex whatis
12417 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
12418 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
12419 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
12420 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
12421 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
12422 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
12423 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
12424 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
12425 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
12426 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
12427 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12428
12429 @kindex ptype
12430 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
12431 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
12432 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
12433 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12434
12435 For example, for this variable declaration:
12436
12437 @smallexample
12438 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
12439 @end smallexample
12440
12441 @noindent
12442 the two commands give this output:
12443
12444 @smallexample
12445 @group
12446 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
12447 type = struct complex
12448 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
12449 type = struct complex @{
12450 double real;
12451 double imag;
12452 @}
12453 @end group
12454 @end smallexample
12455
12456 @noindent
12457 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
12458 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
12459
12460 @cindex incomplete type
12461 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
12462 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
12463 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
12464 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
12465 given these declarations:
12466
12467 @smallexample
12468 struct foo;
12469 struct foo *fooptr;
12470 @end smallexample
12471
12472 @noindent
12473 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
12474
12475 @smallexample
12476 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
12477 $1 = <incomplete type>
12478 @end smallexample
12479
12480 @noindent
12481 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
12482 completely specified.
12483
12484 @kindex info types
12485 @item info types @var{regexp}
12486 @itemx info types
12487 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
12488 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
12489 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
12490 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
12491 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
12492 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
12493 name is @code{value}.
12494
12495 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
12496 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
12497 lists all source files where a type is defined.
12498
12499 @kindex info scope
12500 @cindex local variables
12501 @item info scope @var{location}
12502 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
12503 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
12504 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
12505 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
12506 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
12507
12508 @smallexample
12509 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
12510 Scope for command_line_handler:
12511 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
12512 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
12513 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
12514 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
12515 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
12516 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
12517 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
12518 @end smallexample
12519
12520 @noindent
12521 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
12522 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
12523 collect}.
12524
12525 @kindex info source
12526 @item info source
12527 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
12528 the function containing the current point of execution:
12529 @itemize @bullet
12530 @item
12531 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
12532 @item
12533 the directory it was compiled in,
12534 @item
12535 its length, in lines,
12536 @item
12537 which programming language it is written in,
12538 @item
12539 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
12540 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
12541 @item
12542 whether the debugging information includes information about
12543 preprocessor macros.
12544 @end itemize
12545
12546
12547 @kindex info sources
12548 @item info sources
12549 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
12550 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
12551 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
12552
12553 @kindex info functions
12554 @item info functions
12555 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
12556
12557 @item info functions @var{regexp}
12558 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
12559 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
12560 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
12561 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
12562 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
12563 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
12564 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
12565
12566 @kindex info variables
12567 @item info variables
12568 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
12569 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
12570
12571 @item info variables @var{regexp}
12572 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
12573 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
12574 @var{regexp}.
12575
12576 @kindex info classes
12577 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
12578 @item info classes
12579 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
12580 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
12581 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
12582 expression.
12583
12584 @kindex info selectors
12585 @item info selectors
12586 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
12587 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
12588 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
12589 expression.
12590
12591 @ignore
12592 This was never implemented.
12593 @kindex info methods
12594 @item info methods
12595 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
12596 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
12597 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
12598 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
12599 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
12600 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
12601 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
12602 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
12603 @end ignore
12604
12605 @cindex reloading symbols
12606 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
12607 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
12608 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
12609 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
12610 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
12611
12612 @table @code
12613 @kindex set symbol-reloading
12614 @item set symbol-reloading on
12615 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
12616 object file with a particular name is seen again.
12617
12618 @item set symbol-reloading off
12619 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
12620 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
12621 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
12622 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
12623 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
12624 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
12625 name.
12626
12627 @kindex show symbol-reloading
12628 @item show symbol-reloading
12629 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
12630 @end table
12631
12632 @cindex opaque data types
12633 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
12634 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
12635 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
12636 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
12637 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
12638 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
12639 another source file. The default is on.
12640
12641 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
12642 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
12643
12644 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
12645 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
12646 is printed as follows:
12647 @smallexample
12648 @{<no data fields>@}
12649 @end smallexample
12650
12651 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
12652 @item show opaque-type-resolution
12653 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
12654
12655 @kindex maint print symbols
12656 @cindex symbol dump
12657 @kindex maint print psymbols
12658 @cindex partial symbol dump
12659 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
12660 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
12661 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
12662 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
12663 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
12664 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
12665 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
12666 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
12667 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
12668 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
12669 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
12670 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
12671 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
12672 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
12673 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
12674 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
12675 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
12676
12677 @kindex maint info symtabs
12678 @kindex maint info psymtabs
12679 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
12680 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12681 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12682 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12683 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
12684 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
12685
12686 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
12687 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
12688 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
12689 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
12690 structure in more detail. For example:
12691
12692 @smallexample
12693 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
12694 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
12695 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
12696 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
12697 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
12698 readin no
12699 fullname (null)
12700 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
12701 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
12702 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
12703 dependencies (none)
12704 @}
12705 @}
12706 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
12707 (@value{GDBP})
12708 @end smallexample
12709 @noindent
12710 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
12711 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
12712 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
12713 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
12714 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
12715
12716 @smallexample
12717 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
12718 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
12719 line 1574.
12720 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
12721 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
12722 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
12723 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
12724 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
12725 dirname (null)
12726 fullname (null)
12727 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
12728 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
12729 debugformat DWARF 2
12730 @}
12731 @}
12732 (@value{GDBP})
12733 @end smallexample
12734 @end table
12735
12736
12737 @node Altering
12738 @chapter Altering Execution
12739
12740 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
12741 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
12742 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
12743 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
12744 program.
12745
12746 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
12747 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
12748 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
12749
12750 @menu
12751 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
12752 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
12753 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
12754 * Returning:: Returning from a function
12755 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
12756 * Patching:: Patching your program
12757 @end menu
12758
12759 @node Assignment
12760 @section Assignment to Variables
12761
12762 @cindex assignment
12763 @cindex setting variables
12764 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
12765 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
12766
12767 @smallexample
12768 print x=4
12769 @end smallexample
12770
12771 @noindent
12772 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
12773 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
12774 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
12775 information on operators in supported languages.
12776
12777 @kindex set variable
12778 @cindex variables, setting
12779 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
12780 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
12781 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
12782 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
12783 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
12784
12785 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
12786 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
12787 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
12788 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
12789 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
12790 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
12791 command @code{set width}:
12792
12793 @smallexample
12794 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
12795 type = double
12796 (@value{GDBP}) p width
12797 $4 = 13
12798 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
12799 Invalid syntax in expression.
12800 @end smallexample
12801
12802 @noindent
12803 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
12804 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
12805
12806 @smallexample
12807 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
12808 @end smallexample
12809
12810 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
12811 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
12812 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
12813 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
12814 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
12815 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
12816
12817 @smallexample
12818 @group
12819 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
12820 type = double
12821 (@value{GDBP}) p g
12822 $1 = 1
12823 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
12824 (@value{GDBP}) p g
12825 $2 = 1
12826 (@value{GDBP}) r
12827 The program being debugged has been started already.
12828 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
12829 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
12830 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
12831 Invalid bfd target.
12832 (@value{GDBP}) show g
12833 The current BFD target is "=4".
12834 @end group
12835 @end smallexample
12836
12837 @noindent
12838 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
12839 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
12840 @code{g}, use
12841
12842 @smallexample
12843 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
12844 @end smallexample
12845
12846 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
12847 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
12848 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
12849 same length or shorter.
12850 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
12851 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
12852
12853 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
12854 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
12855 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
12856 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
12857 and representation in memory), and
12858
12859 @smallexample
12860 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
12861 @end smallexample
12862
12863 @noindent
12864 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
12865
12866 @node Jumping
12867 @section Continuing at a Different Address
12868
12869 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
12870 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
12871 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
12872
12873 @table @code
12874 @kindex jump
12875 @item jump @var{linespec}
12876 @itemx jump @var{location}
12877 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
12878 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
12879 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
12880 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
12881 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
12882 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12883
12884 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
12885 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
12886 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
12887 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
12888 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
12889 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
12890 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
12891 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
12892 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
12893 @end table
12894
12895 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
12896 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
12897 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
12898 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
12899 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
12900 example,
12901
12902 @smallexample
12903 set $pc = 0x485
12904 @end smallexample
12905
12906 @noindent
12907 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
12908 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
12909 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
12910
12911 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
12912 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
12913 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
12914 detail.
12915
12916 @c @group
12917 @node Signaling
12918 @section Giving your Program a Signal
12919 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
12920
12921 @table @code
12922 @kindex signal
12923 @item signal @var{signal}
12924 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
12925 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
12926 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
12927 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
12928
12929 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
12930 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
12931 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
12932 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
12933 signal.
12934
12935 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
12936 after executing the command.
12937 @end table
12938 @c @end group
12939
12940 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
12941 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
12942 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
12943 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
12944 passes the signal directly to your program.
12945
12946
12947 @node Returning
12948 @section Returning from a Function
12949
12950 @table @code
12951 @cindex returning from a function
12952 @kindex return
12953 @item return
12954 @itemx return @var{expression}
12955 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
12956 command. If you give an
12957 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
12958 value.
12959 @end table
12960
12961 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
12962 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
12963 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
12964 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
12965
12966 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
12967 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
12968 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
12969 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
12970 of functions.
12971
12972 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
12973 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
12974 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
12975 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
12976 selected stack frame returns naturally.
12977
12978 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
12979 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
12980 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
12981 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
12982 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
12983 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
12984 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
12985 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
12986 assignment into the right register(s).
12987
12988 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
12989 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
12990 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
12991 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
12992 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
12993 into a @code{long long int}:
12994
12995 @smallexample
12996 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
12997 29 return 31;
12998 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
12999 Make func return now? (y or n) y
13000 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
13001 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13002 (@value{GDBP})
13003 @end smallexample
13004
13005 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13006 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13007 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13008 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13009 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13010 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13011 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13012 an appropriate cast explicitly:
13013
13014 @smallexample
13015 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13016 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13017 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13018 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13019 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13020 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13021 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
13022 (@value{GDBP})
13023 @end smallexample
13024
13025 @node Calling
13026 @section Calling Program Functions
13027
13028 @table @code
13029 @cindex calling functions
13030 @cindex inferior functions, calling
13031 @item print @var{expr}
13032 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13033 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13034 debugged.
13035
13036 @kindex call
13037 @item call @var{expr}
13038 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13039 returned values.
13040
13041 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13042 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13043 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13044 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13045 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13046 value history.
13047 @end table
13048
13049 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13050 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
13051 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
13052 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
13053
13054 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
13055 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
13056 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
13057 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
13058 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
13059 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
13060 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
13061 in that case is controlled by the
13062 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
13063
13064 @table @code
13065 @item set unwindonsignal
13066 @kindex set unwindonsignal
13067 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
13068 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
13069 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
13070 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
13071 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
13072 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
13073 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
13074 received.
13075
13076 @item show unwindonsignal
13077 @kindex show unwindonsignal
13078 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13079 @value{GDBN}.
13080
13081 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13082 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13083 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
13084 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
13085 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
13086 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
13087 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
13088 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
13089 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
13090 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
13091
13092 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13093 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13094 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13095 @value{GDBN}.
13096
13097 @end table
13098
13099 @cindex weak alias functions
13100 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
13101 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
13102 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
13103 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
13104 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
13105 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
13106 function instead.
13107
13108 @node Patching
13109 @section Patching Programs
13110
13111 @cindex patching binaries
13112 @cindex writing into executables
13113 @cindex writing into corefiles
13114
13115 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
13116 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
13117 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
13118 patching your program's binary.
13119
13120 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
13121 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
13122 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
13123 repairs.
13124
13125 @table @code
13126 @kindex set write
13127 @item set write on
13128 @itemx set write off
13129 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
13130 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
13131 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
13132
13133 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
13134 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
13135 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
13136
13137 @item show write
13138 @kindex show write
13139 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
13140 as well as reading.
13141 @end table
13142
13143 @node GDB Files
13144 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
13145
13146 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
13147 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
13148 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
13149 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
13150
13151 @menu
13152 * Files:: Commands to specify files
13153 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
13154 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
13155 * Data Files:: GDB data files
13156 @end menu
13157
13158 @node Files
13159 @section Commands to Specify Files
13160
13161 @cindex symbol table
13162 @cindex core dump file
13163
13164 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
13165 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
13166 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
13167 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
13168
13169 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
13170 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
13171 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
13172 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
13173 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
13174 new files are useful.
13175
13176 @table @code
13177 @cindex executable file
13178 @kindex file
13179 @item file @var{filename}
13180 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
13181 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
13182 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
13183 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
13184 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
13185 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
13186 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
13187 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
13188
13189 @cindex unlinked object files
13190 @cindex patching object files
13191 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
13192 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
13193 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
13194 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
13195 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
13196 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
13197 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
13198 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
13199
13200 @item file
13201 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
13202 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
13203
13204 @kindex exec-file
13205 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13206 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
13207 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
13208 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
13209 discard information on the executable file.
13210
13211 @kindex symbol-file
13212 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13213 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
13214 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
13215 table and program to run from the same file.
13216
13217 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
13218 program's symbol table.
13219
13220 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
13221 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
13222 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
13223 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
13224 @value{GDBN}.
13225
13226 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
13227 executing it once.
13228
13229 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
13230 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
13231 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
13232 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
13233 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
13234 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
13235 optimized code.
13236
13237 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
13238 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
13239 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
13240 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
13241 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
13242
13243 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
13244 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
13245 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
13246 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
13247 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
13248 Warnings and Messages}.)
13249
13250 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
13251 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
13252 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
13253 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
13254 in stabs format.
13255
13256 @kindex readnow
13257 @cindex reading symbols immediately
13258 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
13259 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13260 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13261 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
13262 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
13263 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
13264 entire symbol table available.
13265
13266 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
13267 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
13268 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
13269 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
13270 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
13271 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
13272 @c files.
13273
13274 @kindex core-file
13275 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
13276 @itemx core
13277 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
13278 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
13279 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
13280 executable file itself for other parts.
13281
13282 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
13283 to be used.
13284
13285 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
13286 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
13287 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
13288 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
13289 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
13290
13291 @kindex add-symbol-file
13292 @cindex dynamic linking
13293 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
13294 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13295 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
13296 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
13297 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
13298 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
13299 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
13300 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
13301 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
13302 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
13303 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
13304 @var{address} as an expression.
13305
13306 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
13307 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
13308 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
13309 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
13310 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
13311
13312 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
13313 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
13314 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
13315 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
13316 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
13317 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
13318 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
13319 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
13320 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
13321
13322 @itemize @bullet
13323 @item
13324 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
13325 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
13326 @item
13327 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
13328 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
13329 @item
13330 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
13331 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
13332 @end itemize
13333
13334 @noindent
13335 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
13336 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
13337 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
13338 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
13339 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
13340 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
13341 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
13342 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
13343 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
13344 way.
13345
13346 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
13347
13348 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
13349 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
13350 @cindex load symbols from memory
13351 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
13352 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
13353 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
13354 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
13355 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
13356 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
13357 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
13358 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
13359 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
13360
13361 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
13362 @kindex assf
13363 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
13364 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
13365 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
13366 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
13367 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
13368 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
13369 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
13370 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
13371 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
13372 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
13373
13374 @kindex section
13375 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
13376 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
13377 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
13378 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
13379 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
13380 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
13381 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
13382 their addresses.
13383
13384 @kindex info files
13385 @kindex info target
13386 @item info files
13387 @itemx info target
13388 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
13389 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
13390 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
13391 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
13392 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
13393 current ones.
13394
13395 @kindex maint info sections
13396 @item maint info sections
13397 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
13398 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
13399 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
13400 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
13401 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
13402 may be arbitrarily combined):
13403
13404 @table @code
13405 @item ALLOBJ
13406 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
13407 @item @var{sections}
13408 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
13409 @item @var{section-flags}
13410 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
13411 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
13412 @table @code
13413 @item ALLOC
13414 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
13415 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
13416 @item LOAD
13417 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
13418 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
13419 @item RELOC
13420 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
13421 @item READONLY
13422 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
13423 @item CODE
13424 Section contains executable code only.
13425 @item DATA
13426 Section contains data only (no executable code).
13427 @item ROM
13428 Section will reside in ROM.
13429 @item CONSTRUCTOR
13430 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
13431 @item HAS_CONTENTS
13432 Section is not empty.
13433 @item NEVER_LOAD
13434 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
13435 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
13436 A notification to the linker that the section contains
13437 COFF shared library information.
13438 @item IS_COMMON
13439 Section contains common symbols.
13440 @end table
13441 @end table
13442 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
13443 @cindex read-only sections
13444 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
13445 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
13446 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
13447 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
13448 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
13449 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
13450 enhancement to debugging performance.
13451
13452 The default is off.
13453
13454 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
13455 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
13456 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
13457 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
13458
13459 @item show trust-readonly-sections
13460 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
13461 @end table
13462
13463 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
13464 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
13465 name and remembers it that way.
13466
13467 @cindex shared libraries
13468 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
13469 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
13470 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
13471
13472 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
13473 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
13474
13475 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
13476 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
13477 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
13478 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
13479 debugging a core file).
13480
13481 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
13482 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
13483
13484 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
13485 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
13486 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
13487
13488 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
13489 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
13490 particularly large or there are many of them.
13491
13492 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
13493 commands:
13494
13495 @table @code
13496 @kindex set auto-solib-add
13497 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
13498 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
13499 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
13500 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
13501 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
13502 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
13503 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
13504
13505 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
13506 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
13507 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
13508 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
13509 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
13510 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
13511 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
13512 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
13513 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
13514
13515 @kindex show auto-solib-add
13516 @item show auto-solib-add
13517 Display the current autoloading mode.
13518 @end table
13519
13520 @cindex load shared library
13521 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
13522 command:
13523
13524 @table @code
13525 @kindex info sharedlibrary
13526 @kindex info share
13527 @item info share @var{regex}
13528 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13529 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
13530 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
13531 all shared libraries that are loaded.
13532
13533 @kindex sharedlibrary
13534 @kindex share
13535 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13536 @itemx share @var{regex}
13537 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
13538 Unix regular expression.
13539 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
13540 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
13541 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
13542 loaded.
13543
13544 @item nosharedlibrary
13545 @kindex nosharedlibrary
13546 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
13547 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
13548 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
13549 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
13550 discarded.
13551 @end table
13552
13553 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
13554 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
13555 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
13556
13557 @table @code
13558 @item set stop-on-solib-events
13559 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
13560 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
13561 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
13562 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
13563 shared library.
13564
13565 @item show stop-on-solib-events
13566 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
13567 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
13568 library events happen.
13569 @end table
13570
13571 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
13572 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
13573 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
13574 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
13575 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
13576 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
13577 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
13578 not.
13579
13580 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
13581 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
13582 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
13583 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
13584 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
13585
13586 @table @code
13587 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
13588 @cindex system root, alternate
13589 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
13590 @kindex set sysroot
13591 @item set sysroot @var{path}
13592 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
13593 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
13594 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
13595 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
13596 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
13597 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
13598 under @var{path}.
13599
13600 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
13601 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
13602 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
13603 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
13604 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
13605 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
13606 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
13607 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
13608 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
13609
13610 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
13611 sysroot}.
13612
13613 @cindex default system root
13614 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
13615 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
13616 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
13617 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
13618 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
13619 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
13620 location.
13621
13622 @kindex show sysroot
13623 @item show sysroot
13624 Display the current shared library prefix.
13625
13626 @kindex set solib-search-path
13627 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
13628 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
13629 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
13630 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
13631 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
13632 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
13633 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
13634 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
13635 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
13636 of shared library symbols.
13637
13638 @kindex show solib-search-path
13639 @item show solib-search-path
13640 Display the current shared library search path.
13641 @end table
13642
13643
13644 @node Separate Debug Files
13645 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
13646 @cindex separate debugging information files
13647 @cindex debugging information in separate files
13648 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
13649 @cindex debugging information directory, global
13650 @cindex global debugging information directory
13651 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
13652 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
13653
13654 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
13655 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
13656 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
13657 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
13658 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
13659 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
13660 install only when they need to debug a problem.
13661
13662 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
13663 file:
13664
13665 @itemize @bullet
13666 @item
13667 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
13668 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
13669 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
13670 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
13671 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
13672 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
13673 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
13674 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
13675
13676 @item
13677 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
13678 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
13679 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
13680 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
13681 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
13682 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
13683 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
13684 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
13685 below.
13686 @end itemize
13687
13688 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
13689 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
13690
13691 @itemize @bullet
13692 @item
13693 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
13694 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
13695 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
13696 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
13697 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
13698
13699 @item
13700 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
13701 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
13702 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
13703 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
13704 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
13705 hex characters, not 10.)
13706 @end itemize
13707
13708 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
13709 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
13710 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
13711 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
13712 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
13713 debug information files, in the indicated order:
13714
13715 @itemize @minus
13716 @item
13717 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
13718 @item
13719 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
13720 @item
13721 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
13722 @item
13723 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
13724 @end itemize
13725
13726 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
13727 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
13728
13729 @table @code
13730
13731 @kindex set debug-file-directory
13732 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directory}
13733 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
13734 information files to @var{directory}.
13735
13736 @kindex show debug-file-directory
13737 @item show debug-file-directory
13738 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
13739 information files.
13740
13741 @end table
13742
13743 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
13744 @cindex debug link sections
13745 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
13746 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
13747
13748 @itemize
13749 @item
13750 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
13751 a zero byte,
13752 @item
13753 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
13754 boundary within the section, and
13755 @item
13756 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
13757 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
13758 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
13759 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
13760 @end itemize
13761
13762 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
13763 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
13764 described above.
13765
13766 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
13767 @cindex build ID sections
13768 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
13769 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
13770 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
13771 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
13772 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
13773 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
13774 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
13775 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
13776 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
13777
13778 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
13779 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
13780 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
13781 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
13782 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
13783 in an ordinary executable.
13784
13785 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
13786 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
13787 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
13788 following commands:
13789
13790 @smallexample
13791 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
13792 @kbd{strip -g foo}
13793 @end smallexample
13794
13795 @noindent
13796 These commands remove the debugging
13797 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
13798 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
13799 two files:
13800
13801 @itemize @bullet
13802 @item
13803 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
13804 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
13805
13806 @smallexample
13807 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
13808 @end smallexample
13809
13810 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
13811 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
13812 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
13813 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
13814
13815 @item
13816 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
13817 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
13818 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
13819 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
13820 @end itemize
13821
13822 @noindent
13823
13824 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
13825 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
13826 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
13827
13828 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
13829 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
13830 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
13831 @c different ways!
13832 @ifhtml
13833 @display
13834 @html
13835 <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>
13836 + <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
13837 @end html
13838 @end display
13839 @end ifhtml
13840 @ifnothtml
13841 @display
13842 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
13843 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
13844 @end display
13845 @end ifnothtml
13846
13847 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
13848 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
13849 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
13850 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
13851 CRC.
13852
13853 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
13854 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
13855 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
13856 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
13857 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
13858 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
13859
13860 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
13861 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
13862 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
13863 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
13864 @code{0xffffffff}.
13865
13866 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
13867 @smallexample
13868 unsigned long
13869 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
13870 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
13871 @{
13872 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
13873 @{
13874 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
13875 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
13876 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
13877 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
13878 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
13879 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
13880 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
13881 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
13882 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
13883 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
13884 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
13885 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
13886 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
13887 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
13888 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
13889 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
13890 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
13891 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
13892 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
13893 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
13894 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
13895 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
13896 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
13897 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
13898 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
13899 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
13900 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
13901 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
13902 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
13903 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
13904 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
13905 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
13906 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
13907 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
13908 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
13909 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
13910 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
13911 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
13912 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
13913 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
13914 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
13915 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
13916 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
13917 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
13918 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
13919 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
13920 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
13921 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
13922 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
13923 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
13924 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
13925 0x2d02ef8d
13926 @};
13927 unsigned char *end;
13928
13929 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
13930 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
13931 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
13932 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
13933 @}
13934 @end smallexample
13935
13936 @noindent
13937 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
13938
13939
13940 @node Symbol Errors
13941 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
13942
13943 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
13944 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
13945 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
13946 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
13947 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
13948 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
13949 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
13950 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
13951 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
13952 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
13953 Messages}).
13954
13955 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
13956
13957 @table @code
13958 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
13959
13960 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
13961 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
13962 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
13963 in its outer scope blocks.
13964
13965 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
13966 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
13967 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
13968 function.
13969
13970 @item block at @var{address} out of order
13971
13972 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
13973 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
13974 do so.
13975
13976 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
13977 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
13978 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
13979 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
13980 Messages}.)
13981
13982 @item bad block start address patched
13983
13984 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
13985 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
13986 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
13987
13988 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
13989 starting on the previous source line.
13990
13991 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
13992
13993 @cindex foo
13994 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
13995 larger than the size of the string table.
13996
13997 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
13998 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
13999 with this name.
14000
14001 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
14002
14003 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
14004 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
14005 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
14006
14007 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
14008 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
14009 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
14010 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
14011 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
14012 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
14013
14014 @item stub type has NULL name
14015
14016 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
14017
14018 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
14019 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
14020 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
14021 it.
14022
14023 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
14024
14025 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
14026
14027 @end table
14028
14029 @node Data Files
14030 @section GDB Data Files
14031
14032 @cindex prefix for data files
14033 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
14034 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
14035
14036 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
14037 is currently using.
14038
14039 @table @code
14040 @kindex set data-directory
14041 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
14042 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
14043 to @var{directory}.
14044
14045 @kindex show data-directory
14046 @item show data-directory
14047 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
14048 @end table
14049
14050 @cindex default data directory
14051 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
14052 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
14053 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
14054 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14055 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
14056 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14057 location.
14058
14059 @node Targets
14060 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
14061
14062 @cindex debugging target
14063 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
14064
14065 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
14066 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
14067 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
14068 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
14069 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
14070 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
14071 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
14072 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
14073
14074 @cindex target architecture
14075 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
14076 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
14077 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
14078 command.
14079
14080 @table @code
14081 @kindex set architecture
14082 @kindex show architecture
14083 @item set architecture @var{arch}
14084 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
14085 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
14086 supported architectures.
14087
14088 @item show architecture
14089 Show the current target architecture.
14090
14091 @item set processor
14092 @itemx processor
14093 @kindex set processor
14094 @kindex show processor
14095 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
14096 and @code{show architecture}.
14097 @end table
14098
14099 @menu
14100 * Active Targets:: Active targets
14101 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
14102 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
14103 @end menu
14104
14105 @node Active Targets
14106 @section Active Targets
14107
14108 @cindex stacking targets
14109 @cindex active targets
14110 @cindex multiple targets
14111
14112 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
14113 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
14114 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
14115 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
14116 a core file.
14117
14118 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
14119 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
14120 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
14121 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
14122 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
14123 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
14124 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
14125 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
14126 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
14127
14128 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
14129 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
14130 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
14131 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
14132 process target is active.
14133
14134 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
14135 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
14136 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
14137 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
14138 Process}).
14139
14140 @node Target Commands
14141 @section Commands for Managing Targets
14142
14143 @table @code
14144 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
14145 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
14146 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
14147 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
14148 protocol of the target machine.
14149
14150 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
14151 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
14152 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
14153
14154 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
14155 after executing the command.
14156
14157 @kindex help target
14158 @item help target
14159 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
14160 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
14161 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14162
14163 @item help target @var{name}
14164 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
14165 select it.
14166
14167 @kindex set gnutarget
14168 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
14169 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
14170 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
14171 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
14172 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
14173 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
14174
14175 @quotation
14176 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
14177 you must know the actual BFD name.
14178 @end quotation
14179
14180 @noindent
14181 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
14182
14183 @kindex show gnutarget
14184 @item show gnutarget
14185 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
14186 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
14187 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
14188 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
14189 @end table
14190
14191 @cindex common targets
14192 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
14193 configuration):
14194
14195 @table @code
14196 @kindex target
14197 @item target exec @var{program}
14198 @cindex executable file target
14199 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
14200 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
14201
14202 @item target core @var{filename}
14203 @cindex core dump file target
14204 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
14205 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
14206
14207 @item target remote @var{medium}
14208 @cindex remote target
14209 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
14210 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
14211 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
14212
14213 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
14214 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
14215
14216 @smallexample
14217 target remote /dev/ttya
14218 @end smallexample
14219
14220 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
14221 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
14222 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
14223 clobbered by the download.
14224
14225 @item target sim
14226 @cindex built-in simulator target
14227 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
14228 In general,
14229 @smallexample
14230 target sim
14231 load
14232 run
14233 @end smallexample
14234 @noindent
14235 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
14236 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
14237 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
14238 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
14239 Processors}.
14240
14241 @end table
14242
14243 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
14244
14245 @table @code
14246
14247 @item target nrom @var{dev}
14248 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
14249 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
14250
14251 @end table
14252
14253 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
14254 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
14255
14256 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
14257 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
14258 various aspects of this process.
14259
14260 @table @code
14261
14262 @item set hash
14263 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14264 @cindex hash mark while downloading
14265 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
14266 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
14267 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
14268 monitor.
14269
14270 @item show hash
14271 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14272 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
14273
14274 @item set debug monitor
14275 @kindex set debug monitor
14276 @cindex display remote monitor communications
14277 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
14278 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14279
14280 @item show debug monitor
14281 @kindex show debug monitor
14282 Show the current status of displaying communications between
14283 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14284 @end table
14285
14286 @table @code
14287
14288 @kindex load @var{filename}
14289 @item load @var{filename}
14290 @anchor{load}
14291 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
14292 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
14293 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
14294 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
14295 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
14296 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14297
14298 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
14299 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
14300 target is @dots{}}''
14301
14302 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
14303 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
14304 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
14305 specifies a fixed address.
14306 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
14307
14308 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
14309 load programs into flash memory.
14310
14311 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
14312 @end table
14313
14314 @node Byte Order
14315 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
14316
14317 @cindex choosing target byte order
14318 @cindex target byte order
14319
14320 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
14321 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
14322 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
14323 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
14324 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
14325 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
14326
14327 @table @code
14328 @kindex set endian
14329 @item set endian big
14330 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
14331
14332 @item set endian little
14333 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
14334
14335 @item set endian auto
14336 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
14337 executable.
14338
14339 @item show endian
14340 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
14341
14342 @end table
14343
14344 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
14345 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
14346 target system.
14347
14348
14349 @node Remote Debugging
14350 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
14351 @cindex remote debugging
14352
14353 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
14354 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
14355 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
14356 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
14357 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
14358
14359 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
14360 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
14361 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
14362 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
14363 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
14364 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
14365
14366 Other remote targets may be available in your
14367 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
14368
14369 @menu
14370 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
14371 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
14372 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
14373 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
14374 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
14375 @end menu
14376
14377 @node Connecting
14378 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
14379
14380 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
14381 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
14382 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
14383 program as the first argument.
14384
14385 @cindex @code{target remote}
14386 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
14387 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
14388 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
14389 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
14390 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
14391 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
14392
14393 @table @code
14394
14395 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
14396 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
14397 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
14398 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
14399
14400 @smallexample
14401 target remote /dev/ttyb
14402 @end smallexample
14403
14404 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
14405 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
14406 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
14407 @code{target} command.
14408
14409 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
14410 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14411 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
14412 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
14413 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
14414 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
14415 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
14416 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
14417 target.
14418
14419 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
14420 @code{manyfarms}:
14421
14422 @smallexample
14423 target remote manyfarms:2828
14424 @end smallexample
14425
14426 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
14427 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
14428 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
14429 port 1234 on your local machine:
14430
14431 @smallexample
14432 target remote :1234
14433 @end smallexample
14434 @noindent
14435
14436 Note that the colon is still required here.
14437
14438 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14439 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
14440 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
14441 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
14442
14443 @smallexample
14444 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
14445 @end smallexample
14446
14447 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
14448 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
14449 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
14450 cause havoc with your debugging session.
14451
14452 @item target remote | @var{command}
14453 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
14454 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
14455 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
14456 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
14457 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
14458 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
14459 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
14460 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
14461
14462 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
14463 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
14464 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
14465
14466 @end table
14467
14468 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
14469 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
14470 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
14471 need to use @kbd{run}.
14472
14473 @cindex interrupting remote programs
14474 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
14475 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
14476 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
14477 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
14478 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
14479 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
14480
14481 @smallexample
14482 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
14483 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
14484 @end smallexample
14485
14486 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
14487 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
14488 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
14489 goes back to waiting.
14490
14491 @table @code
14492 @kindex detach (remote)
14493 @item detach
14494 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
14495 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
14496 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
14497 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
14498 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
14499
14500 @kindex disconnect
14501 @item disconnect
14502 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
14503 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
14504 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
14505 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
14506 another target.
14507
14508 @cindex send command to remote monitor
14509 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
14510 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
14511 @kindex monitor
14512 @item monitor @var{cmd}
14513 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
14514 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
14515 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
14516 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
14517 and implement.
14518 @end table
14519
14520 @node File Transfer
14521 @section Sending files to a remote system
14522 @cindex remote target, file transfer
14523 @cindex file transfer
14524 @cindex sending files to remote systems
14525
14526 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
14527 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
14528 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
14529 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
14530 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
14531 the only way to upload or download files.
14532
14533 Not all remote targets support these commands.
14534
14535 @table @code
14536 @kindex remote put
14537 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
14538 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
14539 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
14540
14541 @kindex remote get
14542 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
14543 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
14544 on the host system.
14545
14546 @kindex remote delete
14547 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
14548 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
14549
14550 @end table
14551
14552 @node Server
14553 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
14554
14555 @kindex gdbserver
14556 @cindex remote connection without stubs
14557 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
14558 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
14559 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
14560
14561 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
14562 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
14563 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
14564 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
14565 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
14566 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
14567 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
14568 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
14569 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
14570 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
14571 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
14572 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
14573 choice for debugging.
14574
14575 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
14576 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
14577 protocol.
14578
14579 @quotation
14580 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
14581 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
14582 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
14583 target system with the same privileges as the user running
14584 @code{gdbserver}.
14585 @end quotation
14586
14587 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
14588 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
14589
14590 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
14591 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
14592 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
14593 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
14594 system does all the symbol handling.
14595
14596 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
14597 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
14598 syntax is:
14599
14600 @smallexample
14601 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
14602 @end smallexample
14603
14604 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
14605 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
14606 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
14607 @file{/dev/com1}:
14608
14609 @smallexample
14610 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
14611 @end smallexample
14612
14613 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
14614 with it.
14615
14616 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
14617
14618 @smallexample
14619 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
14620 @end smallexample
14621
14622 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
14623 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
14624 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
14625 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
14626 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
14627 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
14628 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
14629 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
14630 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
14631 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
14632 @code{target remote} command.
14633
14634 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
14635
14636 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
14637 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
14638
14639 @smallexample
14640 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
14641 @end smallexample
14642
14643 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
14644 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
14645
14646 @pindex pidof
14647 @cindex attach to a program by name
14648 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
14649 @code{pidof} utility:
14650
14651 @smallexample
14652 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
14653 @end smallexample
14654
14655 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
14656 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
14657 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
14658
14659 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
14660 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
14661 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
14662
14663 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
14664 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
14665 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
14666 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
14667
14668 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
14669 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
14670 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
14671 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
14672 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
14673 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
14674 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
14675 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
14676 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
14677
14678 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
14679 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
14680 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
14681 the program you want to debug.
14682
14683 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
14684 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
14685 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
14686
14687 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
14688
14689 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
14690 status information about the debugging process. The
14691 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
14692 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
14693 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
14694
14695 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
14696 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
14697 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
14698 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
14699
14700 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
14701 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
14702 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
14703 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
14704
14705 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
14706 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
14707 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
14708 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
14709
14710 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
14711 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
14712 environment:
14713
14714 @smallexample
14715 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
14716 @end smallexample
14717
14718 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
14719
14720 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
14721
14722 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
14723 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
14724 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
14725 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
14726
14727 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
14728 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
14729 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
14730 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
14731 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
14732 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
14733 programs.
14734
14735 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
14736 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
14737 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
14738 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
14739 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
14740 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
14741 already on the target.
14742
14743 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
14744 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
14745 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
14746
14747 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
14748 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
14749 Here are the available commands.
14750
14751 @table @code
14752 @item monitor help
14753 List the available monitor commands.
14754
14755 @item monitor set debug 0
14756 @itemx monitor set debug 1
14757 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
14758
14759 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
14760 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
14761 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
14762 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
14763
14764 @item monitor exit
14765 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
14766 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
14767 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
14768 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
14769 of a multi-process mode debug session.
14770
14771 @end table
14772
14773 @node Remote Configuration
14774 @section Remote Configuration
14775
14776 @kindex set remote
14777 @kindex show remote
14778 This section documents the configuration options available when
14779 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
14780 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
14781 system-call-allowed}.
14782
14783 @table @code
14784 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
14785 @cindex address size for remote targets
14786 @cindex bits in remote address
14787 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
14788 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
14789 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
14790 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
14791
14792 @item show remoteaddresssize
14793 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
14794
14795 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
14796 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
14797 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
14798 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
14799 remote targets.
14800
14801 @item show remotebaud
14802 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
14803
14804 @item set remotebreak
14805 @cindex interrupt remote programs
14806 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
14807 @anchor{set remotebreak}
14808 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
14809 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
14810 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
14811 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
14812 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
14813
14814 @item show remotebreak
14815 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
14816 interrupt the remote program.
14817
14818 @item set remoteflow on
14819 @itemx set remoteflow off
14820 @kindex set remoteflow
14821 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
14822 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
14823
14824 @item show remoteflow
14825 @kindex show remoteflow
14826 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
14827
14828 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
14829 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
14830 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
14831 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
14832 @code{ascii}.
14833
14834 @item show remotelogbase
14835 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
14836 protocol.
14837
14838 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
14839 @cindex record serial communications on file
14840 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
14841 default is not to record at all.
14842
14843 @item show remotelogfile.
14844 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
14845 serial communications.
14846
14847 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
14848 @cindex timeout for serial communications
14849 @cindex remote timeout
14850 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
14851 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
14852
14853 @item show remotetimeout
14854 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
14855 responses.
14856
14857 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
14858 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
14859 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
14860 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
14861 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
14862 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
14863 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
14864 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
14865
14866 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
14867 @itemx show remote exec-file
14868 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
14869 @cindex executable file, for remote target
14870 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
14871 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
14872 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
14873 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
14874
14875 @kindex set tcp
14876 @kindex show tcp
14877 @item set tcp auto-retry on
14878 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
14879 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
14880 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
14881 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
14882 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
14883 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
14884 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
14885 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
14886
14887 @item set tcp auto-retry off
14888 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
14889
14890 @item show tcp auto-retry
14891 Show the current auto-retry setting.
14892
14893 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
14894 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
14895 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
14896 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
14897 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
14898 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
14899 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
14900 value.
14901
14902 @item show tcp connect-timeout
14903 Show the current connection timeout setting.
14904 @end table
14905
14906 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
14907 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
14908 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
14909 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
14910 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
14911 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
14912 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
14913 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
14914 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
14915
14916 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
14917 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
14918 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
14919 @value{GDBN} developers.
14920
14921 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
14922 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
14923 are:
14924
14925 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
14926 @item Command Name
14927 @tab Remote Packet
14928 @tab Related Features
14929
14930 @item @code{fetch-register}
14931 @tab @code{p}
14932 @tab @code{info registers}
14933
14934 @item @code{set-register}
14935 @tab @code{P}
14936 @tab @code{set}
14937
14938 @item @code{binary-download}
14939 @tab @code{X}
14940 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
14941
14942 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
14943 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
14944 @tab @code{info auxv}
14945
14946 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
14947 @tab @code{qSymbol}
14948 @tab Detecting multiple threads
14949
14950 @item @code{attach}
14951 @tab @code{vAttach}
14952 @tab @code{attach}
14953
14954 @item @code{verbose-resume}
14955 @tab @code{vCont}
14956 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
14957
14958 @item @code{run}
14959 @tab @code{vRun}
14960 @tab @code{run}
14961
14962 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
14963 @tab @code{Z0}
14964 @tab @code{break}
14965
14966 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
14967 @tab @code{Z1}
14968 @tab @code{hbreak}
14969
14970 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
14971 @tab @code{Z2}
14972 @tab @code{watch}
14973
14974 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
14975 @tab @code{Z3}
14976 @tab @code{rwatch}
14977
14978 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
14979 @tab @code{Z4}
14980 @tab @code{awatch}
14981
14982 @item @code{target-features}
14983 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
14984 @tab @code{set architecture}
14985
14986 @item @code{library-info}
14987 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
14988 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
14989
14990 @item @code{memory-map}
14991 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
14992 @tab @code{info mem}
14993
14994 @item @code{read-spu-object}
14995 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
14996 @tab @code{info spu}
14997
14998 @item @code{write-spu-object}
14999 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
15000 @tab @code{info spu}
15001
15002 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
15003 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
15004 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
15005
15006 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
15007 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
15008 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
15009
15010 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
15011 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
15012 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
15013
15014 @item @code{search-memory}
15015 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
15016 @tab @code{find}
15017
15018 @item @code{supported-packets}
15019 @tab @code{qSupported}
15020 @tab Remote communications parameters
15021
15022 @item @code{pass-signals}
15023 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
15024 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
15025
15026 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
15027 @tab @code{vFile:close}
15028 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15029
15030 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
15031 @tab @code{vFile:open}
15032 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15033
15034 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
15035 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
15036 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15037
15038 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
15039 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
15040 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15041
15042 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
15043 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
15044 @tab @code{remote delete}
15045
15046 @item @code{noack-packet}
15047 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
15048 @tab Packet acknowledgment
15049
15050 @item @code{osdata}
15051 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
15052 @tab @code{info os}
15053
15054 @item @code{query-attached}
15055 @tab @code{qAttached}
15056 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
15057 @end multitable
15058
15059 @node Remote Stub
15060 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
15061
15062 @cindex debugging stub, example
15063 @cindex remote stub, example
15064 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
15065 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
15066 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
15067 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
15068 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
15069 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
15070 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
15071 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
15072
15073 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
15074 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
15075 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
15076 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
15077 program, you need:
15078
15079 @enumerate
15080 @item
15081 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
15082 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
15083 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
15084
15085 @item
15086 A C subroutine library to support your program's
15087 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
15088
15089 @item
15090 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
15091 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
15092 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
15093 documentation.
15094 @end enumerate
15095
15096 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
15097 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
15098 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
15099
15100 @table @emph
15101 @item On the host,
15102 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
15103 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
15104 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
15105
15106 @item On the target,
15107 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
15108 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
15109 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
15110
15111 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
15112 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
15113 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
15114 @end table
15115
15116 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
15117 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
15118 @sc{sparc} boards.
15119
15120 @cindex remote serial stub list
15121 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
15122
15123 @table @code
15124
15125 @item i386-stub.c
15126 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
15127 @cindex Intel
15128 @cindex i386
15129 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
15130
15131 @item m68k-stub.c
15132 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
15133 @cindex Motorola 680x0
15134 @cindex m680x0
15135 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
15136
15137 @item sh-stub.c
15138 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
15139 @cindex Renesas
15140 @cindex SH
15141 For Renesas SH architectures.
15142
15143 @item sparc-stub.c
15144 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
15145 @cindex Sparc
15146 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
15147
15148 @item sparcl-stub.c
15149 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
15150 @cindex Fujitsu
15151 @cindex SparcLite
15152 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
15153
15154 @end table
15155
15156 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
15157 recently added stubs.
15158
15159 @menu
15160 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
15161 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
15162 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
15163 @end menu
15164
15165 @node Stub Contents
15166 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
15167
15168 @cindex remote serial stub
15169 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
15170 subroutines:
15171
15172 @table @code
15173 @item set_debug_traps
15174 @findex set_debug_traps
15175 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
15176 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
15177 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
15178 beginning of your program.
15179
15180 @item handle_exception
15181 @findex handle_exception
15182 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
15183 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
15184 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
15185 run when a trap is triggered.
15186
15187 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
15188 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
15189 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
15190 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
15191 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
15192 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
15193 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
15194 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
15195 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
15196 machine.
15197
15198 @item breakpoint
15199 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
15200 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
15201 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
15202 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
15203 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
15204 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
15205 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
15206 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
15207 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
15208 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
15209 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
15210
15211 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
15212 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
15213 start of your debugging session.
15214 @end table
15215
15216 @node Bootstrapping
15217 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
15218
15219 @cindex remote stub, support routines
15220 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
15221 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
15222 debugging target machine.
15223
15224 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
15225 serial port.
15226
15227 @table @code
15228 @item int getDebugChar()
15229 @findex getDebugChar
15230 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
15231 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
15232 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15233
15234 @item void putDebugChar(int)
15235 @findex putDebugChar
15236 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
15237 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
15238 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15239 @end table
15240
15241 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
15242 @cindex interrupting remote targets
15243 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
15244 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
15245 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
15246 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
15247 remote system to stop.
15248
15249 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
15250 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
15251 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
15252 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
15253
15254 Other routines you need to supply are:
15255
15256 @table @code
15257 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
15258 @findex exceptionHandler
15259 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
15260 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
15261 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
15262 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
15263 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
15264 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
15265 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
15266 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
15267 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
15268 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
15269 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
15270 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
15271 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
15272
15273 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
15274 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
15275 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
15276 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
15277 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
15278
15279 @item void flush_i_cache()
15280 @findex flush_i_cache
15281 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
15282 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
15283 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
15284
15285 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
15286 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
15287 @end table
15288
15289 @noindent
15290 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
15291
15292 @table @code
15293 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
15294 @findex memset
15295 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
15296 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
15297 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
15298 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
15299 @end table
15300
15301 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
15302 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
15303 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
15304 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
15305
15306
15307 @node Debug Session
15308 @subsection Putting it All Together
15309
15310 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
15311 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
15312 steps.
15313
15314 @enumerate
15315 @item
15316 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
15317 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
15318 @display
15319 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
15320 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
15321 @end display
15322
15323 @item
15324 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
15325
15326 @smallexample
15327 set_debug_traps();
15328 breakpoint();
15329 @end smallexample
15330
15331 @item
15332 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
15333 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
15334
15335 @smallexample
15336 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
15337 @end smallexample
15338
15339 @noindent
15340 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
15341 function in your program, that function is called when
15342 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
15343 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
15344 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
15345
15346 @item
15347 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
15348 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
15349
15350 @item
15351 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
15352 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
15353
15354 @item
15355 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
15356 @c document that. FIXME.
15357 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
15358 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
15359
15360 @item
15361 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
15362 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15363
15364 @end enumerate
15365
15366 @node Configurations
15367 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
15368
15369 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
15370 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
15371 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
15372
15373 There are three major categories of configurations: native
15374 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
15375 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
15376 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
15377 are quite different from each other.
15378
15379 @menu
15380 * Native::
15381 * Embedded OS::
15382 * Embedded Processors::
15383 * Architectures::
15384 @end menu
15385
15386 @node Native
15387 @section Native
15388
15389 This section describes details specific to particular native
15390 configurations.
15391
15392 @menu
15393 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
15394 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
15395 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
15396 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
15397 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
15398 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
15399 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
15400 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
15401 @end menu
15402
15403 @node HP-UX
15404 @subsection HP-UX
15405
15406 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
15407 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
15408 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
15409
15410
15411 @node BSD libkvm Interface
15412 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
15413
15414 @cindex libkvm
15415 @cindex kernel memory image
15416 @cindex kernel crash dump
15417
15418 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
15419 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
15420 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
15421 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
15422 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
15423 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
15424 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
15425 @code{kvm} target:
15426
15427 @smallexample
15428 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
15429 @end smallexample
15430
15431 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
15432 argument:
15433
15434 @smallexample
15435 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
15436 @end smallexample
15437
15438 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
15439 available:
15440
15441 @table @code
15442 @kindex kvm
15443 @item kvm pcb
15444 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
15445
15446 @item kvm proc
15447 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
15448 modern FreeBSD systems.
15449 @end table
15450
15451 @node SVR4 Process Information
15452 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
15453 @cindex /proc
15454 @cindex examine process image
15455 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
15456
15457 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
15458 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
15459 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
15460 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
15461 proc} is available to report information about the process running
15462 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
15463 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
15464 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
15465 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
15466
15467 @table @code
15468 @kindex info proc
15469 @cindex process ID
15470 @item info proc
15471 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
15472 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
15473 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
15474 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
15475 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
15476 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
15477 executable file's absolute file name.
15478
15479 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
15480 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
15481 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
15482 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
15483 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
15484 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
15485
15486 @item info proc mappings
15487 @cindex memory address space mappings
15488 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
15489 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
15490 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
15491 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
15492 memory access rights to that range.
15493
15494 @item info proc stat
15495 @itemx info proc status
15496 @cindex process detailed status information
15497 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
15498 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
15499 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
15500 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
15501 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
15502 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
15503 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
15504
15505 @item info proc all
15506 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
15507 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
15508
15509 @ignore
15510 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
15511 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
15512 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
15513 @kindex info proc times
15514 @item info proc times
15515 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
15516 its children.
15517
15518 @kindex info proc id
15519 @item info proc id
15520 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
15521 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
15522 @end ignore
15523
15524 @item set procfs-trace
15525 @kindex set procfs-trace
15526 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
15527 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
15528
15529 @item show procfs-trace
15530 @kindex show procfs-trace
15531 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
15532
15533 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
15534 @kindex set procfs-file
15535 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
15536 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
15537 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
15538 standard output.
15539
15540 @item show procfs-file
15541 @kindex show procfs-file
15542 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
15543
15544 @item proc-trace-entry
15545 @itemx proc-trace-exit
15546 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
15547 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
15548 @kindex proc-trace-entry
15549 @kindex proc-trace-exit
15550 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
15551 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
15552 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
15553 from the @code{syscall} interface.
15554
15555 @item info pidlist
15556 @kindex info pidlist
15557 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
15558 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
15559 processes and all the threads within each process.
15560
15561 @item info meminfo
15562 @kindex info meminfo
15563 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
15564 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
15565 @end table
15566
15567 @node DJGPP Native
15568 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
15569 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
15570 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
15571 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
15572
15573 @cindex DPMI
15574 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
15575 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
15576 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
15577 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
15578
15579 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
15580 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
15581 subsection describes those commands.
15582
15583 @table @code
15584 @kindex info dos
15585 @item info dos
15586 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
15587 information about the target system and important OS structures.
15588
15589 @kindex sysinfo
15590 @cindex MS-DOS system info
15591 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
15592 @item info dos sysinfo
15593 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
15594 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
15595 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
15596
15597 @cindex GDT
15598 @cindex LDT
15599 @cindex IDT
15600 @cindex segment descriptor tables
15601 @cindex descriptor tables display
15602 @item info dos gdt
15603 @itemx info dos ldt
15604 @itemx info dos idt
15605 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
15606 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
15607 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
15608 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
15609 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
15610 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
15611 rights.
15612
15613 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
15614 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
15615 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
15616 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
15617 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
15618
15619 @cindex garbled pointers
15620 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
15621 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
15622 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
15623 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
15624 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
15625 debugged program's data segment:
15626
15627 @smallexample
15628 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
15629 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
15630 @end smallexample
15631
15632 @noindent
15633 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
15634 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
15635
15636 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
15637 @item info dos pde
15638 @itemx info dos pte
15639 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
15640 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
15641 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
15642 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
15643 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
15644 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
15645 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
15646 that is currently in use.
15647
15648 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
15649 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
15650 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
15651 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
15652 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
15653 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
15654 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
15655
15656 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
15657 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
15658 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
15659 controller.
15660
15661 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
15662
15663 @cindex physical address from linear address
15664 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
15665 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
15666 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
15667 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
15668 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
15669 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
15670 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
15671
15672 @smallexample
15673 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
15674 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
15675 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
15676 @end smallexample
15677
15678 @noindent
15679 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
15680 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
15681 attributes of that page.
15682
15683 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
15684 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
15685 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
15686 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
15687 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
15688 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
15689
15690 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
15691 transfer buffer:
15692
15693 @smallexample
15694 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
15695 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
15696 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
15697 @end smallexample
15698
15699 @noindent
15700 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
15701 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
15702 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
15703 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
15704 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
15705
15706 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
15707 @end table
15708
15709 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
15710 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
15711 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
15712 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
15713
15714 @table @code
15715 @kindex set com1base
15716 @kindex set com1irq
15717 @kindex set com2base
15718 @kindex set com2irq
15719 @kindex set com3base
15720 @kindex set com3irq
15721 @kindex set com4base
15722 @kindex set com4irq
15723 @item set com1base @var{addr}
15724 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
15725 port.
15726
15727 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
15728 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
15729 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
15730
15731 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
15732 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
15733 other 3 COM ports.
15734
15735 @kindex show com1base
15736 @kindex show com1irq
15737 @kindex show com2base
15738 @kindex show com2irq
15739 @kindex show com3base
15740 @kindex show com3irq
15741 @kindex show com4base
15742 @kindex show com4irq
15743 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
15744 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
15745 lines used by the COM ports.
15746
15747 @item info serial
15748 @kindex info serial
15749 @cindex DOS serial port status
15750 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
15751 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
15752 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
15753 counts of various errors encountered so far.
15754 @end table
15755
15756
15757 @node Cygwin Native
15758 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
15759 @cindex MS Windows debugging
15760 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
15761 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
15762
15763 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
15764 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information. There are various
15765 additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in this section.
15766 Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is described in
15767 @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
15768
15769 @table @code
15770 @kindex info w32
15771 @item info w32
15772 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
15773 information about the target system and important OS structures.
15774
15775 @item info w32 selector
15776 This command displays information returned by
15777 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
15778 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
15779 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
15780 Without argument, this command displays information
15781 about the six segment registers.
15782
15783 @kindex info dll
15784 @item info dll
15785 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
15786
15787 @kindex dll-symbols
15788 @item dll-symbols
15789 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
15790 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
15791
15792 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
15793 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
15794 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
15795 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
15796 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
15797 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
15798 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
15799 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
15800 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
15801 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
15802 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
15803
15804 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
15805 @item show cygwin-exceptions
15806 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
15807 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
15808
15809 @kindex set new-console
15810 @item set new-console @var{mode}
15811 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
15812 be started in a new console on next start.
15813 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
15814 be started in the same console as the debugger.
15815
15816 @kindex show new-console
15817 @item show new-console
15818 Displays whether a new console is used
15819 when the debuggee is started.
15820
15821 @kindex set new-group
15822 @item set new-group @var{mode}
15823 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
15824 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
15825 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
15826 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
15827
15828 @kindex show new-group
15829 @item show new-group
15830 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
15831
15832 @kindex set debugevents
15833 @item set debugevents
15834 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
15835 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
15836 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
15837 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
15838 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
15839
15840 @kindex set debugexec
15841 @item set debugexec
15842 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
15843 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
15844
15845 @kindex set debugexceptions
15846 @item set debugexceptions
15847 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
15848 debuggee seen by the debugger.
15849
15850 @kindex set debugmemory
15851 @item set debugmemory
15852 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
15853 and writes by the debugger.
15854
15855 @kindex set shell
15856 @item set shell
15857 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
15858 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
15859
15860 @kindex show shell
15861 @item show shell
15862 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
15863
15864 @end table
15865
15866 @menu
15867 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
15868 @end menu
15869
15870 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
15871 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
15872 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
15873 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
15874
15875 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
15876 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
15877 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
15878 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
15879 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
15880 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
15881 ``minimal symbols''.
15882
15883 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
15884 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
15885 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
15886 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
15887 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
15888 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
15889 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
15890 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
15891 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
15892 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
15893
15894 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
15895
15896 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
15897 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
15898 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
15899 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
15900 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
15901 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
15902 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
15903 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
15904 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
15905
15906 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
15907 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
15908 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
15909 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
15910 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
15911 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
15912
15913 @smallexample
15914 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
15915 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
15916
15917 Non-debugging symbols:
15918 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
15919 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
15920 @end smallexample
15921
15922 @smallexample
15923 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
15924 All functions matching regular expression "!":
15925
15926 Non-debugging symbols:
15927 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
15928 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
15929 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
15930 [etc...]
15931 @end smallexample
15932
15933 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
15934
15935 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
15936 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
15937 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
15938 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
15939 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
15940 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
15941 a function within a DLL without a running program.
15942
15943 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
15944 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
15945 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
15946 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
15947 problem:
15948
15949 @smallexample
15950 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
15951 $1 = 268572168
15952 @end smallexample
15953
15954 @smallexample
15955 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
15956 0x10021610: "\230y\""
15957 @end smallexample
15958
15959 And two possible solutions:
15960
15961 @smallexample
15962 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
15963 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
15964 @end smallexample
15965
15966 @smallexample
15967 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
15968 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
15969 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
15970 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
15971 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
15972 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
15973 @end smallexample
15974
15975 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
15976 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
15977 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
15978 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
15979 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
15980
15981 @smallexample
15982 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
15983 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
15984 @end smallexample
15985
15986 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
15987 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
15988 safe.
15989
15990 @node Hurd Native
15991 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
15992 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
15993
15994 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
15995 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
15996
15997 @table @code
15998 @item set signals
15999 @itemx set sigs
16000 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
16001 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16002 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
16003 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
16004 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
16005 @code{signals}.
16006
16007 @item show signals
16008 @itemx show sigs
16009 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
16010 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16011 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
16012
16013 @item set signal-thread
16014 @itemx set sigthread
16015 @kindex set signal-thread
16016 @kindex set sigthread
16017 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
16018 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
16019 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
16020 signal-thread}.
16021
16022 @item show signal-thread
16023 @itemx show sigthread
16024 @kindex show signal-thread
16025 @kindex show sigthread
16026 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
16027 delivered a signal.
16028
16029 @item set stopped
16030 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16031 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
16032 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
16033 continued by delivering a signal to it.
16034
16035 @item show stopped
16036 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16037 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
16038 stopped.
16039
16040 @item set exceptions
16041 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16042 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
16043 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
16044 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
16045 trapping on.
16046
16047 @item show exceptions
16048 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16049 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
16050
16051 @item set task pause
16052 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
16053 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16054 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16055 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
16056 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
16057 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
16058 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
16059 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
16060 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
16061
16062 @item show task pause
16063 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
16064 Show the current state of task suspension.
16065
16066 @item set task detach-suspend-count
16067 @cindex task suspend count
16068 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16069 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
16070 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
16071
16072 @item show task detach-suspend-count
16073 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
16074
16075 @item set task exception-port
16076 @itemx set task excp
16077 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16078 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
16079 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
16080 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
16081
16082 @item set noninvasive
16083 @cindex noninvasive task options
16084 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
16085 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
16086 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
16087 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
16088
16089 @item info send-rights
16090 @itemx info receive-rights
16091 @itemx info port-rights
16092 @itemx info port-sets
16093 @itemx info dead-names
16094 @itemx info ports
16095 @itemx info psets
16096 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16097 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16098 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16099 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16100 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16101 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
16102 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
16103 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
16104 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
16105
16106 @item set thread pause
16107 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
16108 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16109 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16110 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
16111 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
16112 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
16113 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
16114 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
16115 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
16116 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
16117 only the current thread.
16118
16119 @item show thread pause
16120 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
16121 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
16122
16123 @item set thread run
16124 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16125
16126 @item show thread run
16127 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16128
16129 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
16130 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16131 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16132 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
16133 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
16134 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
16135 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
16136
16137 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
16138 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
16139 detaching.
16140
16141 @item set thread exception-port
16142 @itemx set thread excp
16143 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
16144 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
16145 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
16146
16147 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
16148 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
16149 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
16150 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
16151
16152 @item set thread default
16153 @itemx show thread default
16154 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16155 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
16156 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
16157 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
16158 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
16159 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
16160 the non-default commands.
16161 @end table
16162
16163
16164 @node Neutrino
16165 @subsection QNX Neutrino
16166 @cindex QNX Neutrino
16167
16168 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
16169 Neutrino target:
16170
16171 @table @code
16172 @item set debug nto-debug
16173 @kindex set debug nto-debug
16174 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
16175 Neutrino support.
16176
16177 @item show debug nto-debug
16178 @kindex show debug nto-debug
16179 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
16180 @end table
16181
16182 @node Darwin
16183 @subsection Darwin
16184 @cindex Darwin
16185
16186 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
16187
16188 @table @code
16189 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
16190 @kindex set debug darwin
16191 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
16192 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
16193
16194 @item show debug darwin
16195 @kindex show debug darwin
16196 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
16197
16198 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
16199 @kindex set debug mach-o
16200 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
16201 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
16202 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
16203 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
16204 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
16205 usage.
16206
16207 @item show debug mach-o
16208 @kindex show debug mach-o
16209 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
16210
16211 @item set mach-exceptions on
16212 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
16213 @kindex set mach-exceptions
16214 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
16215 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
16216 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
16217 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
16218
16219 @item show mach-exceptions
16220 @kindex show mach-exceptions
16221 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
16222 @end table
16223
16224
16225 @node Embedded OS
16226 @section Embedded Operating Systems
16227
16228 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
16229 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
16230 architectures.
16231
16232 @menu
16233 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16234 @end menu
16235
16236 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
16237 various real-time operating systems.
16238
16239 @node VxWorks
16240 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16241
16242 @cindex VxWorks
16243
16244 @table @code
16245
16246 @kindex target vxworks
16247 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
16248 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
16249 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
16250
16251 @end table
16252
16253 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
16254 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
16255
16256 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
16257 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
16258 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16259 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
16260 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
16261 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
16262 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
16263
16264 @table @code
16265 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
16266 @kindex vxworks-timeout
16267 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
16268 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16269 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
16270 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
16271 of a thin network line.
16272 @end table
16273
16274 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
16275 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
16276 procedures.
16277
16278 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
16279 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
16280 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
16281 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
16282 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
16283 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
16284 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
16285 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
16286 manual.
16287 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
16288
16289 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
16290 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
16291 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
16292 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
16293
16294 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
16295
16296 @smallexample
16297 (vxgdb)
16298 @end smallexample
16299
16300 @menu
16301 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
16302 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
16303 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
16304 @end menu
16305
16306 @node VxWorks Connection
16307 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
16308
16309 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
16310 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
16311
16312 @smallexample
16313 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
16314 @end smallexample
16315
16316 @need 750
16317 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
16318
16319 @smallexample
16320 Attaching remote machine across net...
16321 Connected to tt.
16322 @end smallexample
16323
16324 @need 1000
16325 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
16326 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
16327 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
16328 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
16329 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
16330
16331 @smallexample
16332 prog.o: No such file or directory.
16333 @end smallexample
16334
16335 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
16336 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
16337 command again.
16338
16339 @node VxWorks Download
16340 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
16341
16342 @cindex download to VxWorks
16343 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
16344 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
16345 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
16346 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
16347 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
16348 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
16349 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
16350 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
16351 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
16352 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
16353 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
16354 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
16355 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
16356 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
16357 program, type this on VxWorks:
16358
16359 @smallexample
16360 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
16361 @end smallexample
16362
16363 @noindent
16364 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
16365
16366 @smallexample
16367 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
16368 (vxgdb) load prog.o
16369 @end smallexample
16370
16371 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
16372
16373 @smallexample
16374 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
16375 @end smallexample
16376
16377 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
16378 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
16379 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
16380 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
16381 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
16382 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
16383 table.)
16384
16385 @node VxWorks Attach
16386 @subsubsection Running Tasks
16387
16388 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
16389 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
16390 follows:
16391
16392 @smallexample
16393 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
16394 @end smallexample
16395
16396 @noindent
16397 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
16398 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
16399 the time of attachment.
16400
16401 @node Embedded Processors
16402 @section Embedded Processors
16403
16404 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
16405 configurations.
16406
16407 @cindex send command to simulator
16408 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
16409 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
16410
16411 @table @code
16412 @item sim @var{command}
16413 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
16414 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
16415 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
16416 acceptable commands.
16417 @end table
16418
16419
16420 @menu
16421 * ARM:: ARM RDI
16422 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
16423 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
16424 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
16425 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
16426 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
16427 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
16428 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
16429 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
16430 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
16431 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
16432 * CRIS:: CRIS
16433 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
16434 @end menu
16435
16436 @node ARM
16437 @subsection ARM
16438 @cindex ARM RDI
16439
16440 @table @code
16441 @kindex target rdi
16442 @item target rdi @var{dev}
16443 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
16444 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
16445 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
16446
16447 @kindex target rdp
16448 @item target rdp @var{dev}
16449 ARM Demon monitor.
16450
16451 @end table
16452
16453 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
16454
16455 @table @code
16456 @item set arm disassembler
16457 @kindex set arm
16458 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
16459 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
16460
16461 @item show arm disassembler
16462 @kindex show arm
16463 Show the current disassembly style.
16464
16465 @item set arm apcs32
16466 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
16467 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
16468
16469 @item show arm apcs32
16470 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
16471
16472 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
16473 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
16474 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
16475
16476 @table @code
16477 @item auto
16478 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
16479 @item softfpa
16480 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
16481 processors.
16482 @item fpa
16483 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
16484 @item softvfp
16485 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
16486 @item vfp
16487 VFP co-processor.
16488 @end table
16489
16490 @item show arm fpu
16491 Show the current type of the FPU.
16492
16493 @item set arm abi
16494 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
16495
16496 @item show arm abi
16497 Show the currently used ABI.
16498
16499 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16500 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
16501 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
16502 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
16503 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
16504 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
16505 register).
16506
16507 @item show arm fallback-mode
16508 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
16509
16510 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16511 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
16512 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
16513 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
16514 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
16515
16516 @item show arm force-mode
16517 Show the current forced instruction mode.
16518
16519 @item set debug arm
16520 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
16521 target support subsystem.
16522
16523 @item show debug arm
16524 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
16525 @end table
16526
16527 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
16528 using the RDI interface:
16529
16530 @table @code
16531 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16532 @kindex rdilogfile
16533 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
16534 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
16535 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
16536 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
16537 @file{rdi.log}.
16538
16539 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
16540 @kindex rdilogenable
16541 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
16542 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
16543 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
16544 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
16545 are logged to a file.
16546
16547 @item set rdiromatzero
16548 @kindex set rdiromatzero
16549 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
16550 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
16551 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
16552 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
16553 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
16554
16555 @item show rdiromatzero
16556 @kindex show rdiromatzero
16557 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
16558
16559 @item set rdiheartbeat
16560 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
16561 @cindex RDI heartbeat
16562 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
16563 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
16564 well as the Angel monitor.
16565
16566 @item show rdiheartbeat
16567 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
16568 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
16569 @end table
16570
16571
16572 @node M32R/D
16573 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
16574
16575 @table @code
16576 @kindex target m32r
16577 @item target m32r @var{dev}
16578 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
16579
16580 @kindex target m32rsdi
16581 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
16582 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
16583 @end table
16584
16585 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
16586
16587 @table @code
16588 @item set download-path @var{path}
16589 @kindex set download-path
16590 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
16591 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
16592
16593 @item show download-path
16594 @kindex show download-path
16595 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
16596
16597 @item set board-address @var{addr}
16598 @kindex set board-address
16599 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
16600 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
16601
16602 @item show board-address
16603 @kindex show board-address
16604 Show the current IP address of the target board.
16605
16606 @item set server-address @var{addr}
16607 @kindex set server-address
16608 @cindex download server address (M32R)
16609 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
16610 host machine.
16611
16612 @item show server-address
16613 @kindex show server-address
16614 Display the IP address of the download server.
16615
16616 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16617 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
16618 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
16619 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
16620 executable file is uploaded.
16621
16622 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16623 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
16624 Test the @code{upload} command.
16625 @end table
16626
16627 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
16628
16629 @table @code
16630 @item sdireset
16631 @kindex sdireset
16632 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
16633 This command resets the SDI connection.
16634
16635 @item sdistatus
16636 @kindex sdistatus
16637 This command shows the SDI connection status.
16638
16639 @item debug_chaos
16640 @kindex debug_chaos
16641 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
16642 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
16643
16644 @item use_debug_dma
16645 @kindex use_debug_dma
16646 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
16647
16648 @item use_mon_code
16649 @kindex use_mon_code
16650 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
16651
16652 @item use_ib_break
16653 @kindex use_ib_break
16654 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
16655
16656 @item use_dbt_break
16657 @kindex use_dbt_break
16658 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
16659 @end table
16660
16661 @node M68K
16662 @subsection M68k
16663
16664 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
16665 target command for the following ROM monitor.
16666
16667 @table @code
16668
16669 @kindex target dbug
16670 @item target dbug @var{dev}
16671 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
16672
16673 @end table
16674
16675 @node MIPS Embedded
16676 @subsection MIPS Embedded
16677
16678 @cindex MIPS boards
16679 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
16680 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
16681 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
16682
16683 @need 1000
16684 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
16685
16686 @table @code
16687 @item target mips @var{port}
16688 @kindex target mips @var{port}
16689 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
16690 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
16691 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
16692 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
16693 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
16694 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
16695
16696 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
16697 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
16698 debugger:
16699
16700 @smallexample
16701 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
16702 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
16703 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
16704 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
16705 (@value{GDBP}) run
16706 @end smallexample
16707
16708 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
16709 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
16710 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
16711 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
16712 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
16713
16714 @item target pmon @var{port}
16715 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
16716 PMON ROM monitor.
16717
16718 @item target ddb @var{port}
16719 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
16720 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
16721
16722 @item target lsi @var{port}
16723 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
16724 LSI variant of PMON.
16725
16726 @kindex target r3900
16727 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
16728 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
16729
16730 @kindex target array
16731 @item target array @var{dev}
16732 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
16733
16734 @end table
16735
16736
16737 @noindent
16738 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
16739
16740 @table @code
16741 @item set mipsfpu double
16742 @itemx set mipsfpu single
16743 @itemx set mipsfpu none
16744 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
16745 @itemx show mipsfpu
16746 @kindex set mipsfpu
16747 @kindex show mipsfpu
16748 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
16749 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
16750 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
16751 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
16752 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
16753 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
16754 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
16755 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
16756 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
16757 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
16758 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
16759 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
16760 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
16761
16762 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
16763 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
16764 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
16765
16766 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
16767 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
16768
16769 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
16770 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
16771 @itemx show timeout
16772 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
16773 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
16774 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
16775 @kindex set timeout
16776 @kindex show timeout
16777 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
16778 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
16779 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
16780 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
16781 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
16782 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
16783 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
16784 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
16785 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
16786 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
16787
16788 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
16789 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
16790 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
16791 to run before stopping.
16792
16793 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
16794 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
16795 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
16796 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
16797 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
16798 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
16799
16800 @item show syn-garbage-limit
16801 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
16802 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
16803 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
16804
16805 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
16806 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
16807 @cindex remote monitor prompt
16808 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
16809 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
16810 @table @asis
16811 @item pmon target
16812 @samp{PMON}
16813 @item ddb target
16814 @samp{NEC010}
16815 @item lsi target
16816 @samp{PMON>}
16817 @end table
16818
16819 @item show monitor-prompt
16820 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
16821 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
16822 remote monitor.
16823
16824 @item set monitor-warnings
16825 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
16826 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
16827 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
16828 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
16829 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
16830
16831 @item show monitor-warnings
16832 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
16833 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
16834
16835 @item pmon @var{command}
16836 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
16837 @cindex send PMON command
16838 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
16839 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
16840 @end table
16841
16842 @node OpenRISC 1000
16843 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
16844 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
16845
16846 @cindex or1k boards
16847 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
16848 about platform and commands.
16849
16850 @table @code
16851
16852 @kindex target jtag
16853 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
16854
16855 Connects to remote JTAG server.
16856 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
16857 connected via parallel port to the board.
16858
16859 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
16860
16861 @kindex or1ksim
16862 @item or1ksim @var{command}
16863 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
16864 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
16865
16866 @kindex info or1k spr
16867 @item info or1k spr
16868 Displays spr groups.
16869
16870 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
16871 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
16872 Displays register names in selected group.
16873
16874 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
16875 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
16876 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
16877 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
16878 Shows information about specified spr register.
16879
16880 @kindex spr
16881 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
16882 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
16883 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
16884 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
16885 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
16886 @end table
16887
16888 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
16889 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
16890 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
16891 triggers can be set using:
16892 @table @code
16893 @item $LEA/$LDATA
16894 Load effective address/data
16895 @item $SEA/$SDATA
16896 Store effective address/data
16897 @item $AEA/$ADATA
16898 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
16899 @item $FETCH
16900 Fetch data
16901 @end table
16902
16903 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
16904 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
16905
16906 @code{htrace} commands:
16907 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
16908 @table @code
16909 @kindex hwatch
16910 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
16911 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
16912 or Data. For example:
16913
16914 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
16915
16916 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
16917
16918 @kindex htrace
16919 @item htrace info
16920 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
16921
16922 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
16923 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
16924
16925 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
16926 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
16927
16928 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
16929 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
16930
16931 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
16932 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
16933 triggered.
16934
16935 @item htrace enable
16936 @itemx htrace disable
16937 Enables/disables the HW trace.
16938
16939 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
16940 Clears currently recorded trace data.
16941
16942 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
16943 will be written there.
16944
16945 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
16946 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
16947
16948 @item htrace mode continuous
16949 Set continuous trace mode.
16950
16951 @item htrace mode suspend
16952 Set suspend trace mode.
16953
16954 @end table
16955
16956 @node PowerPC Embedded
16957 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
16958
16959 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
16960
16961 @table @code
16962 @kindex set powerpc
16963 @item set powerpc soft-float
16964 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
16965 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
16966 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
16967 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
16968
16969 @item set powerpc vector-abi
16970 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
16971 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
16972 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
16973 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
16974 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
16975 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
16976 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
16977
16978 @kindex target dink32
16979 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
16980 DINK32 ROM monitor.
16981
16982 @kindex target ppcbug
16983 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
16984 @kindex target ppcbug1
16985 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
16986 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
16987
16988 @kindex target sds
16989 @item target sds @var{dev}
16990 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
16991 @end table
16992
16993 @cindex SDS protocol
16994 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
16995 by @value{GDBN}:
16996
16997 @table @code
16998 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
16999 @kindex set sdstimeout
17000 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
17001 default is 2 seconds.
17002
17003 @item show sdstimeout
17004 @kindex show sdstimeout
17005 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
17006
17007 @item sds @var{command}
17008 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
17009 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
17010 @end table
17011
17012
17013 @node PA
17014 @subsection HP PA Embedded
17015
17016 @table @code
17017
17018 @kindex target op50n
17019 @item target op50n @var{dev}
17020 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
17021
17022 @kindex target w89k
17023 @item target w89k @var{dev}
17024 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
17025
17026 @end table
17027
17028 @node Sparclet
17029 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
17030
17031 @cindex Sparclet
17032
17033 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
17034 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
17035 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17036 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
17037 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
17038
17039 @table @code
17040 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
17041 @kindex remotetimeout
17042 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
17043 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17044 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
17045 @end table
17046
17047 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
17048 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
17049 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
17050 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
17051 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
17052
17053 @smallexample
17054 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
17055 @end smallexample
17056
17057 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
17058
17059 @smallexample
17060 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
17061 @end smallexample
17062
17063 @cindex running, on Sparclet
17064 Once you have set
17065 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17066 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
17067 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
17068
17069 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17070
17071 @smallexample
17072 (gdbslet)
17073 @end smallexample
17074
17075 @menu
17076 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
17077 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
17078 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
17079 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
17080 @end menu
17081
17082 @node Sparclet File
17083 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
17084
17085 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
17086
17087 @smallexample
17088 (gdbslet) file prog
17089 @end smallexample
17090
17091 @need 1000
17092 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
17093 @value{GDBN} locates
17094 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
17095 path.
17096 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
17097 files will be searched as well.
17098 @value{GDBN} locates
17099 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
17100 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
17101 If it fails
17102 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
17103
17104 @smallexample
17105 prog: No such file or directory.
17106 @end smallexample
17107
17108 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
17109 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
17110 @code{target} command again.
17111
17112 @node Sparclet Connection
17113 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
17114
17115 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
17116 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
17117
17118 @smallexample
17119 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
17120 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
17121 main () at ../prog.c:3
17122 @end smallexample
17123
17124 @need 750
17125 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17126
17127 @smallexample
17128 Connected to ttya.
17129 @end smallexample
17130
17131 @node Sparclet Download
17132 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
17133
17134 @cindex download to Sparclet
17135 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
17136 you can use the @value{GDBN}
17137 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
17138 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
17139 command.
17140 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
17141 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
17142 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
17143 of each of the file's sections.
17144 For instance, if the program
17145 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
17146 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17147
17148 @smallexample
17149 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
17150 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
17151 @end smallexample
17152
17153 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
17154 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
17155 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
17156
17157 @node Sparclet Execution
17158 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
17159
17160 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
17161 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
17162 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
17163 manual for the list of commands.
17164
17165 @smallexample
17166 (gdbslet) b main
17167 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
17168 (gdbslet) run
17169 Starting program: prog
17170 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
17171 3 char *symarg = 0;
17172 (gdbslet) step
17173 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
17174 (gdbslet)
17175 @end smallexample
17176
17177 @node Sparclite
17178 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
17179
17180 @table @code
17181
17182 @kindex target sparclite
17183 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
17184 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
17185 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
17186 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
17187 remote protocol.
17188
17189 @end table
17190
17191 @node Z8000
17192 @subsection Zilog Z8000
17193
17194 @cindex Z8000
17195 @cindex simulator, Z8000
17196 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
17197
17198 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
17199 a Z8000 simulator.
17200
17201 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
17202 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
17203 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
17204 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
17205
17206 @table @code
17207 @item target sim @var{args}
17208 @kindex sim
17209 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
17210 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
17211 options, specify them via @var{args}.
17212 @end table
17213
17214 @noindent
17215 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
17216 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
17217 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
17218 to run your program, and so on.
17219
17220 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
17221 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
17222 additional items of information as specially named registers:
17223
17224 @table @code
17225
17226 @item cycles
17227 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
17228
17229 @item insts
17230 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
17231
17232 @item time
17233 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
17234
17235 @end table
17236
17237 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
17238 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
17239 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
17240 simulated clock ticks.
17241
17242 @node AVR
17243 @subsection Atmel AVR
17244 @cindex AVR
17245
17246 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
17247 following AVR-specific commands:
17248
17249 @table @code
17250 @item info io_registers
17251 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
17252 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
17253 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
17254 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
17255 @end table
17256
17257 @node CRIS
17258 @subsection CRIS
17259 @cindex CRIS
17260
17261 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
17262 following CRIS-specific commands:
17263
17264 @table @code
17265 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
17266 @cindex CRIS version
17267 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
17268 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
17269 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
17270
17271 @item show cris-version
17272 Show the current CRIS version.
17273
17274 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
17275 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
17276 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
17277 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
17278 @code{R59}.
17279
17280 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
17281 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
17282
17283 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
17284 @cindex CRIS mode
17285 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
17286 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
17287 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
17288
17289 @item show cris-mode
17290 Show the current CRIS mode.
17291 @end table
17292
17293 @node Super-H
17294 @subsection Renesas Super-H
17295 @cindex Super-H
17296
17297 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
17298 commands:
17299
17300 @table @code
17301 @item regs
17302 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
17303 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
17304
17305 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
17306 @kindex set sh calling-convention
17307 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
17308 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
17309 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
17310 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
17311 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
17312 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
17313 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
17314 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
17315 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
17316 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
17317
17318 @item show sh calling-convention
17319 @kindex show sh calling-convention
17320 Show the current calling convention setting.
17321
17322 @end table
17323
17324
17325 @node Architectures
17326 @section Architectures
17327
17328 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
17329 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
17330
17331 @menu
17332 * i386::
17333 * A29K::
17334 * Alpha::
17335 * MIPS::
17336 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
17337 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17338 * PowerPC::
17339 @end menu
17340
17341 @node i386
17342 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
17343
17344 @table @code
17345 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
17346 @kindex set struct-convention
17347 @cindex struct return convention
17348 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
17349 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
17350 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
17351 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
17352 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
17353 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
17354 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
17355 be returned in a register.
17356
17357 @item show struct-convention
17358 @kindex show struct-convention
17359 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
17360 from functions.
17361 @end table
17362
17363 @node A29K
17364 @subsection A29K
17365
17366 @table @code
17367
17368 @kindex set rstack_high_address
17369 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
17370 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
17371 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
17372 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
17373 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
17374 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
17375 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
17376 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
17377 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
17378 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
17379 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
17380 hexadecimal.
17381
17382 @kindex show rstack_high_address
17383 @item show rstack_high_address
17384 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
17385 processors.
17386
17387 @end table
17388
17389 @node Alpha
17390 @subsection Alpha
17391
17392 See the following section.
17393
17394 @node MIPS
17395 @subsection MIPS
17396
17397 @cindex stack on Alpha
17398 @cindex stack on MIPS
17399 @cindex Alpha stack
17400 @cindex MIPS stack
17401 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
17402 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
17403 find the beginning of a function.
17404
17405 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
17406 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
17407 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
17408 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
17409 commands:
17410
17411 @table @code
17412 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
17413 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
17414 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
17415 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
17416 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
17417 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
17418 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
17419 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
17420
17421 @item show heuristic-fence-post
17422 Display the current limit.
17423 @end table
17424
17425 @noindent
17426 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
17427 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
17428
17429 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
17430 programs:
17431
17432 @table @code
17433 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
17434 @kindex set mips abi
17435 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
17436 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
17437 values of @var{arg} are:
17438
17439 @table @samp
17440 @item auto
17441 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
17442 default).
17443 @item o32
17444 @item o64
17445 @item n32
17446 @item n64
17447 @item eabi32
17448 @item eabi64
17449 @item auto
17450 @end table
17451
17452 @item show mips abi
17453 @kindex show mips abi
17454 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
17455
17456 @item set mipsfpu
17457 @itemx show mipsfpu
17458 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
17459
17460 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
17461 @kindex set mips mask-address
17462 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
17463 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
17464 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
17465 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
17466 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
17467
17468 @item show mips mask-address
17469 @kindex show mips mask-address
17470 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
17471 not.
17472
17473 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17474 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17475 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
17476 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
17477 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
17478 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
17479
17480 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17481 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17482 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
17483
17484 @item set debug mips
17485 @kindex set debug mips
17486 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
17487 target code in @value{GDBN}.
17488
17489 @item show debug mips
17490 @kindex show debug mips
17491 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
17492 @end table
17493
17494
17495 @node HPPA
17496 @subsection HPPA
17497 @cindex HPPA support
17498
17499 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
17500 following special commands:
17501
17502 @table @code
17503 @item set debug hppa
17504 @kindex set debug hppa
17505 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
17506 messages are to be displayed.
17507
17508 @item show debug hppa
17509 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
17510
17511 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
17512 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
17513 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
17514 given @var{address}.
17515
17516 @end table
17517
17518
17519 @node SPU
17520 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17521 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
17522 @cindex SPU
17523
17524 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
17525 it provides the following special commands:
17526
17527 @table @code
17528 @item info spu event
17529 @kindex info spu
17530 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
17531 and pending event status.
17532
17533 @item info spu signal
17534 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
17535 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
17536 notification channels.
17537
17538 @item info spu mailbox
17539 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
17540 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
17541 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
17542
17543 @item info spu dma
17544 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
17545 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
17546 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
17547
17548 @item info spu proxydma
17549 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
17550 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
17551 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
17552
17553 @end table
17554
17555 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
17556 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
17557 special commands:
17558
17559 @table @code
17560 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
17561 @kindex set spu
17562 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
17563 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
17564 function. The default is @code{off}.
17565
17566 @item show spu stop-on-load
17567 @kindex show spu
17568 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
17569
17570 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
17571 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
17572 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
17573 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
17574 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
17575 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
17576
17577 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
17578 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
17579
17580 @end table
17581
17582 @node PowerPC
17583 @subsection PowerPC
17584 @cindex PowerPC architecture
17585
17586 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
17587 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
17588 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
17589 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
17590 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
17591
17592 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
17593 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
17594 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
17595
17596 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
17597 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
17598
17599
17600 @node Controlling GDB
17601 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
17602
17603 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
17604 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
17605 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
17606 described here.
17607
17608 @menu
17609 * Prompt:: Prompt
17610 * Editing:: Command editing
17611 * Command History:: Command history
17612 * Screen Size:: Screen size
17613 * Numbers:: Numbers
17614 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
17615 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
17616 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
17617 @end menu
17618
17619 @node Prompt
17620 @section Prompt
17621
17622 @cindex prompt
17623
17624 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
17625 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
17626 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
17627 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
17628 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
17629 which one you are talking to.
17630
17631 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
17632 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
17633 or a prompt that does not.
17634
17635 @table @code
17636 @kindex set prompt
17637 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
17638 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
17639
17640 @kindex show prompt
17641 @item show prompt
17642 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
17643 @end table
17644
17645 @node Editing
17646 @section Command Editing
17647 @cindex readline
17648 @cindex command line editing
17649
17650 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
17651 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
17652 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
17653 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
17654 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
17655 debugging sessions.
17656
17657 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
17658 command @code{set}.
17659
17660 @table @code
17661 @kindex set editing
17662 @cindex editing
17663 @item set editing
17664 @itemx set editing on
17665 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
17666
17667 @item set editing off
17668 Disable command line editing.
17669
17670 @kindex show editing
17671 @item show editing
17672 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
17673 @end table
17674
17675 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
17676 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
17677 encouraged to read that chapter.
17678
17679 @node Command History
17680 @section Command History
17681 @cindex command history
17682
17683 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
17684 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
17685 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
17686 history facility.
17687
17688 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
17689 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
17690 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
17691
17692 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
17693 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
17694 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
17695 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
17696 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
17697 pressed on a line by itself.
17698
17699 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
17700 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
17701 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
17702 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
17703
17704 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
17705 history.
17706
17707 @table @code
17708 @cindex history substitution
17709 @cindex history file
17710 @kindex set history filename
17711 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
17712 @item set history filename @var{fname}
17713 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
17714 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
17715 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
17716 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
17717 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
17718 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
17719 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
17720 is not set.
17721
17722 @cindex save command history
17723 @kindex set history save
17724 @item set history save
17725 @itemx set history save on
17726 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
17727 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
17728
17729 @item set history save off
17730 Stop recording command history in a file.
17731
17732 @cindex history size
17733 @kindex set history size
17734 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
17735 @item set history size @var{size}
17736 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
17737 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
17738 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
17739 @end table
17740
17741 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
17742 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
17743
17744 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
17745 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
17746 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
17747 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
17748 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
17749 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
17750 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
17751 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
17752
17753 The commands to control history expansion are:
17754
17755 @table @code
17756 @item set history expansion on
17757 @itemx set history expansion
17758 @kindex set history expansion
17759 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
17760
17761 @item set history expansion off
17762 Disable history expansion.
17763
17764 @c @group
17765 @kindex show history
17766 @item show history
17767 @itemx show history filename
17768 @itemx show history save
17769 @itemx show history size
17770 @itemx show history expansion
17771 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
17772 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
17773 @c @end group
17774 @end table
17775
17776 @table @code
17777 @kindex show commands
17778 @cindex show last commands
17779 @cindex display command history
17780 @item show commands
17781 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
17782
17783 @item show commands @var{n}
17784 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
17785
17786 @item show commands +
17787 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
17788 @end table
17789
17790 @node Screen Size
17791 @section Screen Size
17792 @cindex size of screen
17793 @cindex pauses in output
17794
17795 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
17796 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
17797 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
17798 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
17799 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
17800 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
17801 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
17802 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
17803
17804 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
17805 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
17806 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
17807 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
17808 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
17809 width} commands:
17810
17811 @table @code
17812 @kindex set height
17813 @kindex set width
17814 @kindex show width
17815 @kindex show height
17816 @item set height @var{lpp}
17817 @itemx show height
17818 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
17819 @itemx show width
17820 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
17821 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
17822 commands display the current settings.
17823
17824 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
17825 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
17826 file or to an editor buffer.
17827
17828 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
17829 from wrapping its output.
17830
17831 @item set pagination on
17832 @itemx set pagination off
17833 @kindex set pagination
17834 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
17835 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
17836
17837 @item show pagination
17838 @kindex show pagination
17839 Show the current pagination mode.
17840 @end table
17841
17842 @node Numbers
17843 @section Numbers
17844 @cindex number representation
17845 @cindex entering numbers
17846
17847 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
17848 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
17849 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
17850 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
17851 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
17852 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
17853 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
17854 both input and output with the commands described below.
17855
17856 @table @code
17857 @kindex set input-radix
17858 @item set input-radix @var{base}
17859 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
17860 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
17861 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
17862 example, any of
17863
17864 @smallexample
17865 set input-radix 012
17866 set input-radix 10.
17867 set input-radix 0xa
17868 @end smallexample
17869
17870 @noindent
17871 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
17872 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
17873 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
17874 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
17875 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
17876 change the radix.
17877
17878 @kindex set output-radix
17879 @item set output-radix @var{base}
17880 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
17881 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
17882 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
17883
17884 @kindex show input-radix
17885 @item show input-radix
17886 Display the current default base for numeric input.
17887
17888 @kindex show output-radix
17889 @item show output-radix
17890 Display the current default base for numeric display.
17891
17892 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
17893 @itemx show radix
17894 @kindex set radix
17895 @kindex show radix
17896 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
17897 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
17898 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
17899 default value of 10.
17900
17901 @end table
17902
17903 @node ABI
17904 @section Configuring the Current ABI
17905
17906 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
17907 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
17908 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
17909 current ABI.
17910
17911 @cindex OS ABI
17912 @kindex set osabi
17913 @kindex show osabi
17914
17915 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
17916 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
17917 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
17918 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
17919 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
17920 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
17921 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
17922 platform provides.
17923
17924 @table @code
17925 @item show osabi
17926 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
17927
17928 @item set osabi
17929 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
17930
17931 @item set osabi @var{abi}
17932 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
17933 @end table
17934
17935 @cindex float promotion
17936
17937 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
17938 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
17939 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
17940 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
17941 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
17942 @code{double} and then passed.
17943
17944 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
17945 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
17946 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
17947
17948 @table @code
17949 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
17950 @item set coerce-float-to-double
17951 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
17952 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
17953 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
17954
17955 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
17956 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
17957 functions.
17958
17959 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
17960 @item show coerce-float-to-double
17961 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
17962 @end table
17963
17964 @kindex set cp-abi
17965 @kindex show cp-abi
17966 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
17967 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
17968 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
17969 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
17970 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
17971 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
17972 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
17973 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
17974 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
17975 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
17976 ``auto''.
17977
17978 @table @code
17979 @item show cp-abi
17980 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
17981
17982 @item set cp-abi
17983 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
17984
17985 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
17986 @itemx set cp-abi auto
17987 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
17988 @end table
17989
17990 @node Messages/Warnings
17991 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
17992
17993 @cindex verbose operation
17994 @cindex optional warnings
17995 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
17996 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
17997 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
17998 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
17999
18000 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
18001 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
18002 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
18003
18004 @table @code
18005 @kindex set verbose
18006 @item set verbose on
18007 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18008
18009 @item set verbose off
18010 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18011
18012 @kindex show verbose
18013 @item show verbose
18014 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
18015 @end table
18016
18017 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
18018 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
18019 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
18020 Symbol Files}).
18021
18022 @table @code
18023
18024 @kindex set complaints
18025 @item set complaints @var{limit}
18026 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
18027 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
18028 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
18029 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
18030
18031 @kindex show complaints
18032 @item show complaints
18033 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
18034
18035 @end table
18036
18037 @anchor{confirmation requests}
18038 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
18039 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
18040 you try to run a program which is already running:
18041
18042 @smallexample
18043 (@value{GDBP}) run
18044 The program being debugged has been started already.
18045 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
18046 @end smallexample
18047
18048 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
18049 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
18050
18051 @table @code
18052
18053 @kindex set confirm
18054 @cindex flinching
18055 @cindex confirmation
18056 @cindex stupid questions
18057 @item set confirm off
18058 Disables confirmation requests.
18059
18060 @item set confirm on
18061 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
18062
18063 @kindex show confirm
18064 @item show confirm
18065 Displays state of confirmation requests.
18066
18067 @end table
18068
18069 @cindex command tracing
18070 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
18071 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
18072 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
18073 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
18074
18075 @table @code
18076 @kindex set trace-commands
18077 @cindex command scripts, debugging
18078 @item set trace-commands on
18079 Enable command tracing.
18080 @item set trace-commands off
18081 Disable command tracing.
18082 @item show trace-commands
18083 Display the current state of command tracing.
18084 @end table
18085
18086 @node Debugging Output
18087 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
18088 @cindex optional debugging messages
18089
18090 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
18091 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
18092 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
18093 section documents those commands.
18094
18095 @table @code
18096 @kindex set exec-done-display
18097 @item set exec-done-display
18098 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
18099 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
18100 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
18101 @kindex show exec-done-display
18102 @item show exec-done-display
18103 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
18104 notification.
18105 @kindex set debug
18106 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
18107 @cindex architecture debugging info
18108 @item set debug arch
18109 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
18110 @kindex show debug
18111 @item show debug arch
18112 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
18113 @item set debug aix-thread
18114 @cindex AIX threads
18115 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
18116 module.
18117 @item show debug aix-thread
18118 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
18119 @item set debug dwarf2-die
18120 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
18121 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
18122 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
18123 A value of zero turns off the display.
18124 @item show debug dwarf2-die
18125 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
18126 @item set debug displaced
18127 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
18128 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
18129 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
18130 @item show debug displaced
18131 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
18132 related to displaced stepping.
18133 @item set debug event
18134 @cindex event debugging info
18135 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
18136 default is off.
18137 @item show debug event
18138 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
18139 info.
18140 @item set debug expression
18141 @cindex expression debugging info
18142 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
18143 expression parsing. The default is off.
18144 @item show debug expression
18145 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
18146 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
18147 @item set debug frame
18148 @cindex frame debugging info
18149 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
18150 default is off.
18151 @item show debug frame
18152 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
18153 info.
18154 @item set debug gnu-nat
18155 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
18156 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
18157 @item show debug gnu-nat
18158 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
18159 @item set debug infrun
18160 @cindex inferior debugging info
18161 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
18162 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
18163 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
18164 @item show debug infrun
18165 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
18166 @item set debug lin-lwp
18167 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
18168 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18169 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
18170 @item show debug lin-lwp
18171 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
18172 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
18173 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
18174 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18175 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
18176 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
18177 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
18178 @item set debug observer
18179 @cindex observer debugging info
18180 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
18181 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
18182 @item show debug observer
18183 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
18184 @item set debug overload
18185 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
18186 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
18187 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
18188 is off.
18189 @item show debug overload
18190 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
18191 debugging info.
18192 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
18193 @cindex serial connections, debugging
18194 @cindex debug remote protocol
18195 @cindex remote protocol debugging
18196 @cindex display remote packets
18197 @item set debug remote
18198 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
18199 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
18200 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
18201 @item show debug remote
18202 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
18203 @item set debug serial
18204 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
18205 default is off.
18206 @item show debug serial
18207 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
18208 info.
18209 @item set debug solib-frv
18210 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
18211 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
18212 @item show debug solib-frv
18213 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
18214 messages.
18215 @item set debug target
18216 @cindex target debugging info
18217 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
18218 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
18219 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
18220 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
18221 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
18222 @item show debug target
18223 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
18224 info.
18225 @item set debug timestamp
18226 @cindex timestampping debugging info
18227 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
18228 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
18229 message.
18230 @item show debug timestamp
18231 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
18232 debugging info.
18233 @item set debugvarobj
18234 @cindex variable object debugging info
18235 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
18236 info. The default is off.
18237 @item show debugvarobj
18238 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
18239 debugging info.
18240 @item set debug xml
18241 @cindex XML parser debugging
18242 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
18243 @item show debug xml
18244 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
18245 @end table
18246
18247 @node Extending GDB
18248 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
18249 @cindex extending GDB
18250
18251 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
18252 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
18253 Python scripting language.
18254
18255 @menu
18256 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
18257 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
18258 @end menu
18259
18260 @node Sequences
18261 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
18262
18263 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
18264 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
18265 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
18266 files.
18267
18268 @menu
18269 * Define:: How to define your own commands
18270 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
18271 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
18272 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
18273 @end menu
18274
18275 @node Define
18276 @subsection User-defined Commands
18277
18278 @cindex user-defined command
18279 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
18280 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
18281 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
18282 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
18283 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
18284 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
18285
18286 @smallexample
18287 define adder
18288 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18289 end
18290 @end smallexample
18291
18292 @noindent
18293 To execute the command use:
18294
18295 @smallexample
18296 adder 1 2 3
18297 @end smallexample
18298
18299 @noindent
18300 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
18301 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
18302 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
18303 functions calls.
18304
18305 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
18306 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
18307 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
18308 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
18309
18310 @smallexample
18311 define adder
18312 if $argc == 2
18313 print $arg0 + $arg1
18314 end
18315 if $argc == 3
18316 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18317 end
18318 end
18319 @end smallexample
18320
18321 @table @code
18322
18323 @kindex define
18324 @item define @var{commandname}
18325 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
18326 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
18327 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
18328 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
18329 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
18330 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
18331
18332 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
18333 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
18334 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18335
18336 @kindex document
18337 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
18338 @item document @var{commandname}
18339 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
18340 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
18341 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
18342 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
18343 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
18344 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
18345
18346 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
18347 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
18348 does not change the documentation.
18349
18350 @kindex dont-repeat
18351 @cindex don't repeat command
18352 @item dont-repeat
18353 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
18354 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
18355 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
18356
18357 @kindex help user-defined
18358 @item help user-defined
18359 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
18360 (if any) for each.
18361
18362 @kindex show user
18363 @item show user
18364 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
18365 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
18366 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
18367 definitions for all user-defined commands.
18368
18369 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
18370 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
18371 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
18372 @item show max-user-call-depth
18373 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
18374 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
18375 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
18376 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
18377 @end table
18378
18379 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
18380 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
18381
18382 When user-defined commands are executed, the
18383 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
18384 stops execution of the user-defined command.
18385
18386 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
18387 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
18388 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
18389 messages when used in a user-defined command.
18390
18391 @node Hooks
18392 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
18393 @cindex command hooks
18394 @cindex hooks, for commands
18395 @cindex hooks, pre-command
18396
18397 @kindex hook
18398 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
18399 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
18400 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
18401 before that command.
18402
18403 @cindex hooks, post-command
18404 @kindex hookpost
18405 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
18406 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
18407 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
18408 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
18409 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
18410
18411 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
18412 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
18413
18414 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
18415 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
18416
18417 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
18418 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
18419 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
18420 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
18421 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
18422
18423 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
18424 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
18425 you could define:
18426
18427 @smallexample
18428 define hook-stop
18429 handle SIGALRM nopass
18430 end
18431
18432 define hook-run
18433 handle SIGALRM pass
18434 end
18435
18436 define hook-continue
18437 handle SIGALRM pass
18438 end
18439 @end smallexample
18440
18441 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
18442 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
18443 you could define:
18444
18445 @smallexample
18446 define hook-echo
18447 echo <<<---
18448 end
18449
18450 define hookpost-echo
18451 echo --->>>\n
18452 end
18453
18454 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
18455 <<<---Hello World--->>>
18456 (@value{GDBP})
18457
18458 @end smallexample
18459
18460 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
18461 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
18462 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
18463 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
18464 @c or not?
18465 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
18466 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
18467 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
18468
18469 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
18470 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
18471 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
18472
18473 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
18474 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
18475
18476 @node Command Files
18477 @subsection Command Files
18478
18479 @cindex command files
18480 @cindex scripting commands
18481 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
18482 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
18483 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
18484 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
18485 terminal.
18486
18487 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
18488 command:
18489
18490 @table @code
18491 @kindex source
18492 @cindex execute commands from a file
18493 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
18494 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
18495 @end table
18496
18497 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
18498 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
18499 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
18500 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
18501 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
18502
18503 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
18504 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
18505
18506 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
18507 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
18508 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
18509
18510 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
18511 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
18512 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
18513 when called from command files.
18514
18515 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
18516 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
18517 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
18518 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
18519 the next command.
18520
18521 @smallexample
18522 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
18523 @end smallexample
18524
18525 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
18526 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
18527 would be directed to @file{log}.
18528
18529 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
18530 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
18531 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
18532 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
18533 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
18534 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
18535 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
18536 conditionally, etc.
18537
18538 @table @code
18539 @kindex if
18540 @kindex else
18541 @item if
18542 @itemx else
18543 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
18544 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
18545 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
18546 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
18547 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
18548 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
18549 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18550
18551 @kindex while
18552 @item while
18553 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
18554 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
18555 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
18556 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
18557 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
18558 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
18559
18560 @kindex loop_break
18561 @item loop_break
18562 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
18563 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
18564 line.
18565
18566 @kindex loop_continue
18567 @item loop_continue
18568 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
18569 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
18570 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
18571 the controlling expression.
18572
18573 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
18574 @item end
18575 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
18576 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
18577 @end table
18578
18579
18580 @node Output
18581 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
18582
18583 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
18584 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
18585 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
18586 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
18587 want.
18588
18589 @table @code
18590 @kindex echo
18591 @item echo @var{text}
18592 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
18593 @c because it is not in ANSI.
18594 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
18595 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
18596 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
18597 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
18598 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
18599 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
18600 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
18601 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
18602 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
18603
18604 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
18605 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
18606
18607 @smallexample
18608 echo This is some text\n\
18609 which is continued\n\
18610 onto several lines.\n
18611 @end smallexample
18612
18613 produces the same output as
18614
18615 @smallexample
18616 echo This is some text\n
18617 echo which is continued\n
18618 echo onto several lines.\n
18619 @end smallexample
18620
18621 @kindex output
18622 @item output @var{expression}
18623 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
18624 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
18625 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
18626 on expressions.
18627
18628 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
18629 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
18630 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
18631 Formats}, for more information.
18632
18633 @kindex printf
18634 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
18635 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
18636 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
18637 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
18638 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
18639 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
18640 executing the code below:
18641
18642 @smallexample
18643 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
18644 @end smallexample
18645
18646 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
18647 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
18648 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
18649 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
18650 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
18651 printed.
18652
18653 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
18654
18655 @smallexample
18656 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
18657 @end smallexample
18658
18659 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
18660 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
18661 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
18662
18663 @itemize @bullet
18664 @item
18665 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
18666
18667 @item
18668 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
18669 width.
18670
18671 @item
18672 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
18673 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
18674
18675 @item
18676 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
18677 supported.
18678
18679 @item
18680 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
18681
18682 @item
18683 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
18684 @end itemize
18685
18686 @noindent
18687 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
18688 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
18689 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
18690 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
18691
18692 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
18693 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
18694 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
18695 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
18696 supported.
18697
18698 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
18699 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
18700 together with a floating point specifier.
18701 letters:
18702
18703 @itemize @bullet
18704 @item
18705 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
18706
18707 @item
18708 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
18709
18710 @item
18711 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
18712 @end itemize
18713
18714 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
18715 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
18716 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
18717
18718 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
18719 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
18720
18721 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
18722 @smallexample
18723 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
18724 @end smallexample
18725
18726 @end table
18727
18728 @node Python
18729 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
18730 @cindex python scripting
18731 @cindex scripting with python
18732
18733 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
18734 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
18735 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
18736
18737 @menu
18738 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
18739 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
18740 @end menu
18741
18742 @node Python Commands
18743 @subsection Python Commands
18744 @cindex python commands
18745 @cindex commands to access python
18746
18747 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
18748 and one related setting:
18749
18750 @table @code
18751 @kindex python
18752 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
18753 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
18754
18755 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
18756 argument as a Python command. For example:
18757
18758 @smallexample
18759 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
18760 23
18761 @end smallexample
18762
18763 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
18764 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
18765 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
18766 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
18767 containing @code{end}. For example:
18768
18769 @smallexample
18770 (@value{GDBP}) python
18771 Type python script
18772 End with a line saying just "end".
18773 >print 23
18774 >end
18775 23
18776 @end smallexample
18777
18778 @kindex maint set python print-stack
18779 @item maint set python print-stack
18780 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
18781 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
18782 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
18783 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
18784 disabled.
18785 @end table
18786
18787 @node Python API
18788 @subsection Python API
18789 @cindex python api
18790 @cindex programming in python
18791
18792 @cindex python stdout
18793 @cindex python pagination
18794 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
18795 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
18796 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
18797 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
18798 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
18799
18800 @menu
18801 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
18802 * Exception Handling::
18803 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
18804 * Values From Inferior::
18805 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
18806 * Pretty Printing:: Pretty-printing values.
18807 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
18808 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
18809 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
18810 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
18811 * Frames In Python:: Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
18812 @end menu
18813
18814 @node Basic Python
18815 @subsubsection Basic Python
18816
18817 @cindex python functions
18818 @cindex python module
18819 @cindex gdb module
18820 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
18821 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
18822 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
18823 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
18824
18825 @findex gdb.execute
18826 @defun execute command [from_tty]
18827 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
18828 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
18829 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
18830 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
18831
18832 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
18833 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
18834 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
18835 @end defun
18836
18837 @findex gdb.parameter
18838 @defun parameter parameter
18839 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
18840 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
18841 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
18842 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
18843
18844 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
18845 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
18846 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
18847 @end defun
18848
18849 @findex gdb.history
18850 @defun history number
18851 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
18852 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
18853 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
18854 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
18855 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
18856 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
18857 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
18858 raised.
18859
18860 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
18861 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
18862 @end defun
18863
18864 @findex gdb.write
18865 @defun write string
18866 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
18867 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
18868 call this function.
18869 @end defun
18870
18871 @findex gdb.flush
18872 @defun flush
18873 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
18874 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
18875 function.
18876 @end defun
18877
18878 @node Exception Handling
18879 @subsubsection Exception Handling
18880 @cindex python exceptions
18881 @cindex exceptions, python
18882
18883 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
18884 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
18885 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
18886 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
18887 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
18888 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
18889 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
18890
18891 @smallexample
18892 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
18893 Traceback (most recent call last):
18894 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
18895 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
18896 @end smallexample
18897
18898 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
18899 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
18900 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
18901 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
18902 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
18903 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
18904 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
18905 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
18906 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
18907 traceback.
18908
18909 @node Auto-loading
18910 @subsubsection Auto-loading
18911 @cindex auto-loading, Python
18912
18913 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
18914 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
18915 @value{GDBN} will look for a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
18916 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
18917 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
18918 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
18919 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
18920
18921 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
18922 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
18923 then @value{GDBN} will use the file named
18924 @file{@var{debug-file-directory}/@var{real-name}}, where
18925 @var{real-name} is the object file's real name, as described above.
18926
18927 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
18928 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
18929 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
18930 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
18931 is the object file's real name, as described above.
18932
18933 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the ``current
18934 objfile''. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
18935 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
18936 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
18937
18938 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
18939 debugging commands and scripts. You can enable or disable this
18940 feature, and view its current state.
18941
18942 @table @code
18943 @kindex maint set python auto-load
18944 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
18945 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
18946
18947 @kindex show python auto-load
18948 @item show python auto-load
18949 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
18950 @end table
18951
18952 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded.
18953 So, your @samp{-gdb.py} file should take care to ensure that it may be
18954 evaluated multiple times without error.
18955
18956 @node Values From Inferior
18957 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
18958 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
18959 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
18960
18961 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
18962 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
18963 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
18964 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
18965 fetching values when necessary.
18966
18967 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
18968 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
18969 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
18970
18971 @smallexample
18972 bar = some_val + 2
18973 @end smallexample
18974
18975 @noindent
18976 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
18977 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
18978
18979 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
18980 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
18981 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
18982 can access its @code{foo} element with:
18983
18984 @smallexample
18985 bar = some_val['foo']
18986 @end smallexample
18987
18988 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
18989
18990 The following attributes are provided:
18991
18992 @table @code
18993 @defivar Value address
18994 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
18995 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
18996 this attribute holds @code{None}.
18997 @end defivar
18998
18999 @cindex optimized out value in Python
19000 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
19001 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
19002 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
19003 @end defivar
19004
19005 @defivar Value type
19006 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
19007 @code{gdb.Type} object.
19008 @end defivar
19009 @end table
19010
19011 The following methods are provided:
19012
19013 @table @code
19014 @defmethod Value dereference
19015 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
19016 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
19017 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
19018
19019 @smallexample
19020 int *foo;
19021 @end smallexample
19022
19023 @noindent
19024 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
19025 @code{foo} points to like this:
19026
19027 @smallexample
19028 bar = foo.dereference ()
19029 @end smallexample
19030
19031 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
19032 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
19033 @end defmethod
19034
19035 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
19036 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
19037 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
19038 throw an exception.
19039
19040 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
19041 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
19042 language.
19043
19044 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
19045 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
19046 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
19047 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
19048 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
19049
19050 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
19051 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
19052 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
19053 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
19054 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
19055 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
19056 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
19057 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
19058 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
19059
19060 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
19061 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
19062
19063 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
19064 fetched and converted to the given length.
19065 @end defmethod
19066 @end table
19067
19068 @node Types In Python
19069 @subsubsection Types In Python
19070 @cindex types in Python
19071 @cindex Python, working with types
19072
19073 @tindex gdb.Type
19074 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
19075 @code{gdb.Type}.
19076
19077 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
19078 module:
19079
19080 @findex gdb.lookup_type
19081 @defun lookup_type name [block]
19082 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
19083 type to look up. It must be a string.
19084
19085 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
19086 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
19087 @end defun
19088
19089 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
19090
19091 @table @code
19092 @defivar Type code
19093 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
19094 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
19095 @end defivar
19096
19097 @defivar Type sizeof
19098 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
19099 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
19100 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
19101 @end defivar
19102
19103 @defivar Type tag
19104 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
19105 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
19106 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
19107 @code{None} is returned.
19108 @end defivar
19109 @end table
19110
19111 The following methods are provided:
19112
19113 @table @code
19114 @defmethod Type fields
19115 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
19116 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
19117 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
19118 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
19119 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
19120 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
19121
19122 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
19123 @table @code
19124 @item bitpos
19125 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
19126 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
19127 position of the field.
19128
19129 @item name
19130 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
19131
19132 @item artificial
19133 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
19134 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
19135 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
19136
19137 @item bitsize
19138 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
19139 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
19140 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
19141
19142 @item type
19143 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
19144 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
19145 @end table
19146 @end defmethod
19147
19148 @defmethod Type const
19149 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19150 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
19151 @end defmethod
19152
19153 @defmethod Type volatile
19154 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19155 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
19156 @end defmethod
19157
19158 @defmethod Type unqualified
19159 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
19160 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
19161 @code{volatile}.
19162 @end defmethod
19163
19164 @defmethod Type reference
19165 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
19166 type.
19167 @end defmethod
19168
19169 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
19170 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
19171 after removing all layers of typedefs.
19172 @end defmethod
19173
19174 @defmethod Type target
19175 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
19176 of this type.
19177
19178 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
19179 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
19180 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
19181 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
19182 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
19183 target type is the aliased type.
19184
19185 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
19186 exception.
19187 @end defmethod
19188
19189 @defmethod Type template_argument n
19190 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
19191 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
19192 @var{n}th template argument.
19193
19194 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
19195 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
19196
19197 @var{name} is searched for globally.
19198 @end defmethod
19199 @end table
19200
19201
19202 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
19203 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
19204 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19205
19206 @table @code
19207 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
19208 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
19209 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
19210 The type is a pointer.
19211
19212 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19213 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19214 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19215 The type is an array.
19216
19217 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19218 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19219 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19220 The type is a structure.
19221
19222 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
19223 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
19224 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
19225 The type is a union.
19226
19227 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19228 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19229 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19230 The type is an enum.
19231
19232 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19233 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19234 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19235 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
19236
19237 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19238 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19239 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19240 The type is a function.
19241
19242 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
19243 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
19244 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
19245 The type is an integer type.
19246
19247 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
19248 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
19249 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
19250 A floating point type.
19251
19252 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
19253 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
19254 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
19255 The special type @code{void}.
19256
19257 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
19258 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
19259 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
19260 A Pascal set type.
19261
19262 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19263 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19264 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19265 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
19266
19267 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
19268 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
19269 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
19270 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
19271 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
19272
19273 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19274 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19275 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19276 A string of bits.
19277
19278 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19279 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19280 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19281 An unknown or erroneous type.
19282
19283 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19284 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19285 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19286 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
19287
19288 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19289 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19290 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19291 A pointer-to-member-function.
19292
19293 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19294 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19295 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19296 A pointer-to-member.
19297
19298 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
19299 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
19300 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
19301 A reference type.
19302
19303 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19304 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19305 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19306 A character type.
19307
19308 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19309 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19310 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19311 A boolean type.
19312
19313 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19314 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19315 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19316 A complex float type.
19317
19318 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19319 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19320 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19321 A typedef to some other type.
19322
19323 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19324 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19325 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19326 A C@t{++} namespace.
19327
19328 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19329 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19330 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19331 A decimal floating point type.
19332
19333 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19334 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19335 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19336 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
19337 convenience functions.
19338 @end table
19339
19340 @node Pretty Printing
19341 @subsubsection Pretty Printing
19342
19343 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values
19344 using Python code. The pretty-printer API allows application-specific
19345 code to greatly simplify the display of complex objects. This
19346 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
19347
19348 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
19349 pretty-printer:
19350
19351 @smallexample
19352 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19353 $1 = @{
19354 static npos = 4294967295,
19355 _M_dataplus = @{
19356 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
19357 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{<No data fields>@}, <No data fields>@},
19358 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
19359 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
19360 @}
19361 @}
19362 @end smallexample
19363
19364 After a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} has been installed, only
19365 the contents are printed:
19366
19367 @smallexample
19368 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19369 $2 = "abcd"
19370 @end smallexample
19371
19372 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
19373 specific interface, defined here.
19374
19375 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
19376 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
19377 children of the pretty-printer's value.
19378
19379 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
19380 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
19381 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
19382 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
19383 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
19384
19385 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
19386 as though the value has no children.
19387 @end defop
19388
19389 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
19390 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
19391 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
19392 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
19393 printed.
19394
19395 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
19396 string.
19397
19398 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
19399
19400 @table @samp
19401 @item array
19402 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
19403 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
19404 @code{set print array}.
19405
19406 @item map
19407 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
19408 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
19409 values.
19410
19411 @item string
19412 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
19413 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
19414 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
19415 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
19416 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
19417 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
19418 @end table
19419 @end defop
19420
19421 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
19422 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
19423 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
19424
19425 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
19426 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
19427 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
19428 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
19429 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
19430 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
19431 the result of @code{children}.
19432
19433 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
19434
19435 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
19436 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
19437 another pretty-printer.
19438
19439 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
19440 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
19441 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
19442 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
19443 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
19444
19445 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
19446 @end defop
19447
19448 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
19449 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
19450
19451 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
19452 functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
19453 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
19454 attribute.
19455
19456 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
19457 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
19458 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing}). If a function
19459 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
19460 @code{None}.
19461
19462 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
19463 @code{gdb.Objfile} and iteratively calls each function in the list for
19464 that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives a pretty-printer object.
19465 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
19466 @code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
19467 object is returned.
19468
19469 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
19470 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
19471 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
19472 object is returned.
19473
19474 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
19475 written:
19476
19477 @smallexample
19478 class StdStringPrinter:
19479 "Print a std::string"
19480
19481 def __init__ (self, val):
19482 self.val = val
19483
19484 def to_string (self):
19485 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
19486
19487 def display_hint (self):
19488 return 'string'
19489 @end smallexample
19490
19491 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
19492 example above might be written.
19493
19494 @smallexample
19495 def str_lookup_function (val):
19496
19497 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
19498 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
19499 if lookup_tag == None:
19500 return None
19501 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
19502 return StdStringPrinter (val)
19503
19504 return None
19505 @end smallexample
19506
19507 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
19508 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
19509 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
19510 returns @code{None}.
19511
19512 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
19513 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
19514 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
19515 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
19516 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
19517 different names.
19518
19519 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
19520 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
19521 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
19522 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
19523 the current objfile.
19524
19525 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
19526 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
19527 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
19528 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
19529 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
19530 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
19531 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
19532 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
19533 inferior.
19534
19535 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
19536 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
19537
19538 @smallexample
19539 def register_printers (objfile):
19540 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
19541 @end smallexample
19542
19543 @noindent
19544 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
19545
19546 @smallexample
19547 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
19548 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
19549 @end smallexample
19550
19551 @node Commands In Python
19552 @subsubsection Commands In Python
19553
19554 @cindex commands in python
19555 @cindex python commands
19556 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
19557 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
19558 class, most commonly using a subclass.
19559
19560 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
19561 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
19562 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
19563 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
19564
19565 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
19566 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
19567 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
19568 an exception is raised.
19569
19570 There is no support for multi-line commands.
19571
19572 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
19573 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
19574 new command in the help system.
19575
19576 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
19577 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
19578 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
19579 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
19580 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
19581 error will occur when completion is attempted.
19582
19583 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
19584 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
19585 registered.
19586
19587 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
19588 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
19589 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
19590 not documented.'' is used.
19591 @end defmethod
19592
19593 @cindex don't repeat Python command
19594 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
19595 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
19596 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
19597 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
19598 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
19599 @end defmethod
19600
19601 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
19602 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
19603
19604 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
19605 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
19606
19607 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
19608 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
19609 that the command came from elsewhere.
19610
19611 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
19612 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
19613 @end defmethod
19614
19615 @cindex completion of Python commands
19616 @defmethod Command complete text word
19617 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
19618 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
19619 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
19620 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
19621 complete}).
19622
19623 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
19624 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
19625 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
19626 using a word-breaking heuristic.
19627
19628 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
19629 @itemize @bullet
19630 @item
19631 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
19632 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
19633 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
19634 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
19635 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
19636 sequence are ignored.
19637
19638 @item
19639 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
19640 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
19641 function is invoked, and its result is used.
19642
19643 @item
19644 All other results are treated as though there were no available
19645 completions.
19646 @end itemize
19647 @end defmethod
19648
19649 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
19650 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
19651 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
19652 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
19653 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
19654 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19655
19656 @table @code
19657 @findex COMMAND_NONE
19658 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
19659 @item COMMAND_NONE
19660 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
19661 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
19662
19663 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
19664 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
19665 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
19666 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
19667 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
19668 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19669 commands in this category.
19670
19671 @findex COMMAND_DATA
19672 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
19673 @item COMMAND_DATA
19674 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
19675 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
19676 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
19677 in this category.
19678
19679 @findex COMMAND_STACK
19680 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
19681 @item COMMAND_STACK
19682 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
19683 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
19684 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
19685 list of commands in this category.
19686
19687 @findex COMMAND_FILES
19688 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
19689 @item COMMAND_FILES
19690 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
19691 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
19692 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19693 commands in this category.
19694
19695 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
19696 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
19697 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
19698 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
19699 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
19700 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
19701 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
19702 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19703 commands in this category.
19704
19705 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
19706 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
19707 @item COMMAND_STATUS
19708 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
19709 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
19710 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
19711 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
19712
19713 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
19714 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
19715 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
19716 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
19717 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
19718 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
19719 this category.
19720
19721 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
19722 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
19723 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
19724 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
19725 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
19726 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19727 commands in this category.
19728
19729 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
19730 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
19731 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
19732 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
19733 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
19734 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
19735 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
19736 category.
19737
19738 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
19739 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
19740 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
19741 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
19742 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
19743 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19744 commands in this category.
19745 @end table
19746
19747 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
19748 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
19749 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
19750 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19751
19752 @table @code
19753 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
19754 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
19755 @item COMPLETE_NONE
19756 This constant means that no completion should be done.
19757
19758 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
19759 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
19760 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
19761 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
19762
19763 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
19764 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
19765 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
19766 This constant means that location completion should be done.
19767 @xref{Specify Location}.
19768
19769 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
19770 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
19771 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
19772 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
19773 command names.
19774
19775 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
19776 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
19777 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
19778 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
19779 as the source.
19780 @end table
19781
19782 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
19783 implemented in Python:
19784
19785 @smallexample
19786 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
19787 """Greet the whole world."""
19788
19789 def __init__ (self):
19790 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
19791
19792 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
19793 print "Hello, World!"
19794
19795 HelloWorld ()
19796 @end smallexample
19797
19798 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
19799 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
19800 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
19801 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
19802
19803 @node Functions In Python
19804 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
19805
19806 @cindex writing convenience functions
19807 @cindex convenience functions in python
19808 @cindex python convenience functions
19809 @tindex gdb.Function
19810 @tindex Function
19811 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
19812 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
19813 class @code{gdb.Function}.
19814
19815 @defmethod Function __init__ name
19816 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
19817 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
19818 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
19819 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
19820 the given @var{name}.
19821
19822 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
19823 string for the new class.
19824 @end defmethod
19825
19826 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
19827 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
19828 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
19829 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
19830 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
19831 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
19832 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
19833 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
19834
19835 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
19836 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
19837 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
19838 @end defmethod
19839
19840 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
19841 be implemented in Python:
19842
19843 @smallexample
19844 class Greet (gdb.Function):
19845 """Return string to greet someone.
19846 Takes a name as argument."""
19847
19848 def __init__ (self):
19849 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
19850
19851 def invoke (self, name):
19852 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
19853
19854 Greet ()
19855 @end smallexample
19856
19857 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
19858 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
19859 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
19860 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
19861
19862 @node Objfiles In Python
19863 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
19864
19865 @cindex objfiles in python
19866 @tindex gdb.Objfile
19867 @tindex Objfile
19868 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
19869 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
19870 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
19871 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
19872 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
19873
19874 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
19875 @code{gdb} module:
19876
19877 @findex gdb.current_objfile
19878 @defun current_objfile
19879 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
19880 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
19881 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
19882 this function returns @code{None}.
19883 @end defun
19884
19885 @findex gdb.objfiles
19886 @defun objfiles
19887 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
19888 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
19889 @end defun
19890
19891 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
19892 class.
19893
19894 @defivar Objfile filename
19895 The file name of the objfile as a string.
19896 @end defivar
19897
19898 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
19899 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
19900 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
19901 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
19902 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
19903 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
19904 information.
19905 @end defivar
19906
19907 @node Frames In Python
19908 @subsubsection Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19909
19910 @cindex frames in python
19911 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
19912 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
19913 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
19914 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
19915 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
19916 exception.
19917
19918 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
19919 operator, like:
19920
19921 @smallexample
19922 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
19923 True
19924 @end smallexample
19925
19926 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
19927
19928 @findex gdb.selected_frame
19929 @defun selected_frame
19930 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
19931 @end defun
19932
19933 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
19934 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
19935 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
19936 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
19937 @end defun
19938
19939 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
19940
19941 @table @code
19942 @defmethod Frame is_valid
19943 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
19944 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
19945 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
19946 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
19947 @end defmethod
19948
19949 @defmethod Frame name
19950 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
19951 obtained.
19952 @end defmethod
19953
19954 @defmethod Frame type
19955 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
19956 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
19957 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
19958 @end defmethod
19959
19960 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
19961 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
19962 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
19963 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
19964 function to a string.
19965 @end defmethod
19966
19967 @defmethod Frame pc
19968 Returns the frame's resume address.
19969 @end defmethod
19970
19971 @defmethod Frame older
19972 Return the frame that called this frame.
19973 @end defmethod
19974
19975 @defmethod Frame newer
19976 Return the frame called by this frame.
19977 @end defmethod
19978
19979 @defmethod Frame read_var variable
19980 Return the value of the given variable in this frame. @var{variable} must
19981 be a string.
19982 @end defmethod
19983 @end table
19984
19985 @node Interpreters
19986 @chapter Command Interpreters
19987 @cindex command interpreters
19988
19989 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
19990 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
19991 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
19992
19993 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
19994 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
19995 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
19996 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
19997
19998 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
19999 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
20000 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
20001 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
20002
20003 @table @code
20004 @item console
20005 @cindex console interpreter
20006 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
20007 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
20008 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
20009
20010 @item mi
20011 @cindex mi interpreter
20012 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
20013 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
20014 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
20015 Interface}.
20016
20017 @item mi2
20018 @cindex mi2 interpreter
20019 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
20020
20021 @item mi1
20022 @cindex mi1 interpreter
20023 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
20024
20025 @end table
20026
20027 @cindex invoke another interpreter
20028 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
20029 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
20030 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
20031 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
20032 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
20033 the IDE inoperable!
20034
20035 @kindex interpreter-exec
20036 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
20037 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
20038 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
20039 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
20040
20041 @smallexample
20042 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
20043 @end smallexample
20044
20045 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
20046 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
20047
20048 @node TUI
20049 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
20050 @cindex TUI
20051 @cindex Text User Interface
20052
20053 @menu
20054 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
20055 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
20056 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
20057 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
20058 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
20059 @end menu
20060
20061 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
20062 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
20063 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
20064 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
20065 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
20066 is available.
20067
20068 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
20069 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
20070 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
20071 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
20072 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
20073 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
20074
20075 @node TUI Overview
20076 @section TUI Overview
20077
20078 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
20079
20080 @table @emph
20081 @item command
20082 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
20083 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
20084 managed using readline.
20085
20086 @item source
20087 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
20088 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
20089
20090 @item assembly
20091 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
20092
20093 @item register
20094 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
20095 when their values change.
20096 @end table
20097
20098 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
20099 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
20100 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
20101 indicates the breakpoint type:
20102
20103 @table @code
20104 @item B
20105 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20106
20107 @item b
20108 Breakpoint which was never hit.
20109
20110 @item H
20111 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20112
20113 @item h
20114 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
20115 @end table
20116
20117 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
20118
20119 @table @code
20120 @item +
20121 Breakpoint is enabled.
20122
20123 @item -
20124 Breakpoint is disabled.
20125 @end table
20126
20127 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
20128 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
20129 changes.
20130
20131 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
20132 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
20133 layouts:
20134
20135 @itemize @bullet
20136 @item
20137 source only,
20138
20139 @item
20140 assembly only,
20141
20142 @item
20143 source and assembly,
20144
20145 @item
20146 source and registers, or
20147
20148 @item
20149 assembly and registers.
20150 @end itemize
20151
20152 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
20153
20154 @table @emph
20155 @item target
20156 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
20157 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
20158
20159 @item process
20160 Gives the current process or thread number.
20161 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
20162
20163 @item function
20164 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
20165 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
20166 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
20167 the string @code{??} is displayed.
20168
20169 @item line
20170 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
20171 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
20172
20173 @item pc
20174 Indicates the current program counter address.
20175 @end table
20176
20177 @node TUI Keys
20178 @section TUI Key Bindings
20179 @cindex TUI key bindings
20180
20181 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
20182 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
20183 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
20184
20185 @table @kbd
20186 @kindex C-x C-a
20187 @item C-x C-a
20188 @kindex C-x a
20189 @itemx C-x a
20190 @kindex C-x A
20191 @itemx C-x A
20192 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
20193 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
20194 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
20195 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
20196 The screen is then refreshed.
20197
20198 @kindex C-x 1
20199 @item C-x 1
20200 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
20201 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
20202 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
20203
20204 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
20205
20206 @kindex C-x 2
20207 @item C-x 2
20208 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
20209 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
20210 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
20211 previous layout and the new one.
20212
20213 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
20214
20215 @kindex C-x o
20216 @item C-x o
20217 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
20218 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
20219 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
20220
20221 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
20222
20223 @kindex C-x s
20224 @item C-x s
20225 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
20226 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
20227 @end table
20228
20229 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
20230
20231 @table @asis
20232 @kindex PgUp
20233 @item @key{PgUp}
20234 Scroll the active window one page up.
20235
20236 @kindex PgDn
20237 @item @key{PgDn}
20238 Scroll the active window one page down.
20239
20240 @kindex Up
20241 @item @key{Up}
20242 Scroll the active window one line up.
20243
20244 @kindex Down
20245 @item @key{Down}
20246 Scroll the active window one line down.
20247
20248 @kindex Left
20249 @item @key{Left}
20250 Scroll the active window one column left.
20251
20252 @kindex Right
20253 @item @key{Right}
20254 Scroll the active window one column right.
20255
20256 @kindex C-L
20257 @item @kbd{C-L}
20258 Refresh the screen.
20259 @end table
20260
20261 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
20262 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
20263 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
20264 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
20265 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
20266
20267 @node TUI Single Key Mode
20268 @section TUI Single Key Mode
20269 @cindex TUI single key mode
20270
20271 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
20272 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
20273 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
20274
20275 @table @kbd
20276 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20277 @item c
20278 continue
20279
20280 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20281 @item d
20282 down
20283
20284 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20285 @item f
20286 finish
20287
20288 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20289 @item n
20290 next
20291
20292 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20293 @item q
20294 exit the SingleKey mode.
20295
20296 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20297 @item r
20298 run
20299
20300 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20301 @item s
20302 step
20303
20304 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20305 @item u
20306 up
20307
20308 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20309 @item v
20310 info locals
20311
20312 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20313 @item w
20314 where
20315 @end table
20316
20317 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
20318 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
20319 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
20320 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
20321 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
20322 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
20323
20324
20325 @node TUI Commands
20326 @section TUI-specific Commands
20327 @cindex TUI commands
20328
20329 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
20330 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
20331 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
20332 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
20333
20334 @table @code
20335 @item info win
20336 @kindex info win
20337 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
20338
20339 @item layout next
20340 @kindex layout
20341 Display the next layout.
20342
20343 @item layout prev
20344 Display the previous layout.
20345
20346 @item layout src
20347 Display the source window only.
20348
20349 @item layout asm
20350 Display the assembly window only.
20351
20352 @item layout split
20353 Display the source and assembly window.
20354
20355 @item layout regs
20356 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
20357
20358 @item focus next
20359 @kindex focus
20360 Make the next window active for scrolling.
20361
20362 @item focus prev
20363 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
20364
20365 @item focus src
20366 Make the source window active for scrolling.
20367
20368 @item focus asm
20369 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
20370
20371 @item focus regs
20372 Make the register window active for scrolling.
20373
20374 @item focus cmd
20375 Make the command window active for scrolling.
20376
20377 @item refresh
20378 @kindex refresh
20379 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
20380
20381 @item tui reg float
20382 @kindex tui reg
20383 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
20384
20385 @item tui reg general
20386 Show the general registers in the register window.
20387
20388 @item tui reg next
20389 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
20390 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
20391 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
20392 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
20393
20394 @item tui reg system
20395 Show the system registers in the register window.
20396
20397 @item update
20398 @kindex update
20399 Update the source window and the current execution point.
20400
20401 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
20402 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
20403 @kindex winheight
20404 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
20405 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
20406 decrease it.
20407
20408 @item tabset @var{nchars}
20409 @kindex tabset
20410 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
20411 @end table
20412
20413 @node TUI Configuration
20414 @section TUI Configuration Variables
20415 @cindex TUI configuration variables
20416
20417 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
20418
20419 @table @code
20420 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
20421 @kindex set tui border-kind
20422 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
20423 The possible values are the following:
20424 @table @code
20425 @item space
20426 Use a space character to draw the border.
20427
20428 @item ascii
20429 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
20430
20431 @item acs
20432 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
20433 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
20434 @end table
20435
20436 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
20437 @kindex set tui border-mode
20438 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
20439 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
20440 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
20441 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
20442 @table @code
20443 @item normal
20444 Use normal attributes to display the border.
20445
20446 @item standout
20447 Use standout mode.
20448
20449 @item reverse
20450 Use reverse video mode.
20451
20452 @item half
20453 Use half bright mode.
20454
20455 @item half-standout
20456 Use half bright and standout mode.
20457
20458 @item bold
20459 Use extra bright or bold mode.
20460
20461 @item bold-standout
20462 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
20463 @end table
20464 @end table
20465
20466 @node Emacs
20467 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
20468
20469 @cindex Emacs
20470 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
20471 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
20472 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
20473 @value{GDBN}.
20474
20475 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
20476 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
20477 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
20478 created Emacs buffer.
20479 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
20480
20481 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
20482 things:
20483
20484 @itemize @bullet
20485 @item
20486 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
20487 the GUD buffer.
20488
20489 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
20490 and output done by the program you are debugging.
20491
20492 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
20493 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
20494 in this way.
20495
20496 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
20497 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
20498 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
20499 stop.
20500
20501 @item
20502 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
20503
20504 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
20505 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
20506 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
20507 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
20508 and the source.
20509
20510 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
20511 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
20512 @end itemize
20513
20514 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
20515 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
20516 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
20517 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
20518
20519 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
20520 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
20521 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
20522 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
20523 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
20524 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
20525 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
20526 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
20527 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
20528
20529 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
20530 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
20531 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
20532 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
20533
20534 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
20535 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
20536 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
20537 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
20538 one you want.
20539
20540 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
20541 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
20542
20543 @table @kbd
20544 @item C-h m
20545 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
20546
20547 @item C-c C-s
20548 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
20549 update the display window to show the current file and location.
20550
20551 @item C-c C-n
20552 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
20553 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
20554 to show the current file and location.
20555
20556 @item C-c C-i
20557 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
20558 display window accordingly.
20559
20560 @item C-c C-f
20561 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
20562 @code{finish} command.
20563
20564 @item C-c C-r
20565 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
20566 command.
20567
20568 @item C-c <
20569 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
20570 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
20571 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
20572
20573 @item C-c >
20574 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
20575 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
20576 @end table
20577
20578 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
20579 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
20580
20581 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
20582 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
20583 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
20584 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
20585 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
20586 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
20587 speedbar displays watch expressions.
20588
20589 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
20590 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
20591 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
20592 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
20593 frame.
20594
20595 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
20596 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
20597 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
20598 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
20599 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
20600 to correspond properly with the code.
20601
20602 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
20603 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
20604 Emacs Manual}).
20605
20606 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
20607 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
20608 @ignore
20609 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
20610 @kindex Epoch
20611 @kindex inspect
20612
20613 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
20614 called the @code{epoch}
20615 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
20616 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
20617 each value is printed in its own window.
20618 @end ignore
20619
20620
20621 @node GDB/MI
20622 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
20623
20624 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
20625
20626 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
20627 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
20628 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
20629 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
20630 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
20631 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
20632
20633 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
20634 in the form of a reference manual.
20635
20636 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
20637 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
20638 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
20639
20640 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
20641
20642 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
20643 This chapter uses the following notation:
20644
20645 @itemize @bullet
20646 @item
20647 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
20648
20649 @item
20650 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
20651 it may or may not be given.
20652
20653 @item
20654 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
20655 may repeat zero or more times.
20656
20657 @item
20658 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
20659 may repeat one or more times.
20660
20661 @item
20662 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
20663 @end itemize
20664
20665 @ignore
20666 @heading Dependencies
20667 @end ignore
20668
20669 @menu
20670 * GDB/MI General Design::
20671 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
20672 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
20673 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
20674 * GDB/MI Output Records::
20675 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
20676 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
20677 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
20678 * GDB/MI Program Context::
20679 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
20680 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
20681 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
20682 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
20683 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
20684 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
20685 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
20686 * GDB/MI File Commands::
20687 @ignore
20688 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
20689 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
20690 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
20691 @end ignore
20692 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
20693 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
20694 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
20695 @end menu
20696
20697 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20698 @node GDB/MI General Design
20699 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
20700 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
20701
20702 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
20703 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
20704 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
20705 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
20706 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
20707 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
20708 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
20709 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
20710 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
20711 a command and reported as part of that command response.
20712
20713 The important examples of notifications are:
20714 @itemize @bullet
20715
20716 @item
20717 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
20718 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
20719 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
20720 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
20721 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
20722 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
20723 command itself was successfully executed.
20724
20725 @item
20726 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
20727 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
20728 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
20729 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
20730 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
20731 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
20732
20733 @item
20734 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
20735 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
20736 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
20737 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
20738 orthogonal frontend design.
20739
20740 @end itemize
20741
20742 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
20743 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
20744 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
20745 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
20746 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
20747 the user interface.
20748
20749
20750 @menu
20751 * Context management::
20752 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
20753 * Thread groups::
20754 @end menu
20755
20756 @node Context management
20757 @subsection Context management
20758
20759 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
20760 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
20761 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
20762 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
20763 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
20764 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
20765 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
20766 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
20767 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
20768
20769 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
20770 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
20771 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
20772 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
20773 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
20774 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
20775 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
20776 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
20777 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
20778 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
20779 for thread and frame to operate on.
20780
20781 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
20782 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
20783 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
20784 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
20785 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
20786 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
20787 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
20788 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
20789 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
20790 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
20791
20792 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
20793 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
20794 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
20795 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
20796 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
20797 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
20798 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
20799 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
20800 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
20801 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
20802 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
20803 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
20804 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
20805 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
20806 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
20807 @samp{--frame} options.
20808
20809 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
20810 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
20811
20812 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
20813 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
20814 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
20815 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
20816 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
20817 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
20818 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
20819 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
20820 @code{-list-target-features} command.
20821
20822 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
20823 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
20824 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
20825 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
20826 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
20827 are running.
20828
20829 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
20830 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
20831 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
20832 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
20833 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
20834 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
20835 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
20836 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
20837 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
20838 @samp{--thread} option).
20839
20840 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
20841 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
20842 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
20843 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
20844
20845 @node Thread groups
20846 @subsection Thread groups
20847 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
20848 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
20849 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
20850 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
20851 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
20852
20853 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
20854 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
20855 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
20856 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
20857 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
20858 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
20859 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
20860 into processes.
20861
20862 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
20863 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
20864 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
20865 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
20866 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
20867 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
20868 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
20869 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
20870 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
20871 the members of specific thread group.
20872
20873 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
20874 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
20875 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
20876 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
20877 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
20878 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
20879 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
20880 after attaching to that thread group.
20881
20882 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20883 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
20884 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
20885
20886 @menu
20887 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
20888 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
20889 @end menu
20890
20891 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
20892 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
20893
20894 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
20895 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
20896 @table @code
20897 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
20898 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
20899
20900 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
20901 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
20902 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20903
20904 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
20905 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
20906 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
20907
20908 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
20909 "any sequence of digits"
20910
20911 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
20912 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
20913
20914 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
20915 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
20916
20917 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
20918 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
20919
20920 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
20921 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
20922 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
20923
20924 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
20925 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
20926
20927 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
20928 @code{CR | CR-LF}
20929 @end table
20930
20931 @noindent
20932 Notes:
20933
20934 @itemize @bullet
20935 @item
20936 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
20937 output is described below.
20938
20939 @item
20940 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
20941 finishes.
20942
20943 @item
20944 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
20945 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
20946 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
20947 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
20948 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
20949 @end itemize
20950
20951 Pragmatics:
20952
20953 @itemize @bullet
20954 @item
20955 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
20956
20957 @item
20958 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
20959 @end itemize
20960
20961 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
20962 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
20963
20964 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
20965 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
20966 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
20967 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
20968 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
20969 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
20970
20971 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
20972 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
20973 @var{token}.
20974
20975 @table @code
20976 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
20977 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
20978
20979 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
20980 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
20981
20982 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
20983 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
20984
20985 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
20986 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
20987
20988 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
20989 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
20990
20991 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
20992 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
20993
20994 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
20995 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
20996
20997 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
20998 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
20999
21000 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
21001 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
21002
21003 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
21004 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
21005 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
21006
21007 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
21008 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
21009
21010 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
21011 @code{ @var{string} }
21012
21013 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
21014 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
21015
21016 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
21017 @code{@var{c-string}}
21018
21019 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
21020 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
21021
21022 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
21023 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
21024 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
21025
21026 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
21027 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
21028
21029 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
21030 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
21031
21032 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
21033 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
21034
21035 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
21036 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
21037
21038 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
21039 @code{CR | CR-LF}
21040
21041 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
21042 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
21043 @end table
21044
21045 @noindent
21046 Notes:
21047
21048 @itemize @bullet
21049 @item
21050 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
21051
21052 @item
21053 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
21054 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
21055 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
21056 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
21057 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
21058 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
21059 prior command.
21060
21061 @item
21062 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21063 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
21064 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
21065 prefixed by @samp{+}.
21066
21067 @item
21068 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21069 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
21070 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
21071 @samp{*}.
21072
21073 @item
21074 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21075 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
21076 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
21077 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
21078
21079 @item
21080 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21081 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
21082 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
21083 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
21084
21085 @item
21086 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21087 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
21088 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
21089
21090 @item
21091 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21092 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
21093 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
21094 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
21095
21096 @item
21097 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21098 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
21099 @var{values}.
21100
21101
21102 @end itemize
21103
21104 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
21105 details about the various output records.
21106
21107 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21108 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
21109 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
21110
21111 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
21112 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
21113
21114 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
21115 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
21116 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
21117 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
21118 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
21119 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
21120
21121 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
21122 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
21123 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
21124
21125 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21126 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
21127 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
21128 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
21129
21130 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
21131 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
21132
21133 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
21134 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
21135 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
21136 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
21137 might change.
21138
21139 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
21140 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
21141 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
21142 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
21143
21144 @itemize @bullet
21145 @item
21146 New MI commands may be added.
21147
21148 @item
21149 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
21150
21151 @item
21152 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
21153 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
21154
21155 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
21156 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
21157
21158 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
21159 @c resolve inconsistencies.
21160 @end itemize
21161
21162 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
21163 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
21164 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
21165 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
21166 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
21167
21168 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
21169 @c version?
21170
21171 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
21172 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
21173 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
21174 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
21175 @cindex mailing lists
21176
21177 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21178 @node GDB/MI Output Records
21179 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
21180
21181 @menu
21182 * GDB/MI Result Records::
21183 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
21184 * GDB/MI Async Records::
21185 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
21186 @end menu
21187
21188 @node GDB/MI Result Records
21189 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
21190
21191 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21192 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
21193 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
21194 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
21195
21196 @table @code
21197 @findex ^done
21198 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
21199 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
21200 values.
21201
21202 @item "^running"
21203 @findex ^running
21204 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
21205 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
21206 running.
21207
21208 @item "^connected"
21209 @findex ^connected
21210 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
21211
21212 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
21213 @findex ^error
21214 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
21215 error message.
21216
21217 @item "^exit"
21218 @findex ^exit
21219 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
21220
21221 @end table
21222
21223 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
21224 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
21225
21226 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
21227 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21228 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
21229 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
21230 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
21231
21232 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
21233 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
21234 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
21235 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
21236 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
21237
21238 @table @code
21239 @item "~" @var{string-output}
21240 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
21241 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
21242
21243 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
21244 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
21245 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
21246 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
21247
21248 @item "&" @var{string-output}
21249 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
21250 internals.
21251 @end table
21252
21253 @node GDB/MI Async Records
21254 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
21255
21256 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21257 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
21258 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
21259 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
21260 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
21261 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
21262
21263 The following is the list of possible async records:
21264
21265 @table @code
21266
21267 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
21268 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
21269 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
21270 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
21271 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
21272 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
21273 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
21274 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
21275 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
21276 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
21277
21278 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}"
21279 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
21280 following values:
21281
21282 @table @code
21283 @item breakpoint-hit
21284 A breakpoint was reached.
21285 @item watchpoint-trigger
21286 A watchpoint was triggered.
21287 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
21288 A read watchpoint was triggered.
21289 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
21290 An access watchpoint was triggered.
21291 @item function-finished
21292 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21293 @item location-reached
21294 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21295 @item watchpoint-scope
21296 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
21297 @item end-stepping-range
21298 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
21299 similar CLI command was accomplished.
21300 @item exited-signalled
21301 The inferior exited because of a signal.
21302 @item exited
21303 The inferior exited.
21304 @item exited-normally
21305 The inferior exited normally.
21306 @item signal-received
21307 A signal was received by the inferior.
21308 @end table
21309
21310 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
21311 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
21312 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
21313 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
21314 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
21315 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
21316 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
21317 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
21318 several threads in the list.
21319
21320 @item =thread-group-created,id="@var{id}"
21321 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
21322 A thread thread group either was attached to, or has exited/detached
21323 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
21324 thread group.
21325
21326 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21327 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21328 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
21329 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
21330 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
21331
21332 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
21333 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
21334 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
21335 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
21336 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
21337 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
21338 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
21339
21340 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
21341 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
21342 that thread.
21343
21344 @item =library-loaded,...
21345 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
21346 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
21347 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
21348 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
21349 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
21350 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
21351 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
21352 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
21353 library are loaded.
21354
21355 @item =library-unloaded,...
21356 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
21357 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
21358 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification
21359
21360 @end table
21361
21362 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
21363 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
21364
21365 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
21366 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
21367 fields:
21368
21369 @table @code
21370 @item level
21371 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
21372 zero. This field is always present.
21373
21374 @item func
21375 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
21376 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
21377
21378 @item addr
21379 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
21380
21381 @item file
21382 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
21383 address. This field may be absent.
21384
21385 @item line
21386 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
21387 may be absent.
21388
21389 @item from
21390 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
21391 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
21392
21393 @end table
21394
21395
21396 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21397 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
21398 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
21399 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
21400
21401 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
21402 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
21403 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
21404 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
21405
21406 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
21407 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
21408
21409 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
21410
21411 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
21412 information of the breakpoint.
21413
21414 @smallexample
21415 -> -break-insert main
21416 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
21417 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
21418 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
21419 <- (gdb)
21420 @end smallexample
21421
21422 @subheading Program Execution
21423
21424 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
21425 reason that execution stopped.
21426
21427 @smallexample
21428 -> -exec-run
21429 <- ^running
21430 <- (gdb)
21431 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
21432 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
21433 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
21434 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
21435 <- (gdb)
21436 -> -exec-continue
21437 <- ^running
21438 <- (gdb)
21439 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
21440 <- (gdb)
21441 @end smallexample
21442
21443 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
21444
21445 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
21446
21447 @smallexample
21448 -> (gdb)
21449 <- -gdb-exit
21450 <- ^exit
21451 @end smallexample
21452
21453 @subheading A Bad Command
21454
21455 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
21456
21457 @smallexample
21458 -> -rubbish
21459 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
21460 <- (gdb)
21461 @end smallexample
21462
21463
21464 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21465 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
21466 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
21467
21468 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
21469 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
21470
21471 @subheading Motivation
21472
21473 The motivation for this collection of commands.
21474
21475 @subheading Introduction
21476
21477 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
21478
21479 @subheading Commands
21480
21481 For each command in the block, the following is described:
21482
21483 @subsubheading Synopsis
21484
21485 @smallexample
21486 -command @var{args}@dots{}
21487 @end smallexample
21488
21489 @subsubheading Result
21490
21491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21492
21493 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
21494
21495 @subsubheading Example
21496
21497 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
21498 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
21499
21500
21501 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21502 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
21503 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
21504
21505 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
21506 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
21507 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
21508 breakpoints.
21509
21510 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
21511 @findex -break-after
21512
21513 @subsubheading Synopsis
21514
21515 @smallexample
21516 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
21517 @end smallexample
21518
21519 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
21520 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
21521 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
21522 @samp{-break-list} command below.
21523
21524 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21525
21526 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
21527
21528 @subsubheading Example
21529
21530 @smallexample
21531 (gdb)
21532 -break-insert main
21533 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
21534 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
21535 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
21536 (gdb)
21537 -break-after 1 3
21538 ~
21539 ^done
21540 (gdb)
21541 -break-list
21542 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21543 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21544 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21545 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21546 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21547 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21548 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21549 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21550 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21551 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
21552 (gdb)
21553 @end smallexample
21554
21555 @ignore
21556 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
21557 @findex -break-catch
21558 @end ignore
21559
21560 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
21561 @findex -break-commands
21562
21563 @subsubheading Synopsis
21564
21565 @smallexample
21566 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
21567 @end smallexample
21568
21569 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
21570 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
21571 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
21572 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
21573 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
21574 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
21575
21576 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21577
21578 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
21579
21580 @subsubheading Example
21581
21582 @smallexample
21583 (gdb)
21584 -break-insert main
21585 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
21586 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
21587 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
21588 (gdb)
21589 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
21590 ^done
21591 (gdb)
21592 @end smallexample
21593
21594 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
21595 @findex -break-condition
21596
21597 @subsubheading Synopsis
21598
21599 @smallexample
21600 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
21601 @end smallexample
21602
21603 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
21604 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
21605 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
21606 command below).
21607
21608 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21609
21610 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
21611
21612 @subsubheading Example
21613
21614 @smallexample
21615 (gdb)
21616 -break-condition 1 1
21617 ^done
21618 (gdb)
21619 -break-list
21620 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21621 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21622 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21623 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21624 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21625 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21626 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21627 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21628 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21629 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
21630 (gdb)
21631 @end smallexample
21632
21633 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
21634 @findex -break-delete
21635
21636 @subsubheading Synopsis
21637
21638 @smallexample
21639 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
21640 @end smallexample
21641
21642 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
21643 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
21644
21645 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21646
21647 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
21648
21649 @subsubheading Example
21650
21651 @smallexample
21652 (gdb)
21653 -break-delete 1
21654 ^done
21655 (gdb)
21656 -break-list
21657 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
21658 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21659 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21660 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21661 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21662 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21663 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21664 body=[]@}
21665 (gdb)
21666 @end smallexample
21667
21668 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
21669 @findex -break-disable
21670
21671 @subsubheading Synopsis
21672
21673 @smallexample
21674 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
21675 @end smallexample
21676
21677 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
21678 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
21679
21680 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21681
21682 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
21683
21684 @subsubheading Example
21685
21686 @smallexample
21687 (gdb)
21688 -break-disable 2
21689 ^done
21690 (gdb)
21691 -break-list
21692 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21693 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21694 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21695 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21696 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21697 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21698 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21699 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
21700 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21701 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
21702 (gdb)
21703 @end smallexample
21704
21705 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
21706 @findex -break-enable
21707
21708 @subsubheading Synopsis
21709
21710 @smallexample
21711 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
21712 @end smallexample
21713
21714 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
21715
21716 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21717
21718 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
21719
21720 @subsubheading Example
21721
21722 @smallexample
21723 (gdb)
21724 -break-enable 2
21725 ^done
21726 (gdb)
21727 -break-list
21728 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21729 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21730 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21731 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21732 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21733 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21734 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21735 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21736 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21737 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
21738 (gdb)
21739 @end smallexample
21740
21741 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
21742 @findex -break-info
21743
21744 @subsubheading Synopsis
21745
21746 @smallexample
21747 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
21748 @end smallexample
21749
21750 @c REDUNDANT???
21751 Get information about a single breakpoint.
21752
21753 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21754
21755 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
21756
21757 @subsubheading Example
21758 N.A.
21759
21760 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
21761 @findex -break-insert
21762
21763 @subsubheading Synopsis
21764
21765 @smallexample
21766 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
21767 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
21768 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
21769 @end smallexample
21770
21771 @noindent
21772 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
21773
21774 @itemize @bullet
21775 @item function
21776 @c @item +offset
21777 @c @item -offset
21778 @c @item linenum
21779 @item filename:linenum
21780 @item filename:function
21781 @item *address
21782 @end itemize
21783
21784 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
21785
21786 @table @samp
21787 @item -t
21788 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
21789 @item -h
21790 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
21791 @item -c @var{condition}
21792 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
21793 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
21794 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
21795 @item -f
21796 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
21797 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
21798 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
21799 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
21800 cannot be parsed.
21801 @item -d
21802 Create a disabled breakpoint.
21803 @end table
21804
21805 @subsubheading Result
21806
21807 The result is in the form:
21808
21809 @smallexample
21810 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
21811 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
21812 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
21813 times="@var{times}"@}
21814 @end smallexample
21815
21816 @noindent
21817 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
21818 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
21819 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
21820 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
21821 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
21822 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
21823 which use the same output).
21824
21825 Note: this format is open to change.
21826 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
21827
21828 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21829
21830 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
21831 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
21832
21833 @subsubheading Example
21834
21835 @smallexample
21836 (gdb)
21837 -break-insert main
21838 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
21839 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
21840 (gdb)
21841 -break-insert -t foo
21842 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
21843 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
21844 (gdb)
21845 -break-list
21846 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
21847 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21848 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21849 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21850 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21851 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21852 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21853 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21854 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
21855 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
21856 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
21857 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
21858 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
21859 (gdb)
21860 -break-insert -r foo.*
21861 ~int foo(int, int);
21862 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
21863 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
21864 (gdb)
21865 @end smallexample
21866
21867 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
21868 @findex -break-list
21869
21870 @subsubheading Synopsis
21871
21872 @smallexample
21873 -break-list
21874 @end smallexample
21875
21876 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
21877
21878 @table @samp
21879 @item Number
21880 number of the breakpoint
21881 @item Type
21882 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
21883 @item Disposition
21884 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
21885 or @samp{nokeep}
21886 @item Enabled
21887 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
21888 @item Address
21889 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
21890 @item What
21891 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
21892 name, line number
21893 @item Times
21894 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
21895 @end table
21896
21897 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
21898 @code{body} field is an empty list.
21899
21900 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21901
21902 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
21903
21904 @subsubheading Example
21905
21906 @smallexample
21907 (gdb)
21908 -break-list
21909 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
21910 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21911 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21912 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21913 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21914 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21915 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21916 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21917 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
21918 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21919 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21920 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
21921 (gdb)
21922 @end smallexample
21923
21924 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
21925
21926 @smallexample
21927 (gdb)
21928 -break-list
21929 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
21930 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21931 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21932 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21933 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21934 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21935 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21936 body=[]@}
21937 (gdb)
21938 @end smallexample
21939
21940 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
21941 @findex -break-watch
21942
21943 @subsubheading Synopsis
21944
21945 @smallexample
21946 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
21947 @end smallexample
21948
21949 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
21950 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
21951 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
21952 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
21953 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
21954 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
21955 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
21956 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
21957
21958 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
21959 breakpoints inserted.
21960
21961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21962
21963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
21964 @samp{rwatch}.
21965
21966 @subsubheading Example
21967
21968 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
21969
21970 @smallexample
21971 (gdb)
21972 -break-watch x
21973 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
21974 (gdb)
21975 -exec-continue
21976 ^running
21977 (gdb)
21978 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
21979 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
21980 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
21981 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
21982 (gdb)
21983 @end smallexample
21984
21985 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
21986 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
21987 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
21988
21989 @smallexample
21990 (gdb)
21991 -break-watch C
21992 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
21993 (gdb)
21994 -exec-continue
21995 ^running
21996 (gdb)
21997 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
21998 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
21999 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22000 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22001 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22002 (gdb)
22003 -exec-continue
22004 ^running
22005 (gdb)
22006 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
22007 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22008 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22009 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22010 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22011 (gdb)
22012 @end smallexample
22013
22014 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
22015 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
22016 deleted.
22017
22018 @smallexample
22019 (gdb)
22020 -break-watch C
22021 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
22022 (gdb)
22023 -break-list
22024 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22025 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22026 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22027 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22028 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22029 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22030 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22031 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22032 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22033 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22034 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
22035 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22036 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
22037 (gdb)
22038 -exec-continue
22039 ^running
22040 (gdb)
22041 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
22042 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
22043 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22044 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22045 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22046 (gdb)
22047 -break-list
22048 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22049 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22050 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22051 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22052 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22053 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22054 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22055 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22056 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22057 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22058 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
22059 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22060 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
22061 (gdb)
22062 -exec-continue
22063 ^running
22064 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
22065 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22066 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22067 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22068 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22069 (gdb)
22070 -break-list
22071 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22072 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22073 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22074 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22075 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22076 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22077 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22078 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22079 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22080 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22081 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
22082 times="1"@}]@}
22083 (gdb)
22084 @end smallexample
22085
22086 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22087 @node GDB/MI Program Context
22088 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
22089
22090 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
22091 @findex -exec-arguments
22092
22093
22094 @subsubheading Synopsis
22095
22096 @smallexample
22097 -exec-arguments @var{args}
22098 @end smallexample
22099
22100 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
22101 @samp{-exec-run}.
22102
22103 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22104
22105 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
22106
22107 @subsubheading Example
22108
22109 @smallexample
22110 (gdb)
22111 -exec-arguments -v word
22112 ^done
22113 (gdb)
22114 @end smallexample
22115
22116
22117 @ignore
22118 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
22119 @findex -exec-show-arguments
22120
22121 @subsubheading Synopsis
22122
22123 @smallexample
22124 -exec-show-arguments
22125 @end smallexample
22126
22127 Print the arguments of the program.
22128
22129 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22130
22131 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
22132
22133 @subsubheading Example
22134 N.A.
22135 @end ignore
22136
22137
22138 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
22139 @findex -environment-cd
22140
22141 @subsubheading Synopsis
22142
22143 @smallexample
22144 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
22145 @end smallexample
22146
22147 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
22148
22149 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22150
22151 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
22152
22153 @subsubheading Example
22154
22155 @smallexample
22156 (gdb)
22157 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
22158 ^done
22159 (gdb)
22160 @end smallexample
22161
22162
22163 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
22164 @findex -environment-directory
22165
22166 @subsubheading Synopsis
22167
22168 @smallexample
22169 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
22170 @end smallexample
22171
22172 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
22173 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
22174 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
22175 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
22176 occurs as normal.
22177 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
22178 multiple directories in a single command
22179 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
22180 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
22181 If blanks are needed as
22182 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
22183 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
22184 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
22185 character must not be used
22186 in any directory name.
22187 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
22188
22189 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22190
22191 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
22192
22193 @subsubheading Example
22194
22195 @smallexample
22196 (gdb)
22197 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
22198 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
22199 (gdb)
22200 -environment-directory ""
22201 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
22202 (gdb)
22203 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
22204 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
22205 (gdb)
22206 -environment-directory -r
22207 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
22208 (gdb)
22209 @end smallexample
22210
22211
22212 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
22213 @findex -environment-path
22214
22215 @subsubheading Synopsis
22216
22217 @smallexample
22218 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
22219 @end smallexample
22220
22221 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
22222 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
22223 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
22224 supplied in addition to the
22225 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
22226 occurs as normal.
22227 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
22228 multiple directories in a single command
22229 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
22230 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
22231 If blanks are needed as
22232 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
22233 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
22234 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
22235 character must not be used
22236 in any directory name.
22237 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
22238
22239
22240 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22241
22242 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
22243
22244 @subsubheading Example
22245
22246 @smallexample
22247 (gdb)
22248 -environment-path
22249 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
22250 (gdb)
22251 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
22252 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
22253 (gdb)
22254 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
22255 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
22256 (gdb)
22257 @end smallexample
22258
22259
22260 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
22261 @findex -environment-pwd
22262
22263 @subsubheading Synopsis
22264
22265 @smallexample
22266 -environment-pwd
22267 @end smallexample
22268
22269 Show the current working directory.
22270
22271 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22272
22273 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
22274
22275 @subsubheading Example
22276
22277 @smallexample
22278 (gdb)
22279 -environment-pwd
22280 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
22281 (gdb)
22282 @end smallexample
22283
22284 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22285 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
22286 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
22287
22288
22289 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
22290 @findex -thread-info
22291
22292 @subsubheading Synopsis
22293
22294 @smallexample
22295 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
22296 @end smallexample
22297
22298 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
22299 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
22300 threads. When printing information about all threads,
22301 also reports the current thread.
22302
22303 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22304
22305 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
22306 about all threads.
22307
22308 @subsubheading Example
22309
22310 @smallexample
22311 -thread-info
22312 ^done,threads=[
22313 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
22314 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
22315 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
22316 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
22317 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
22318 current-thread-id="1"
22319 (gdb)
22320 @end smallexample
22321
22322 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
22323
22324 @table @code
22325 @item stopped
22326 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
22327 threads.
22328
22329 @item running
22330 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
22331 threads.
22332
22333 @end table
22334
22335 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
22336 @findex -thread-list-ids
22337
22338 @subsubheading Synopsis
22339
22340 @smallexample
22341 -thread-list-ids
22342 @end smallexample
22343
22344 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
22345 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
22346
22347 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
22348 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
22349
22350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22351
22352 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
22353
22354 @subsubheading Example
22355
22356 @smallexample
22357 (gdb)
22358 -thread-list-ids
22359 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22360 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
22361 (gdb)
22362 @end smallexample
22363
22364
22365 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
22366 @findex -thread-select
22367
22368 @subsubheading Synopsis
22369
22370 @smallexample
22371 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
22372 @end smallexample
22373
22374 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
22375 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
22376
22377 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
22378 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
22379
22380 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22381
22382 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
22383
22384 @subsubheading Example
22385
22386 @smallexample
22387 (gdb)
22388 -exec-next
22389 ^running
22390 (gdb)
22391 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
22392 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
22393 (gdb)
22394 -thread-list-ids
22395 ^done,
22396 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22397 number-of-threads="3"
22398 (gdb)
22399 -thread-select 3
22400 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
22401 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
22402 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
22403 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
22404 (gdb)
22405 @end smallexample
22406
22407 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22408 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
22409 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
22410
22411 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
22412 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
22413 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
22414 other cases.
22415
22416 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
22417 @findex -exec-continue
22418
22419 @subsubheading Synopsis
22420
22421 @smallexample
22422 -exec-continue [--all|--thread-group N]
22423 @end smallexample
22424
22425 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until a breakpoint is
22426 encountered, or until the inferior exits. In all-stop mode
22427 (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads,
22428 depending on the value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. In
22429 non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), if the @samp{--all} is not
22430 specified, only the thread specified with the @samp{--thread} option
22431 (or current thread, if no @samp{--thread} is provided) is resumed. If
22432 @samp{--all} is specified, all threads will be resumed. The
22433 @samp{--all} option is ignored in all-stop mode. If the
22434 @samp{--thread-group} options is specified, then all threads in that
22435 thread group are resumed.
22436
22437 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22438
22439 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
22440
22441 @subsubheading Example
22442
22443 @smallexample
22444 -exec-continue
22445 ^running
22446 (gdb)
22447 @@Hello world
22448 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
22449 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
22450 line="13"@}
22451 (gdb)
22452 @end smallexample
22453
22454
22455 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
22456 @findex -exec-finish
22457
22458 @subsubheading Synopsis
22459
22460 @smallexample
22461 -exec-finish
22462 @end smallexample
22463
22464 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
22465 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
22466
22467 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22468
22469 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
22470
22471 @subsubheading Example
22472
22473 Function returning @code{void}.
22474
22475 @smallexample
22476 -exec-finish
22477 ^running
22478 (gdb)
22479 @@hello from foo
22480 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
22481 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
22482 (gdb)
22483 @end smallexample
22484
22485 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
22486 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
22487 value itself.
22488
22489 @smallexample
22490 -exec-finish
22491 ^running
22492 (gdb)
22493 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
22494 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
22495 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22496 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
22497 (gdb)
22498 @end smallexample
22499
22500
22501 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
22502 @findex -exec-interrupt
22503
22504 @subsubheading Synopsis
22505
22506 @smallexample
22507 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
22508 @end smallexample
22509
22510 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
22511 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
22512 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
22513 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
22514 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
22515
22516 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
22517 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
22518 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
22519 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
22520
22521 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
22522 All threads will be interrupted if the @samp{--all} option is
22523 specified. If the @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, all
22524 threads in that group will be interrupted.
22525
22526 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22527
22528 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
22529
22530 @subsubheading Example
22531
22532 @smallexample
22533 (gdb)
22534 111-exec-continue
22535 111^running
22536
22537 (gdb)
22538 222-exec-interrupt
22539 222^done
22540 (gdb)
22541 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
22542 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
22543 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
22544 (gdb)
22545
22546 (gdb)
22547 -exec-interrupt
22548 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
22549 (gdb)
22550 @end smallexample
22551
22552 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
22553 @findex -exec-jump
22554
22555 @subsubheading Synopsis
22556
22557 @smallexample
22558 -exec-jump @var{location}
22559 @end smallexample
22560
22561 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
22562 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
22563 different forms of @var{location}.
22564
22565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22566
22567 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
22568
22569 @subsubheading Example
22570
22571 @smallexample
22572 -exec-jump foo.c:10
22573 *running,thread-id="all"
22574 ^running
22575 @end smallexample
22576
22577
22578 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
22579 @findex -exec-next
22580
22581 @subsubheading Synopsis
22582
22583 @smallexample
22584 -exec-next
22585 @end smallexample
22586
22587 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
22588 of the next source line is reached.
22589
22590 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22591
22592 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
22593
22594 @subsubheading Example
22595
22596 @smallexample
22597 -exec-next
22598 ^running
22599 (gdb)
22600 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
22601 (gdb)
22602 @end smallexample
22603
22604
22605 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
22606 @findex -exec-next-instruction
22607
22608 @subsubheading Synopsis
22609
22610 @smallexample
22611 -exec-next-instruction
22612 @end smallexample
22613
22614 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
22615 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
22616 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
22617 printed as well.
22618
22619 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22620
22621 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
22622
22623 @subsubheading Example
22624
22625 @smallexample
22626 (gdb)
22627 -exec-next-instruction
22628 ^running
22629
22630 (gdb)
22631 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22632 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
22633 (gdb)
22634 @end smallexample
22635
22636
22637 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
22638 @findex -exec-return
22639
22640 @subsubheading Synopsis
22641
22642 @smallexample
22643 -exec-return
22644 @end smallexample
22645
22646 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
22647 Displays the new current frame.
22648
22649 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22650
22651 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
22652
22653 @subsubheading Example
22654
22655 @smallexample
22656 (gdb)
22657 200-break-insert callee4
22658 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
22659 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
22660 (gdb)
22661 000-exec-run
22662 000^running
22663 (gdb)
22664 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
22665 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22666 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22667 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
22668 (gdb)
22669 205-break-delete
22670 205^done
22671 (gdb)
22672 111-exec-return
22673 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
22674 args=[@{name="strarg",
22675 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22676 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22677 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22678 (gdb)
22679 @end smallexample
22680
22681
22682 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
22683 @findex -exec-run
22684
22685 @subsubheading Synopsis
22686
22687 @smallexample
22688 -exec-run
22689 @end smallexample
22690
22691 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
22692 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
22693 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
22694 the program has exited exceptionally.
22695
22696 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22697
22698 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
22699
22700 @subsubheading Examples
22701
22702 @smallexample
22703 (gdb)
22704 -break-insert main
22705 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
22706 (gdb)
22707 -exec-run
22708 ^running
22709 (gdb)
22710 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
22711 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
22712 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
22713 (gdb)
22714 @end smallexample
22715
22716 @noindent
22717 Program exited normally:
22718
22719 @smallexample
22720 (gdb)
22721 -exec-run
22722 ^running
22723 (gdb)
22724 x = 55
22725 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
22726 (gdb)
22727 @end smallexample
22728
22729 @noindent
22730 Program exited exceptionally:
22731
22732 @smallexample
22733 (gdb)
22734 -exec-run
22735 ^running
22736 (gdb)
22737 x = 55
22738 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
22739 (gdb)
22740 @end smallexample
22741
22742 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
22743 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
22744
22745 @smallexample
22746 (gdb)
22747 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
22748 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
22749 @end smallexample
22750
22751
22752 @c @subheading -exec-signal
22753
22754
22755 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
22756 @findex -exec-step
22757
22758 @subsubheading Synopsis
22759
22760 @smallexample
22761 -exec-step
22762 @end smallexample
22763
22764 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
22765 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
22766 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
22767 function.
22768
22769 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22770
22771 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
22772
22773 @subsubheading Example
22774
22775 Stepping into a function:
22776
22777 @smallexample
22778 -exec-step
22779 ^running
22780 (gdb)
22781 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22782 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
22783 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
22784 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
22785 (gdb)
22786 @end smallexample
22787
22788 Regular stepping:
22789
22790 @smallexample
22791 -exec-step
22792 ^running
22793 (gdb)
22794 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
22795 (gdb)
22796 @end smallexample
22797
22798
22799 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
22800 @findex -exec-step-instruction
22801
22802 @subsubheading Synopsis
22803
22804 @smallexample
22805 -exec-step-instruction
22806 @end smallexample
22807
22808 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. The
22809 output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on whether
22810 we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the former
22811 case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
22812 well.
22813
22814 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22815
22816 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
22817
22818 @subsubheading Example
22819
22820 @smallexample
22821 (gdb)
22822 -exec-step-instruction
22823 ^running
22824
22825 (gdb)
22826 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22827 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
22828 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
22829 (gdb)
22830 -exec-step-instruction
22831 ^running
22832
22833 (gdb)
22834 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22835 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
22836 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
22837 (gdb)
22838 @end smallexample
22839
22840
22841 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
22842 @findex -exec-until
22843
22844 @subsubheading Synopsis
22845
22846 @smallexample
22847 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
22848 @end smallexample
22849
22850 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
22851 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
22852 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
22853 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
22854
22855 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22856
22857 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
22858
22859 @subsubheading Example
22860
22861 @smallexample
22862 (gdb)
22863 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
22864 ^running
22865 (gdb)
22866 x = 55
22867 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
22868 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
22869 (gdb)
22870 @end smallexample
22871
22872 @ignore
22873 @subheading -file-clear
22874 Is this going away????
22875 @end ignore
22876
22877 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22878 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
22879 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
22880
22881
22882 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
22883 @findex -stack-info-frame
22884
22885 @subsubheading Synopsis
22886
22887 @smallexample
22888 -stack-info-frame
22889 @end smallexample
22890
22891 Get info on the selected frame.
22892
22893 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22894
22895 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
22896 (without arguments).
22897
22898 @subsubheading Example
22899
22900 @smallexample
22901 (gdb)
22902 -stack-info-frame
22903 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
22904 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22905 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
22906 (gdb)
22907 @end smallexample
22908
22909 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
22910 @findex -stack-info-depth
22911
22912 @subsubheading Synopsis
22913
22914 @smallexample
22915 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
22916 @end smallexample
22917
22918 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
22919 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
22920
22921 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22922
22923 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
22924
22925 @subsubheading Example
22926
22927 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
22928
22929 @smallexample
22930 (gdb)
22931 -stack-info-depth
22932 ^done,depth="12"
22933 (gdb)
22934 -stack-info-depth 4
22935 ^done,depth="4"
22936 (gdb)
22937 -stack-info-depth 12
22938 ^done,depth="12"
22939 (gdb)
22940 -stack-info-depth 11
22941 ^done,depth="11"
22942 (gdb)
22943 -stack-info-depth 13
22944 ^done,depth="12"
22945 (gdb)
22946 @end smallexample
22947
22948 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
22949 @findex -stack-list-arguments
22950
22951 @subsubheading Synopsis
22952
22953 @smallexample
22954 -stack-list-arguments @var{show-values}
22955 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
22956 @end smallexample
22957
22958 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
22959 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
22960 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
22961 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
22962 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
22963 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
22964 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
22965 which case only existing frames will be returned.
22966
22967 The @var{show-values} argument must have a value of 0 or 1. A value of
22968 0 means that only the names of the arguments are listed, a value of 1
22969 means that both names and values of the arguments are printed.
22970
22971 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22972
22973 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
22974 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
22975 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
22976
22977 @subsubheading Example
22978
22979 @smallexample
22980 (gdb)
22981 -stack-list-frames
22982 ^done,
22983 stack=[
22984 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22985 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22986 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
22987 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
22988 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22989 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
22990 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
22991 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22992 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
22993 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
22994 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22995 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
22996 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
22997 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22998 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
22999 (gdb)
23000 -stack-list-arguments 0
23001 ^done,
23002 stack-args=[
23003 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23004 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
23005 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
23006 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
23007 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23008 (gdb)
23009 -stack-list-arguments 1
23010 ^done,
23011 stack-args=[
23012 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23013 frame=@{level="1",
23014 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23015 frame=@{level="2",args=[
23016 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23017 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23018 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
23019 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23020 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
23021 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
23022 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23023 (gdb)
23024 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
23025 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
23026 (gdb)
23027 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
23028 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
23029 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23030 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
23031 (gdb)
23032 @end smallexample
23033
23034 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
23035
23036
23037 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
23038 @findex -stack-list-frames
23039
23040 @subsubheading Synopsis
23041
23042 @smallexample
23043 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
23044 @end smallexample
23045
23046 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
23047 following info:
23048
23049 @table @samp
23050 @item @var{level}
23051 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
23052 @item @var{addr}
23053 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
23054 @item @var{func}
23055 Function name.
23056 @item @var{file}
23057 File name of the source file where the function lives.
23058 @item @var{line}
23059 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
23060 @end table
23061
23062 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
23063 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
23064 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
23065 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
23066 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
23067 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
23068 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
23069
23070 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23071
23072 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
23073
23074 @subsubheading Example
23075
23076 Full stack backtrace:
23077
23078 @smallexample
23079 (gdb)
23080 -stack-list-frames
23081 ^done,stack=
23082 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
23083 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
23084 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23085 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23086 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23087 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23088 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23089 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23090 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23091 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23092 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23093 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23094 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23095 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23096 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23097 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23098 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23099 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23100 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23101 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23102 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23103 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23104 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
23105 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
23106 (gdb)
23107 @end smallexample
23108
23109 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
23110
23111 @smallexample
23112 (gdb)
23113 -stack-list-frames 3 5
23114 ^done,stack=
23115 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23116 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23117 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23118 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23119 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23120 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23121 (gdb)
23122 @end smallexample
23123
23124 Show a single frame:
23125
23126 @smallexample
23127 (gdb)
23128 -stack-list-frames 3 3
23129 ^done,stack=
23130 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23131 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23132 (gdb)
23133 @end smallexample
23134
23135
23136 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
23137 @findex -stack-list-locals
23138
23139 @subsubheading Synopsis
23140
23141 @smallexample
23142 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
23143 @end smallexample
23144
23145 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
23146 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23147 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23148 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23149 type and value for simple data types and the name and type for arrays,
23150 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
23151 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
23152 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
23153 more detail.
23154
23155 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23156
23157 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
23158
23159 @subsubheading Example
23160
23161 @smallexample
23162 (gdb)
23163 -stack-list-locals 0
23164 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
23165 (gdb)
23166 -stack-list-locals --all-values
23167 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
23168 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
23169 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
23170 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
23171 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
23172 (gdb)
23173 @end smallexample
23174
23175
23176 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
23177 @findex -stack-select-frame
23178
23179 @subsubheading Synopsis
23180
23181 @smallexample
23182 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
23183 @end smallexample
23184
23185 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
23186 the stack.
23187
23188 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
23189 option to every command.
23190
23191 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23192
23193 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
23194 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
23195
23196 @subsubheading Example
23197
23198 @smallexample
23199 (gdb)
23200 -stack-select-frame 2
23201 ^done
23202 (gdb)
23203 @end smallexample
23204
23205 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23206 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
23207 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
23208
23209 @ignore
23210
23211 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
23212
23213 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
23214 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
23215 used by @code{Insight}.
23216
23217 The two main reasons for that are:
23218
23219 @enumerate 1
23220 @item
23221 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
23222
23223 @item
23224 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
23225 now).
23226 @end enumerate
23227
23228 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
23229 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
23230 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
23231 hints about their use.
23232
23233 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
23234 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
23235 least, the following operations:
23236
23237 @itemize @bullet
23238 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
23239 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
23240 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
23241 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
23242 @end itemize
23243
23244 @end ignore
23245
23246 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
23247
23248 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
23249
23250 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
23251 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
23252 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
23253 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
23254 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
23255 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
23256 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
23257 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
23258 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
23259 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
23260 object, or to change display format.
23261
23262 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
23263 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
23264 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
23265 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
23266 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
23267 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
23268 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
23269 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
23270 child will be created.
23271
23272 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
23273 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
23274 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
23275 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
23276 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
23277
23278 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
23279 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
23280 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
23281 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
23282 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
23283 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
23284 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
23285 variables that frontend has created.
23286
23287 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
23288 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
23289 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
23290 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
23291 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
23292 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
23293 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
23294 implicitly updated.
23295
23296 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
23297 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
23298 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
23299 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
23300 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
23301 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
23302 frame. Consider this example:
23303
23304 @smallexample
23305 void do_work(...)
23306 @{
23307 struct work_state state;
23308
23309 if (...)
23310 do_work(...);
23311 @}
23312 @end smallexample
23313
23314 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
23315 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
23316 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
23317 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
23318 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
23319
23320 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
23321 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
23322 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
23323 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
23324 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
23325 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
23326
23327 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
23328 access this functionality:
23329
23330 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
23331 @item @strong{Operation}
23332 @tab @strong{Description}
23333
23334 @item @code{-var-create}
23335 @tab create a variable object
23336 @item @code{-var-delete}
23337 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
23338 @item @code{-var-set-format}
23339 @tab set the display format of this variable
23340 @item @code{-var-show-format}
23341 @tab show the display format of this variable
23342 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
23343 @tab tells how many children this object has
23344 @item @code{-var-list-children}
23345 @tab return a list of the object's children
23346 @item @code{-var-info-type}
23347 @tab show the type of this variable object
23348 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
23349 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
23350 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
23351 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
23352 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
23353 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
23354 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
23355 @tab get the value of this variable
23356 @item @code{-var-assign}
23357 @tab set the value of this variable
23358 @item @code{-var-update}
23359 @tab update the variable and its children
23360 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
23361 @tab set frozeness attribute
23362 @end multitable
23363
23364 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
23365 how it can be used.
23366
23367 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
23368
23369 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
23370 @findex -var-create
23371
23372 @subsubheading Synopsis
23373
23374 @smallexample
23375 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
23376 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
23377 @end smallexample
23378
23379 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
23380 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
23381 register.
23382
23383 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
23384 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
23385 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
23386 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
23387 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
23388
23389 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
23390 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
23391 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
23392 object must be created.
23393
23394 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
23395 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
23396
23397 @itemize @bullet
23398 @item
23399 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
23400
23401 @item
23402 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
23403
23404 @item
23405 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
23406 @end itemize
23407
23408 @subsubheading Result
23409
23410 This operation returns the name, number of children and the type of the
23411 object created. Type is returned as a string as the ones generated by
23412 the @value{GDBN} CLI. If a fixed variable object is bound to a
23413 specific thread, the thread is is also printed:
23414
23415 @smallexample
23416 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}"
23417 @end smallexample
23418
23419
23420 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
23421 @findex -var-delete
23422
23423 @subsubheading Synopsis
23424
23425 @smallexample
23426 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
23427 @end smallexample
23428
23429 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
23430 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
23431
23432 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
23433
23434
23435 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
23436 @findex -var-set-format
23437
23438 @subsubheading Synopsis
23439
23440 @smallexample
23441 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
23442 @end smallexample
23443
23444 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
23445 @var{format-spec}.
23446
23447 @anchor{-var-set-format}
23448 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
23449
23450 @smallexample
23451 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
23452 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
23453 @end smallexample
23454
23455 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
23456 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
23457 for pointers, etc.).
23458
23459 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
23460 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
23461
23462 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
23463 @findex -var-show-format
23464
23465 @subsubheading Synopsis
23466
23467 @smallexample
23468 -var-show-format @var{name}
23469 @end smallexample
23470
23471 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
23472
23473 @smallexample
23474 @var{format} @expansion{}
23475 @var{format-spec}
23476 @end smallexample
23477
23478
23479 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
23480 @findex -var-info-num-children
23481
23482 @subsubheading Synopsis
23483
23484 @smallexample
23485 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
23486 @end smallexample
23487
23488 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
23489
23490 @smallexample
23491 numchild=@var{n}
23492 @end smallexample
23493
23494
23495 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
23496 @findex -var-list-children
23497
23498 @subsubheading Synopsis
23499
23500 @smallexample
23501 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name}
23502 @end smallexample
23503 @anchor{-var-list-children}
23504
23505 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
23506 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
23507 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
23508 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
23509 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
23510 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
23511 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
23512 and unions.
23513
23514 For each child the following results are returned:
23515
23516 @table @var
23517
23518 @item name
23519 Name of the variable object created for this child.
23520
23521 @item exp
23522 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
23523 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
23524
23525 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
23526 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
23527 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
23528 type and value are not present.
23529
23530 @item numchild
23531 Number of children this child has.
23532
23533 @item type
23534 The type of the child.
23535
23536 @item value
23537 If values were requested, this is the value.
23538
23539 @item thread-id
23540 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
23541 Otherwise this result is not present.
23542
23543 @item frozen
23544 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
23545 @end table
23546
23547 @subsubheading Example
23548
23549 @smallexample
23550 (gdb)
23551 -var-list-children n
23552 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
23553 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
23554 (gdb)
23555 -var-list-children --all-values n
23556 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
23557 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
23558 @end smallexample
23559
23560
23561 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
23562 @findex -var-info-type
23563
23564 @subsubheading Synopsis
23565
23566 @smallexample
23567 -var-info-type @var{name}
23568 @end smallexample
23569
23570 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
23571 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
23572 @value{GDBN} CLI:
23573
23574 @smallexample
23575 type=@var{typename}
23576 @end smallexample
23577
23578
23579 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
23580 @findex -var-info-expression
23581
23582 @subsubheading Synopsis
23583
23584 @smallexample
23585 -var-info-expression @var{name}
23586 @end smallexample
23587
23588 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
23589 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
23590 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
23591
23592 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
23593 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
23594
23595 @smallexample
23596 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
23597 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
23598 @end smallexample
23599
23600 @noindent
23601 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
23602
23603 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
23604 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
23605 is of limited use.
23606
23607 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
23608 @findex -var-info-path-expression
23609
23610 @subsubheading Synopsis
23611
23612 @smallexample
23613 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
23614 @end smallexample
23615
23616 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
23617 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
23618 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
23619 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
23620 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
23621 watchpoint from a variable object.
23622
23623 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
23624 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
23625 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
23626 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
23627 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
23628 @smallexample
23629 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
23630 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
23631 @end smallexample
23632
23633 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
23634 @findex -var-show-attributes
23635
23636 @subsubheading Synopsis
23637
23638 @smallexample
23639 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
23640 @end smallexample
23641
23642 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
23643
23644 @smallexample
23645 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
23646 @end smallexample
23647
23648 @noindent
23649 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
23650
23651 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
23652 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
23653
23654 @subsubheading Synopsis
23655
23656 @smallexample
23657 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
23658 @end smallexample
23659
23660 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
23661 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
23662 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
23663 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
23664 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
23665 the current display format will be used. The current display format
23666 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
23667
23668 @smallexample
23669 value=@var{value}
23670 @end smallexample
23671
23672 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
23673 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
23674
23675 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
23676 @findex -var-assign
23677
23678 @subsubheading Synopsis
23679
23680 @smallexample
23681 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
23682 @end smallexample
23683
23684 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
23685 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
23686 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
23687 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
23688
23689 @subsubheading Example
23690
23691 @smallexample
23692 (gdb)
23693 -var-assign var1 3
23694 ^done,value="3"
23695 (gdb)
23696 -var-update *
23697 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
23698 (gdb)
23699 @end smallexample
23700
23701 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
23702 @findex -var-update
23703
23704 @subsubheading Synopsis
23705
23706 @smallexample
23707 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
23708 @end smallexample
23709
23710 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
23711 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
23712 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
23713 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
23714 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
23715 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
23716 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
23717 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
23718 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
23719 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
23720 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
23721 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
23722 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
23723
23724 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
23725 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
23726 diagnostic.
23727
23728 @subsubheading Example
23729
23730 @smallexample
23731 (gdb)
23732 -var-assign var1 3
23733 ^done,value="3"
23734 (gdb)
23735 -var-update --all-values var1
23736 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
23737 type_changed="false"@}]
23738 (gdb)
23739 @end smallexample
23740
23741 @anchor{-var-update}
23742 The field in_scope may take three values:
23743
23744 @table @code
23745 @item "true"
23746 The variable object's current value is valid.
23747
23748 @item "false"
23749 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
23750 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
23751 scope.
23752
23753 @item "invalid"
23754 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
23755 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
23756 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
23757 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
23758 objects.
23759 @end table
23760
23761 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
23762 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
23763
23764 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
23765 @findex -var-set-frozen
23766 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
23767
23768 @subsubheading Synopsis
23769
23770 @smallexample
23771 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
23772 @end smallexample
23773
23774 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
23775 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
23776 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
23777 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
23778 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
23779 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
23780 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
23781 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
23782 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
23783 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
23784 @code{-var-update} does.
23785
23786 @subsubheading Example
23787
23788 @smallexample
23789 (gdb)
23790 -var-set-frozen V 1
23791 ^done
23792 (gdb)
23793 @end smallexample
23794
23795 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
23796 @findex -var-set-visualizer
23797 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
23798
23799 @subsubheading Synopsis
23800
23801 @smallexample
23802 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
23803 @end smallexample
23804
23805 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
23806
23807 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
23808 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
23809
23810 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
23811 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
23812 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
23813 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
23814 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
23815 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
23816 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
23817
23818 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
23819 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
23820 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
23821 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
23822
23823 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
23824 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
23825 can be used to check this.
23826
23827 @subsubheading Example
23828
23829 Resetting the visualizer:
23830
23831 @smallexample
23832 (gdb)
23833 -var-set-visualizer V None
23834 ^done
23835 @end smallexample
23836
23837 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
23838
23839 @smallexample
23840 (gdb)
23841 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
23842 ^done
23843 @end smallexample
23844
23845 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
23846 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
23847
23848 @smallexample
23849 (gdb)
23850 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
23851 ^done
23852 @end smallexample
23853
23854 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23855 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
23856 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
23857
23858 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
23859 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
23860 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
23861 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
23862
23863 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
23864 @c @subheading -data-assign
23865 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
23866 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
23867 @c set variable
23868 @c @subsubheading Example
23869 @c N.A.
23870
23871 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
23872 @findex -data-disassemble
23873
23874 @subsubheading Synopsis
23875
23876 @smallexample
23877 -data-disassemble
23878 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
23879 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
23880 -- @var{mode}
23881 @end smallexample
23882
23883 @noindent
23884 Where:
23885
23886 @table @samp
23887 @item @var{start-addr}
23888 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
23889 @item @var{end-addr}
23890 is the end address
23891 @item @var{filename}
23892 is the name of the file to disassemble
23893 @item @var{linenum}
23894 is the line number to disassemble around
23895 @item @var{lines}
23896 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
23897 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
23898 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
23899 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
23900 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
23901 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
23902 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
23903 are displayed.
23904 @item @var{mode}
23905 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
23906 disassembly).
23907 @end table
23908
23909 @subsubheading Result
23910
23911 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
23912
23913 @itemize @bullet
23914 @item Address
23915 @item Func-name
23916 @item Offset
23917 @item Instruction
23918 @end itemize
23919
23920 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
23921 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
23922
23923 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23924
23925 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
23926
23927 @subsubheading Example
23928
23929 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
23930
23931 @smallexample
23932 (gdb)
23933 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
23934 ^done,
23935 asm_insns=[
23936 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23937 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23938 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23939 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
23940 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
23941 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
23942 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
23943 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
23944 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
23945 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
23946 (gdb)
23947 @end smallexample
23948
23949 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
23950 @code{main}.
23951
23952 @smallexample
23953 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
23954 ^done,asm_insns=[
23955 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
23956 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
23957 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23958 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23959 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23960 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
23961 [@dots{}]
23962 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
23963 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
23964 (gdb)
23965 @end smallexample
23966
23967 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
23968
23969 @smallexample
23970 (gdb)
23971 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
23972 ^done,asm_insns=[
23973 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
23974 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
23975 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23976 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23977 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23978 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
23979 (gdb)
23980 @end smallexample
23981
23982 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
23983
23984 @smallexample
23985 (gdb)
23986 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
23987 ^done,asm_insns=[
23988 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
23989 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
23990 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
23991 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
23992 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
23993 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
23994 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
23995 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
23996 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23997 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23998 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23999 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
24000 (gdb)
24001 @end smallexample
24002
24003
24004 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
24005 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
24006
24007 @subsubheading Synopsis
24008
24009 @smallexample
24010 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
24011 @end smallexample
24012
24013 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
24014 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
24015 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
24016
24017 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24018
24019 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
24020 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
24021 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
24022
24023 @subsubheading Example
24024
24025 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
24026 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
24027 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
24028 output.
24029
24030 @smallexample
24031 211-data-evaluate-expression A
24032 211^done,value="1"
24033 (gdb)
24034 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
24035 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
24036 (gdb)
24037 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
24038 411^done,value="4"
24039 (gdb)
24040 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
24041 511^done,value="4"
24042 (gdb)
24043 @end smallexample
24044
24045
24046 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
24047 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
24048
24049 @subsubheading Synopsis
24050
24051 @smallexample
24052 -data-list-changed-registers
24053 @end smallexample
24054
24055 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
24056
24057 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24058
24059 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
24060 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
24061
24062 @subsubheading Example
24063
24064 On a PPC MBX board:
24065
24066 @smallexample
24067 (gdb)
24068 -exec-continue
24069 ^running
24070
24071 (gdb)
24072 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
24073 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
24074 line="5"@}
24075 (gdb)
24076 -data-list-changed-registers
24077 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
24078 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
24079 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
24080 (gdb)
24081 @end smallexample
24082
24083
24084 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
24085 @findex -data-list-register-names
24086
24087 @subsubheading Synopsis
24088
24089 @smallexample
24090 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
24091 @end smallexample
24092
24093 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
24094 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
24095 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
24096 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
24097 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
24098 include empty register names.
24099
24100 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24101
24102 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
24103 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
24104 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
24105
24106 @subsubheading Example
24107
24108 For the PPC MBX board:
24109 @smallexample
24110 (gdb)
24111 -data-list-register-names
24112 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
24113 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
24114 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
24115 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
24116 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
24117 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
24118 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
24119 (gdb)
24120 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
24121 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
24122 (gdb)
24123 @end smallexample
24124
24125 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
24126 @findex -data-list-register-values
24127
24128 @subsubheading Synopsis
24129
24130 @smallexample
24131 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
24132 @end smallexample
24133
24134 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
24135 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
24136 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
24137 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
24138
24139 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
24140
24141 @table @code
24142 @item x
24143 Hexadecimal
24144 @item o
24145 Octal
24146 @item t
24147 Binary
24148 @item d
24149 Decimal
24150 @item r
24151 Raw
24152 @item N
24153 Natural
24154 @end table
24155
24156 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24157
24158 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
24159 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
24160
24161 @subsubheading Example
24162
24163 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
24164 don't appear in the actual output):
24165
24166 @smallexample
24167 (gdb)
24168 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
24169 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
24170 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
24171 (gdb)
24172 -data-list-register-values x
24173 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
24174 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
24175 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
24176 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
24177 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
24178 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
24179 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
24180 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
24181 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
24182 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
24183 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
24184 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
24185 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
24186 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
24187 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
24188 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
24189 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
24190 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
24191 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
24192 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
24193 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
24194 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
24195 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
24196 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
24197 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
24198 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
24199 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
24200 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
24201 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
24202 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
24203 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
24204 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
24205 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
24206 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
24207 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
24208 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
24209 (gdb)
24210 @end smallexample
24211
24212
24213 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
24214 @findex -data-read-memory
24215
24216 @subsubheading Synopsis
24217
24218 @smallexample
24219 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
24220 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
24221 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
24222 @end smallexample
24223
24224 @noindent
24225 where:
24226
24227 @table @samp
24228 @item @var{address}
24229 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
24230 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
24231 quoted using the C convention.
24232
24233 @item @var{word-format}
24234 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
24235 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
24236 ,Output Formats}).
24237
24238 @item @var{word-size}
24239 The size of each memory word in bytes.
24240
24241 @item @var{nr-rows}
24242 The number of rows in the output table.
24243
24244 @item @var{nr-cols}
24245 The number of columns in the output table.
24246
24247 @item @var{aschar}
24248 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
24249 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
24250 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
24251 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
24252
24253 @item @var{byte-offset}
24254 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
24255 @end table
24256
24257 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
24258 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
24259 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
24260 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
24261 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
24262 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
24263 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
24264 @samp{addr}.
24265
24266 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
24267 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
24268 @samp{prev-page}.
24269
24270 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24271
24272 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
24273 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
24274
24275 @subsubheading Example
24276
24277 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
24278 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
24279 word. Display each word in hex.
24280
24281 @smallexample
24282 (gdb)
24283 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
24284 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
24285 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
24286 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
24287 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
24288 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
24289 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
24290 (gdb)
24291 @end smallexample
24292
24293 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
24294 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
24295
24296 @smallexample
24297 (gdb)
24298 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
24299 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
24300 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
24301 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
24302 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
24303 (gdb)
24304 @end smallexample
24305
24306 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
24307 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
24308 used as the non-printable character.
24309
24310 @smallexample
24311 (gdb)
24312 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
24313 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
24314 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
24315 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
24316 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
24317 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
24318 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
24319 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
24320 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
24321 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
24322 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
24323 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
24324 (gdb)
24325 @end smallexample
24326
24327 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24328 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
24329 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
24330
24331 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
24332
24333 @c @subheading -trace-actions
24334
24335 @c @subheading -trace-delete
24336
24337 @c @subheading -trace-disable
24338
24339 @c @subheading -trace-dump
24340
24341 @c @subheading -trace-enable
24342
24343 @c @subheading -trace-exists
24344
24345 @c @subheading -trace-find
24346
24347 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
24348
24349 @c @subheading -trace-info
24350
24351 @c @subheading -trace-insert
24352
24353 @c @subheading -trace-list
24354
24355 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
24356
24357 @c @subheading -trace-save
24358
24359 @c @subheading -trace-start
24360
24361 @c @subheading -trace-stop
24362
24363
24364 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24365 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
24366 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
24367
24368
24369 @ignore
24370 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
24371 @findex -symbol-info-address
24372
24373 @subsubheading Synopsis
24374
24375 @smallexample
24376 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
24377 @end smallexample
24378
24379 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
24380
24381 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24382
24383 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
24384
24385 @subsubheading Example
24386 N.A.
24387
24388
24389 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
24390 @findex -symbol-info-file
24391
24392 @subsubheading Synopsis
24393
24394 @smallexample
24395 -symbol-info-file
24396 @end smallexample
24397
24398 Show the file for the symbol.
24399
24400 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24401
24402 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
24403 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
24404
24405 @subsubheading Example
24406 N.A.
24407
24408
24409 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
24410 @findex -symbol-info-function
24411
24412 @subsubheading Synopsis
24413
24414 @smallexample
24415 -symbol-info-function
24416 @end smallexample
24417
24418 Show which function the symbol lives in.
24419
24420 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24421
24422 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
24423
24424 @subsubheading Example
24425 N.A.
24426
24427
24428 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
24429 @findex -symbol-info-line
24430
24431 @subsubheading Synopsis
24432
24433 @smallexample
24434 -symbol-info-line
24435 @end smallexample
24436
24437 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
24438
24439 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24440
24441 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
24442 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
24443
24444 @subsubheading Example
24445 N.A.
24446
24447
24448 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
24449 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
24450
24451 @subsubheading Synopsis
24452
24453 @smallexample
24454 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
24455 @end smallexample
24456
24457 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
24458
24459 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24460
24461 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
24462
24463 @subsubheading Example
24464 N.A.
24465
24466
24467 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
24468 @findex -symbol-list-functions
24469
24470 @subsubheading Synopsis
24471
24472 @smallexample
24473 -symbol-list-functions
24474 @end smallexample
24475
24476 List the functions in the executable.
24477
24478 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24479
24480 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
24481 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
24482
24483 @subsubheading Example
24484 N.A.
24485 @end ignore
24486
24487
24488 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
24489 @findex -symbol-list-lines
24490
24491 @subsubheading Synopsis
24492
24493 @smallexample
24494 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
24495 @end smallexample
24496
24497 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
24498 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
24499 ascending PC order.
24500
24501 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24502
24503 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
24504
24505 @subsubheading Example
24506 @smallexample
24507 (gdb)
24508 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
24509 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
24510 (gdb)
24511 @end smallexample
24512
24513
24514 @ignore
24515 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
24516 @findex -symbol-list-types
24517
24518 @subsubheading Synopsis
24519
24520 @smallexample
24521 -symbol-list-types
24522 @end smallexample
24523
24524 List all the type names.
24525
24526 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24527
24528 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
24529 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
24530
24531 @subsubheading Example
24532 N.A.
24533
24534
24535 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
24536 @findex -symbol-list-variables
24537
24538 @subsubheading Synopsis
24539
24540 @smallexample
24541 -symbol-list-variables
24542 @end smallexample
24543
24544 List all the global and static variable names.
24545
24546 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24547
24548 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
24549
24550 @subsubheading Example
24551 N.A.
24552
24553
24554 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
24555 @findex -symbol-locate
24556
24557 @subsubheading Synopsis
24558
24559 @smallexample
24560 -symbol-locate
24561 @end smallexample
24562
24563 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24564
24565 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
24566
24567 @subsubheading Example
24568 N.A.
24569
24570
24571 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
24572 @findex -symbol-type
24573
24574 @subsubheading Synopsis
24575
24576 @smallexample
24577 -symbol-type @var{variable}
24578 @end smallexample
24579
24580 Show type of @var{variable}.
24581
24582 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24583
24584 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
24585 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
24586
24587 @subsubheading Example
24588 N.A.
24589 @end ignore
24590
24591
24592 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24593 @node GDB/MI File Commands
24594 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
24595
24596 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
24597 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
24598
24599 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
24600 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
24601
24602 @subsubheading Synopsis
24603
24604 @smallexample
24605 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
24606 @end smallexample
24607
24608 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
24609 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
24610 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
24611 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
24612 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
24613 notification.
24614
24615 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24616
24617 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
24618
24619 @subsubheading Example
24620
24621 @smallexample
24622 (gdb)
24623 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
24624 ^done
24625 (gdb)
24626 @end smallexample
24627
24628
24629 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
24630 @findex -file-exec-file
24631
24632 @subsubheading Synopsis
24633
24634 @smallexample
24635 -file-exec-file @var{file}
24636 @end smallexample
24637
24638 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
24639 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
24640 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
24641 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
24642 notification.
24643
24644 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24645
24646 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
24647
24648 @subsubheading Example
24649
24650 @smallexample
24651 (gdb)
24652 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
24653 ^done
24654 (gdb)
24655 @end smallexample
24656
24657
24658 @ignore
24659 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
24660 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
24661
24662 @subsubheading Synopsis
24663
24664 @smallexample
24665 -file-list-exec-sections
24666 @end smallexample
24667
24668 List the sections of the current executable file.
24669
24670 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24671
24672 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
24673 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
24674 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
24675
24676 @subsubheading Example
24677 N.A.
24678 @end ignore
24679
24680
24681 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
24682 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
24683
24684 @subsubheading Synopsis
24685
24686 @smallexample
24687 -file-list-exec-source-file
24688 @end smallexample
24689
24690 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
24691 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
24692 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
24693 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
24694
24695 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24696
24697 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
24698
24699 @subsubheading Example
24700
24701 @smallexample
24702 (gdb)
24703 123-file-list-exec-source-file
24704 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
24705 (gdb)
24706 @end smallexample
24707
24708
24709 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
24710 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
24711
24712 @subsubheading Synopsis
24713
24714 @smallexample
24715 -file-list-exec-source-files
24716 @end smallexample
24717
24718 List the source files for the current executable.
24719
24720 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
24721 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
24722
24723 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24724
24725 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
24726 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
24727
24728 @subsubheading Example
24729 @smallexample
24730 (gdb)
24731 -file-list-exec-source-files
24732 ^done,files=[
24733 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
24734 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
24735 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
24736 (gdb)
24737 @end smallexample
24738
24739 @ignore
24740 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
24741 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
24742
24743 @subsubheading Synopsis
24744
24745 @smallexample
24746 -file-list-shared-libraries
24747 @end smallexample
24748
24749 List the shared libraries in the program.
24750
24751 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24752
24753 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
24754
24755 @subsubheading Example
24756 N.A.
24757
24758
24759 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
24760 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
24761
24762 @subsubheading Synopsis
24763
24764 @smallexample
24765 -file-list-symbol-files
24766 @end smallexample
24767
24768 List symbol files.
24769
24770 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24771
24772 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
24773
24774 @subsubheading Example
24775 N.A.
24776 @end ignore
24777
24778
24779 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
24780 @findex -file-symbol-file
24781
24782 @subsubheading Synopsis
24783
24784 @smallexample
24785 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
24786 @end smallexample
24787
24788 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
24789 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
24790 produced, except for a completion notification.
24791
24792 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24793
24794 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
24795
24796 @subsubheading Example
24797
24798 @smallexample
24799 (gdb)
24800 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
24801 ^done
24802 (gdb)
24803 @end smallexample
24804
24805 @ignore
24806 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24807 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
24808 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
24809
24810 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
24811
24812 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
24813
24814 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
24815
24816 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
24817
24818 @c @subheading -overlay-map
24819
24820 @c @subheading -overlay-off
24821
24822 @c @subheading -overlay-on
24823
24824 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
24825
24826 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24827 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
24828 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
24829
24830 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
24831
24832 @c @subheading -signal-handle
24833
24834 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
24835
24836 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
24837 @end ignore
24838
24839
24840 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24841 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
24842 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
24843
24844
24845 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
24846 @findex -target-attach
24847
24848 @subsubheading Synopsis
24849
24850 @smallexample
24851 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
24852 @end smallexample
24853
24854 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
24855 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
24856 group, the id previously returned by
24857 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
24858
24859 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24860
24861 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
24862
24863 @subsubheading Example
24864 @smallexample
24865 (gdb)
24866 -target-attach 34
24867 =thread-created,id="1"
24868 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
24869 ^done
24870 (gdb)
24871 @end smallexample
24872
24873 @ignore
24874 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
24875 @findex -target-compare-sections
24876
24877 @subsubheading Synopsis
24878
24879 @smallexample
24880 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
24881 @end smallexample
24882
24883 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
24884 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
24885
24886 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24887
24888 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
24889
24890 @subsubheading Example
24891 N.A.
24892 @end ignore
24893
24894
24895 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
24896 @findex -target-detach
24897
24898 @subsubheading Synopsis
24899
24900 @smallexample
24901 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
24902 @end smallexample
24903
24904 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
24905 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
24906 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
24907
24908 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24909
24910 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
24911
24912 @subsubheading Example
24913
24914 @smallexample
24915 (gdb)
24916 -target-detach
24917 ^done
24918 (gdb)
24919 @end smallexample
24920
24921
24922 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
24923 @findex -target-disconnect
24924
24925 @subsubheading Synopsis
24926
24927 @smallexample
24928 -target-disconnect
24929 @end smallexample
24930
24931 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
24932 generally not resumed.
24933
24934 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24935
24936 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
24937
24938 @subsubheading Example
24939
24940 @smallexample
24941 (gdb)
24942 -target-disconnect
24943 ^done
24944 (gdb)
24945 @end smallexample
24946
24947
24948 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
24949 @findex -target-download
24950
24951 @subsubheading Synopsis
24952
24953 @smallexample
24954 -target-download
24955 @end smallexample
24956
24957 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
24958 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
24959
24960 @table @samp
24961 @item section
24962 The name of the section.
24963 @item section-sent
24964 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
24965 @item section-size
24966 The size of the section.
24967 @item total-sent
24968 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
24969 @item total-size
24970 The size of the overall executable to download.
24971 @end table
24972
24973 @noindent
24974 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
24975 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
24976
24977 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
24978 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
24979
24980 @table @samp
24981 @item section
24982 The name of the section.
24983 @item section-size
24984 The size of the section.
24985 @item total-size
24986 The size of the overall executable to download.
24987 @end table
24988
24989 @noindent
24990 At the end, a summary is printed.
24991
24992 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24993
24994 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
24995
24996 @subsubheading Example
24997
24998 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
24999 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
25000
25001 @smallexample
25002 (gdb)
25003 -target-download
25004 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
25005 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
25006 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
25007 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
25008 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
25009 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
25010 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
25011 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
25012 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
25013 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
25014 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
25015 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
25016 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
25017 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
25018 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
25019 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
25020 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
25021 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
25022 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
25023 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
25024 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
25025 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
25026 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
25027 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
25028 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
25029 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
25030 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
25031 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
25032 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
25033 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
25034 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
25035 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
25036 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
25037 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
25038 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
25039 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
25040 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
25041 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
25042 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
25043 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
25044 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
25045 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
25046 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
25047 write-rate="429"
25048 (gdb)
25049 @end smallexample
25050
25051
25052 @ignore
25053 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
25054 @findex -target-exec-status
25055
25056 @subsubheading Synopsis
25057
25058 @smallexample
25059 -target-exec-status
25060 @end smallexample
25061
25062 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
25063 not, for instance).
25064
25065 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25066
25067 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
25068
25069 @subsubheading Example
25070 N.A.
25071
25072
25073 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
25074 @findex -target-list-available-targets
25075
25076 @subsubheading Synopsis
25077
25078 @smallexample
25079 -target-list-available-targets
25080 @end smallexample
25081
25082 List the possible targets to connect to.
25083
25084 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25085
25086 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
25087
25088 @subsubheading Example
25089 N.A.
25090
25091
25092 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
25093 @findex -target-list-current-targets
25094
25095 @subsubheading Synopsis
25096
25097 @smallexample
25098 -target-list-current-targets
25099 @end smallexample
25100
25101 Describe the current target.
25102
25103 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25104
25105 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
25106 other things).
25107
25108 @subsubheading Example
25109 N.A.
25110
25111
25112 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
25113 @findex -target-list-parameters
25114
25115 @subsubheading Synopsis
25116
25117 @smallexample
25118 -target-list-parameters
25119 @end smallexample
25120
25121 @c ????
25122 @end ignore
25123
25124 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25125
25126 No equivalent.
25127
25128 @subsubheading Example
25129 N.A.
25130
25131
25132 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
25133 @findex -target-select
25134
25135 @subsubheading Synopsis
25136
25137 @smallexample
25138 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
25139 @end smallexample
25140
25141 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
25142
25143 @table @samp
25144 @item @var{type}
25145 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
25146 @item @var{parameters}
25147 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
25148 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
25149 @end table
25150
25151 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
25152 which the target program is, in the following form:
25153
25154 @smallexample
25155 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
25156 args=[@var{arg list}]
25157 @end smallexample
25158
25159 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25160
25161 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
25162
25163 @subsubheading Example
25164
25165 @smallexample
25166 (gdb)
25167 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
25168 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
25169 (gdb)
25170 @end smallexample
25171
25172 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25173 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
25174 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
25175
25176
25177 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
25178 @findex -target-file-put
25179
25180 @subsubheading Synopsis
25181
25182 @smallexample
25183 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
25184 @end smallexample
25185
25186 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
25187 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
25188
25189 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25190
25191 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
25192
25193 @subsubheading Example
25194
25195 @smallexample
25196 (gdb)
25197 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
25198 ^done
25199 (gdb)
25200 @end smallexample
25201
25202
25203 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
25204 @findex -target-file-get
25205
25206 @subsubheading Synopsis
25207
25208 @smallexample
25209 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
25210 @end smallexample
25211
25212 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
25213 on the host system.
25214
25215 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25216
25217 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
25218
25219 @subsubheading Example
25220
25221 @smallexample
25222 (gdb)
25223 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
25224 ^done
25225 (gdb)
25226 @end smallexample
25227
25228
25229 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
25230 @findex -target-file-delete
25231
25232 @subsubheading Synopsis
25233
25234 @smallexample
25235 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
25236 @end smallexample
25237
25238 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
25239
25240 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25241
25242 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
25243
25244 @subsubheading Example
25245
25246 @smallexample
25247 (gdb)
25248 -target-file-delete remotefile
25249 ^done
25250 (gdb)
25251 @end smallexample
25252
25253
25254 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25255 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
25256 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
25257
25258 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
25259
25260 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
25261 @findex -gdb-exit
25262
25263 @subsubheading Synopsis
25264
25265 @smallexample
25266 -gdb-exit
25267 @end smallexample
25268
25269 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
25270
25271 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25272
25273 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
25274
25275 @subsubheading Example
25276
25277 @smallexample
25278 (gdb)
25279 -gdb-exit
25280 ^exit
25281 @end smallexample
25282
25283
25284 @ignore
25285 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
25286 @findex -exec-abort
25287
25288 @subsubheading Synopsis
25289
25290 @smallexample
25291 -exec-abort
25292 @end smallexample
25293
25294 Kill the inferior running program.
25295
25296 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25297
25298 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
25299
25300 @subsubheading Example
25301 N.A.
25302 @end ignore
25303
25304
25305 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
25306 @findex -gdb-set
25307
25308 @subsubheading Synopsis
25309
25310 @smallexample
25311 -gdb-set
25312 @end smallexample
25313
25314 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
25315 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
25316
25317 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25318
25319 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
25320
25321 @subsubheading Example
25322
25323 @smallexample
25324 (gdb)
25325 -gdb-set $foo=3
25326 ^done
25327 (gdb)
25328 @end smallexample
25329
25330
25331 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
25332 @findex -gdb-show
25333
25334 @subsubheading Synopsis
25335
25336 @smallexample
25337 -gdb-show
25338 @end smallexample
25339
25340 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
25341
25342 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25343
25344 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
25345
25346 @subsubheading Example
25347
25348 @smallexample
25349 (gdb)
25350 -gdb-show annotate
25351 ^done,value="0"
25352 (gdb)
25353 @end smallexample
25354
25355 @c @subheading -gdb-source
25356
25357
25358 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
25359 @findex -gdb-version
25360
25361 @subsubheading Synopsis
25362
25363 @smallexample
25364 -gdb-version
25365 @end smallexample
25366
25367 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
25368
25369 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25370
25371 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
25372 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
25373
25374 @subsubheading Example
25375
25376 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
25377 @c box in TeX.
25378 @smallexample
25379 (gdb)
25380 -gdb-version
25381 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
25382 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
25383 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
25384 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
25385 ~ certain conditions.
25386 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
25387 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
25388 ~ details.
25389 ~This GDB was configured as
25390 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
25391 ^done
25392 (gdb)
25393 @end smallexample
25394
25395 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
25396 @findex -list-features
25397
25398 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
25399 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
25400 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
25401 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
25402 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
25403 startup.
25404
25405 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
25406 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
25407 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
25408 is given below.
25409
25410 Example output:
25411
25412 @smallexample
25413 (gdb) -list-features
25414 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
25415 @end smallexample
25416
25417 The current list of features is:
25418
25419 @table @samp
25420 @item frozen-varobjs
25421 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
25422 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
25423 of @code{-varobj-create}.
25424 @item pending-breakpoints
25425 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
25426 @item python
25427 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
25428 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
25429 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
25430 @item thread-info
25431 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
25432
25433 @end table
25434
25435 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
25436 @findex -list-target-features
25437
25438 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
25439 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
25440 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
25441 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
25442 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
25443 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
25444 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
25445 Example output:
25446
25447 @smallexample
25448 (gdb) -list-features
25449 ^done,result=["async"]
25450 @end smallexample
25451
25452 The current list of features is:
25453
25454 @table @samp
25455 @item async
25456 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
25457 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
25458 while the target is running.
25459
25460 @end table
25461
25462 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
25463 @findex -list-thread-groups
25464
25465 @subheading Synopsis
25466
25467 @smallexample
25468 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ @var{group} ]
25469 @end smallexample
25470
25471 When used without the @var{group} parameter, lists top-level thread
25472 groups that are being debugged. When used with the @var{group}
25473 parameter, the children of the specified group are listed. The
25474 children can be either threads, or other groups. At present,
25475 @value{GDBN} will not report both threads and groups as children at
25476 the same time, but it may change in future.
25477
25478 With the @samp{--available} option, instead of reporting groups that
25479 are been debugged, GDB will report all thread groups available on the
25480 target. Using the @samp{--available} option together with @var{group}
25481 is not allowed.
25482
25483 @subheading Example
25484
25485 @smallexample
25486 @value{GDBP}
25487 -list-thread-groups
25488 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
25489 -list-thread-groups 17
25490 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
25491 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
25492 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
25493 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
25494 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
25495 @end smallexample
25496
25497 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
25498 @findex -interpreter-exec
25499
25500 @subheading Synopsis
25501
25502 @smallexample
25503 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
25504 @end smallexample
25505 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
25506
25507 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
25508
25509 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25510
25511 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
25512
25513 @subheading Example
25514
25515 @smallexample
25516 (gdb)
25517 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
25518 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
25519 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
25520 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
25521 ^done
25522 (gdb)
25523 @end smallexample
25524
25525 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
25526 @findex -inferior-tty-set
25527
25528 @subheading Synopsis
25529
25530 @smallexample
25531 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
25532 @end smallexample
25533
25534 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
25535
25536 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25537
25538 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
25539
25540 @subheading Example
25541
25542 @smallexample
25543 (gdb)
25544 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
25545 ^done
25546 (gdb)
25547 @end smallexample
25548
25549 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
25550 @findex -inferior-tty-show
25551
25552 @subheading Synopsis
25553
25554 @smallexample
25555 -inferior-tty-show
25556 @end smallexample
25557
25558 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
25559
25560 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25561
25562 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
25563
25564 @subheading Example
25565
25566 @smallexample
25567 (gdb)
25568 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
25569 ^done
25570 (gdb)
25571 -inferior-tty-show
25572 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
25573 (gdb)
25574 @end smallexample
25575
25576 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
25577 @findex -enable-timings
25578
25579 @subheading Synopsis
25580
25581 @smallexample
25582 -enable-timings [yes | no]
25583 @end smallexample
25584
25585 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
25586 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
25587 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
25588 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
25589
25590 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25591
25592 No equivalent.
25593
25594 @subheading Example
25595
25596 @smallexample
25597 (gdb)
25598 -enable-timings
25599 ^done
25600 (gdb)
25601 -break-insert main
25602 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25603 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25604 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
25605 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
25606 (gdb)
25607 -enable-timings no
25608 ^done
25609 (gdb)
25610 -exec-run
25611 ^running
25612 (gdb)
25613 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25614 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
25615 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
25616 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
25617 (gdb)
25618 @end smallexample
25619
25620 @node Annotations
25621 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
25622
25623 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
25624 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
25625 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
25626 relatively high level.
25627
25628 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
25629 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
25630
25631 @ignore
25632 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
25633 @end ignore
25634
25635 @menu
25636 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
25637 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
25638 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
25639 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
25640 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
25641 * Annotations for Running::
25642 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
25643 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
25644 @end menu
25645
25646 @node Annotations Overview
25647 @section What is an Annotation?
25648 @cindex annotations
25649
25650 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
25651 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
25652 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
25653 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
25654 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
25655 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
25656 cannot contain newline characters.
25657
25658 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
25659 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
25660 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
25661 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
25662 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
25663 means those three characters as output.
25664
25665 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
25666 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
25667 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
25668 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
25669 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
25670 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
25671 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
25672 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
25673 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
25674
25675 @table @code
25676 @kindex set annotate
25677 @item set annotate @var{level}
25678 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
25679 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
25680
25681 @item show annotate
25682 @kindex show annotate
25683 Show the current annotation level.
25684 @end table
25685
25686 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
25687
25688 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
25689
25690 @smallexample
25691 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
25692 GNU gdb 6.0
25693 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
25694 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
25695 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
25696 under certain conditions.
25697 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
25698 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
25699 for details.
25700 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
25701
25702 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
25703 (@value{GDBP})
25704 ^Z^Zprompt
25705 @kbd{quit}
25706
25707 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
25708 $
25709 @end smallexample
25710
25711 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
25712 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
25713 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
25714 output from @value{GDBN}.
25715
25716 @node Server Prefix
25717 @section The Server Prefix
25718 @cindex server prefix
25719
25720 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
25721 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
25722 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
25723 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
25724 a transparent manner.
25725
25726 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
25727 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
25728 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
25729 @code{print} command.
25730
25731 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
25732 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
25733
25734 @node Prompting
25735 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
25736
25737 @cindex annotations for prompts
25738 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
25739 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
25740 over, etc.
25741
25742 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
25743 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
25744 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
25745 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
25746 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
25747 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
25748 features the following annotations:
25749
25750 @smallexample
25751 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
25752 ^Z^Zprompt
25753 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
25754 @end smallexample
25755
25756 The input types are
25757
25758 @table @code
25759 @findex pre-prompt annotation
25760 @findex prompt annotation
25761 @findex post-prompt annotation
25762 @item prompt
25763 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
25764
25765 @findex pre-commands annotation
25766 @findex commands annotation
25767 @findex post-commands annotation
25768 @item commands
25769 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
25770 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
25771
25772 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
25773 @findex overload-choice annotation
25774 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
25775 @item overload-choice
25776 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
25777
25778 @findex pre-query annotation
25779 @findex query annotation
25780 @findex post-query annotation
25781 @item query
25782 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
25783
25784 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
25785 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
25786 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
25787 @item prompt-for-continue
25788 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
25789 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
25790 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
25791 presence of annotations.
25792 @end table
25793
25794 @node Errors
25795 @section Errors
25796 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
25797
25798 @findex quit annotation
25799 @smallexample
25800 ^Z^Zquit
25801 @end smallexample
25802
25803 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
25804
25805 @findex error annotation
25806 @smallexample
25807 ^Z^Zerror
25808 @end smallexample
25809
25810 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
25811
25812 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
25813 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
25814 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
25815 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
25816 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
25817 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
25818 to the top level.
25819
25820 @findex error-begin annotation
25821 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
25822
25823 @smallexample
25824 ^Z^Zerror-begin
25825 @end smallexample
25826
25827 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
25828 message.
25829
25830 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
25831 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
25832 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
25833
25834 @node Invalidation
25835 @section Invalidation Notices
25836
25837 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
25838 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
25839 changed.
25840
25841 @table @code
25842 @findex frames-invalid annotation
25843 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
25844
25845 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
25846 have changed.
25847
25848 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
25849 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
25850
25851 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
25852 deleted a breakpoint.
25853 @end table
25854
25855 @node Annotations for Running
25856 @section Running the Program
25857 @cindex annotations for running programs
25858
25859 @findex starting annotation
25860 @findex stopping annotation
25861 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
25862 @code{step} or @code{continue},
25863
25864 @smallexample
25865 ^Z^Zstarting
25866 @end smallexample
25867
25868 is output. When the program stops,
25869
25870 @smallexample
25871 ^Z^Zstopped
25872 @end smallexample
25873
25874 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
25875 annotations describe how the program stopped.
25876
25877 @table @code
25878 @findex exited annotation
25879 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
25880 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
25881 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
25882
25883 @findex signalled annotation
25884 @findex signal-name annotation
25885 @findex signal-name-end annotation
25886 @findex signal-string annotation
25887 @findex signal-string-end annotation
25888 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
25889 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
25890 annotation continues:
25891
25892 @smallexample
25893 @var{intro-text}
25894 ^Z^Zsignal-name
25895 @var{name}
25896 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
25897 @var{middle-text}
25898 ^Z^Zsignal-string
25899 @var{string}
25900 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
25901 @var{end-text}
25902 @end smallexample
25903
25904 @noindent
25905 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
25906 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
25907 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
25908 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
25909 user's benefit and have no particular format.
25910
25911 @findex signal annotation
25912 @item ^Z^Zsignal
25913 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
25914 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
25915 terminated with it.
25916
25917 @findex breakpoint annotation
25918 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
25919 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
25920
25921 @findex watchpoint annotation
25922 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
25923 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
25924 @end table
25925
25926 @node Source Annotations
25927 @section Displaying Source
25928 @cindex annotations for source display
25929
25930 @findex source annotation
25931 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
25932
25933 @smallexample
25934 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
25935 @end smallexample
25936
25937 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
25938 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
25939 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
25940 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
25941 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
25942 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
25943 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
25944 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
25945 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
25946 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
25947 depend on the language).
25948
25949 @node JIT Interface
25950 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
25951 @cindex just-in-time compilation
25952 @cindex JIT compilation interface
25953
25954 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
25955 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
25956 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
25957 performance while maintaining platform independence.
25958
25959 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
25960 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
25961 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
25962 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
25963 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
25964 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
25965
25966 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
25967 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
25968 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
25969 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
25970 LLVM JIT.
25971
25972 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
25973 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
25974 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
25975 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
25976 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
25977 out about additional code.
25978
25979 @menu
25980 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
25981 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
25982 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
25983 @end menu
25984
25985 @node Declarations
25986 @section JIT Declarations
25987
25988 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
25989 implement the interface:
25990
25991 @smallexample
25992 typedef enum
25993 @{
25994 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
25995 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
25996 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
25997 @} jit_actions_t;
25998
25999 struct jit_code_entry
26000 @{
26001 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
26002 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
26003 const char *symfile_addr;
26004 uint64_t symfile_size;
26005 @};
26006
26007 struct jit_descriptor
26008 @{
26009 uint32_t version;
26010 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
26011 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
26012 uint32_t action_flag;
26013 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
26014 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
26015 @};
26016
26017 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
26018 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
26019
26020 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
26021 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
26022 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
26023 @end smallexample
26024
26025 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
26026 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
26027 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
26028
26029 @node Registering Code
26030 @section Registering Code
26031
26032 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
26033
26034 @itemize @bullet
26035 @item
26036 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
26037 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
26038
26039 @item
26040 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
26041 file.
26042
26043 @item
26044 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
26045
26046 @item
26047 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
26048
26049 @item
26050 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
26051 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
26052 @end itemize
26053
26054 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
26055 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
26056 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
26057 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
26058
26059 @node Unregistering Code
26060 @section Unregistering Code
26061
26062 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
26063
26064 @itemize @bullet
26065 @item
26066 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
26067
26068 @item
26069 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
26070
26071 @item
26072 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
26073 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
26074 @end itemize
26075
26076 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
26077 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
26078
26079 @node GDB Bugs
26080 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
26081 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
26082 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
26083
26084 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
26085
26086 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
26087 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
26088 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
26089 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
26090
26091 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
26092 information that enables us to fix the bug.
26093
26094 @menu
26095 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
26096 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
26097 @end menu
26098
26099 @node Bug Criteria
26100 @section Have You Found a Bug?
26101 @cindex bug criteria
26102
26103 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
26104
26105 @itemize @bullet
26106 @cindex fatal signal
26107 @cindex debugger crash
26108 @cindex crash of debugger
26109 @item
26110 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
26111 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
26112
26113 @cindex error on valid input
26114 @item
26115 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
26116 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
26117 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
26118
26119 @cindex invalid input
26120 @item
26121 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
26122 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
26123 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
26124 for traditional practice''.
26125
26126 @item
26127 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
26128 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
26129 @end itemize
26130
26131 @node Bug Reporting
26132 @section How to Report Bugs
26133 @cindex bug reports
26134 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
26135
26136 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
26137 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
26138 contact that organization first.
26139
26140 You can find contact information for many support companies and
26141 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
26142 distribution.
26143 @c should add a web page ref...
26144
26145 @ifset BUGURL
26146 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
26147 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
26148 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
26149 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
26150 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
26151 be used.
26152
26153 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
26154 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
26155 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
26156 @samp{bug-gdb}.
26157
26158 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
26159 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
26160 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
26161 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
26162 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
26163 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
26164 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
26165 bug reports to the mailing list.
26166 @end ifset
26167 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
26168 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
26169 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
26170 @end ifclear
26171 @end ifset
26172
26173 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
26174 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
26175 fact or leave it out, state it!
26176
26177 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
26178 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
26179 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
26180 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
26181 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
26182 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
26183 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
26184 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
26185 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
26186
26187 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
26188 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
26189 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
26190 self-contained.
26191
26192 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
26193 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
26194 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
26195 bugs properly.
26196
26197 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
26198
26199 @itemize @bullet
26200 @item
26201 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
26202 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
26203 version}.
26204
26205 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
26206 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
26207
26208 @item
26209 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
26210 version number.
26211
26212 @item
26213 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
26214 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
26215
26216 @item
26217 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
26218 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
26219 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
26220 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
26221 those compilers.
26222
26223 @item
26224 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
26225 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
26226 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
26227 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
26228
26229 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
26230 and then we might not encounter the bug.
26231
26232 @item
26233 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
26234 reproduce the bug.
26235
26236 @item
26237 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
26238 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
26239
26240 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
26241 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
26242 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
26243 a chance to make a mistake.
26244
26245 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
26246 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
26247 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
26248 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
26249 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
26250 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
26251 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
26252 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
26253
26254 @pindex script
26255 @cindex recording a session script
26256 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
26257 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
26258 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
26259 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
26260
26261 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
26262 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
26263
26264 @item
26265 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
26266 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
26267 it by context, not by line number.
26268
26269 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
26270 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
26271
26272 @end itemize
26273
26274 Here are some things that are not necessary:
26275
26276 @itemize @bullet
26277 @item
26278 A description of the envelope of the bug.
26279
26280 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
26281 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
26282 changes will not affect it.
26283
26284 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
26285 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
26286 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
26287 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
26288
26289 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
26290 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
26291 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
26292 less time, and so on.
26293
26294 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
26295 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
26296
26297 @item
26298 A patch for the bug.
26299
26300 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
26301 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
26302 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
26303 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
26304
26305 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
26306 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
26307 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
26308 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
26309
26310 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
26311 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
26312 help us to understand.
26313
26314 @item
26315 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
26316
26317 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
26318 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
26319 @end itemize
26320
26321 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
26322 @c and consists of the two following files:
26323 @c rluser.texinfo
26324 @c inc-hist.texinfo
26325 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
26326 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
26327 @include rluser.texi
26328 @include inc-hist.texinfo
26329
26330
26331 @node Formatting Documentation
26332 @appendix Formatting Documentation
26333
26334 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
26335 @cindex reference card
26336 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
26337 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
26338 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
26339 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
26340 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
26341 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
26342
26343 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
26344 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
26345
26346 @smallexample
26347 make refcard.dvi
26348 @end smallexample
26349
26350 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
26351 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
26352 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
26353 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
26354 your @sc{dvi} output program.
26355
26356 @cindex documentation
26357
26358 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
26359 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
26360 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
26361 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
26362 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
26363 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
26364
26365 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
26366 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
26367 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
26368 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
26369 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
26370 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
26371 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
26372 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
26373
26374 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
26375 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
26376 @code{makeinfo}.
26377
26378 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
26379 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
26380 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
26381
26382 @smallexample
26383 cd gdb
26384 make gdb.info
26385 @end smallexample
26386
26387 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
26388 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
26389 Texinfo definitions file.
26390
26391 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
26392 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
26393 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
26394 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
26395 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
26396 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
26397 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
26398
26399 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
26400 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
26401 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
26402 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
26403 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
26404 directory.
26405
26406 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
26407 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
26408 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
26409 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
26410
26411 @smallexample
26412 make gdb.dvi
26413 @end smallexample
26414
26415 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
26416
26417 @node Installing GDB
26418 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
26419 @cindex installation
26420
26421 @menu
26422 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
26423 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
26424 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
26425 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
26426 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
26427 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
26428 @end menu
26429
26430 @node Requirements
26431 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
26432 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
26433
26434 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
26435 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
26436
26437 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
26438 @table @asis
26439 @item ISO C90 compiler
26440 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
26441 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
26442
26443 @end table
26444
26445 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
26446 @table @asis
26447 @item Expat
26448 @anchor{Expat}
26449 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
26450 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
26451 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
26452 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
26453 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
26454 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
26455
26456 Expat is used for:
26457
26458 @itemize @bullet
26459 @item
26460 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
26461 @item
26462 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
26463 @item
26464 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
26465 @item
26466 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
26467 @end itemize
26468
26469 @item zlib
26470 @cindex compressed debug sections
26471 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
26472 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
26473 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
26474 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
26475 information in such binaries.
26476
26477 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
26478 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
26479 @url{http://zlib.net}.
26480
26481 @item iconv
26482 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
26483 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
26484 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
26485 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
26486
26487 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
26488 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
26489 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
26490
26491 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
26492 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
26493 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
26494 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
26495 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
26496 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
26497 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
26498 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
26499 @end table
26500
26501 @node Running Configure
26502 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
26503 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
26504 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
26505 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
26506 build the @code{gdb} program.
26507 @iftex
26508 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
26509 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
26510 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
26511 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
26512 @end iftex
26513
26514 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
26515 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
26516 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
26517
26518 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
26519 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
26520
26521 @table @code
26522 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
26523 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
26524
26525 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
26526 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
26527
26528 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
26529 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
26530
26531 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
26532 @sc{gnu} include files
26533
26534 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
26535 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
26536
26537 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
26538 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
26539
26540 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
26541 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
26542
26543 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
26544 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
26545
26546 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
26547 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
26548 @end table
26549
26550 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
26551 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
26552 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
26553
26554 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
26555 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
26556 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
26557 argument.
26558
26559 For example:
26560
26561 @smallexample
26562 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
26563 ./configure @var{host}
26564 make
26565 @end smallexample
26566
26567 @noindent
26568 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
26569 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
26570 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
26571 correct value by examining your system.)
26572
26573 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
26574 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
26575 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
26576 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
26577
26578 @need 750
26579 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
26580 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
26581 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
26582
26583 @smallexample
26584 sh configure @var{host}
26585 @end smallexample
26586
26587 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
26588 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
26589 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
26590 @file{configure}
26591 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
26592 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
26593
26594 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
26595 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
26596 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
26597 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
26598 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
26599 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
26600 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
26601 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
26602 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
26603
26604 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
26605 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
26606 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
26607 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
26608 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
26609
26610 @node Separate Objdir
26611 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
26612
26613 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
26614 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
26615 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
26616 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
26617 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
26618 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
26619 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
26620 program specified there.
26621
26622 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
26623 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
26624 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
26625 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
26626 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
26627 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
26628
26629 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
26630 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
26631
26632 @smallexample
26633 @group
26634 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
26635 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
26636 cd ../gdb-sun4
26637 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
26638 make
26639 @end group
26640 @end smallexample
26641
26642 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
26643 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
26644 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
26645 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
26646 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
26647 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
26648
26649 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
26650 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
26651 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
26652 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
26653 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
26654
26655 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
26656 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
26657 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
26658 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
26659 You specify a cross-debugging target by
26660 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
26661
26662 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
26663 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
26664 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
26665
26666 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
26667 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
26668 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
26669 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
26670 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
26671
26672 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
26673 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
26674 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
26675 with each other.
26676
26677 @node Config Names
26678 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
26679
26680 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
26681 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
26682 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
26683 of information in the following pattern:
26684
26685 @smallexample
26686 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
26687 @end smallexample
26688
26689 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
26690 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
26691 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
26692
26693 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
26694 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
26695 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
26696 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
26697 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
26698 abbreviations---for example:
26699
26700 @smallexample
26701 % sh config.sub i386-linux
26702 i386-pc-linux-gnu
26703 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
26704 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
26705 % sh config.sub hp9k700
26706 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
26707 % sh config.sub sun4
26708 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
26709 % sh config.sub sun3
26710 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
26711 % sh config.sub i986v
26712 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
26713 @end smallexample
26714
26715 @noindent
26716 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
26717 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
26718
26719 @node Configure Options
26720 @section @file{configure} Options
26721
26722 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
26723 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
26724 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
26725 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
26726
26727 @smallexample
26728 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
26729 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
26730 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
26731 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
26732 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
26733 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
26734 @var{host}
26735 @end smallexample
26736
26737 @noindent
26738 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
26739 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
26740 @samp{--}.
26741
26742 @table @code
26743 @item --help
26744 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
26745
26746 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
26747 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
26748 @file{@var{dir}}.
26749
26750 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
26751 Configure the source to install programs under directory
26752 @file{@var{dir}}.
26753
26754 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
26755 @need 2000
26756 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
26757 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
26758 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
26759 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
26760 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
26761 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
26762 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
26763 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
26764 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
26765 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
26766 @var{dirname}.
26767
26768 @item --norecursion
26769 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
26770 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
26771
26772 @item --target=@var{target}
26773 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
26774 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
26775 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
26776
26777 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
26778
26779 @item @var{host} @dots{}
26780 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
26781
26782 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
26783 @end table
26784
26785 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
26786 needed for special purposes only.
26787
26788 @node System-wide configuration
26789 @section System-wide configuration and settings
26790 @cindex system-wide init file
26791
26792 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
26793 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
26794 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
26795
26796 Here is the corresponding configure option:
26797
26798 @table @code
26799 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
26800 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
26801 @var{file}.
26802 @end table
26803
26804 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
26805 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
26806
26807 @itemize @bullet
26808 @item
26809 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
26810 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
26811 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
26812 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
26813 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
26814 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
26815
26816 @item
26817 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
26818 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
26819 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
26820 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
26821 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
26822 @end itemize
26823
26824 @node Maintenance Commands
26825 @appendix Maintenance Commands
26826 @cindex maintenance commands
26827 @cindex internal commands
26828
26829 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
26830 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
26831 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
26832 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
26833 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
26834
26835 @table @code
26836 @kindex maint agent
26837 @kindex maint agent-eval
26838 @item maint agent @var{expression}
26839 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
26840 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
26841 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
26842 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
26843 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
26844 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
26845 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
26846 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
26847 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
26848 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
26849 addition and return the sum.
26850
26851 @kindex maint info breakpoints
26852 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
26853 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
26854 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
26855 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
26856 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
26857 is shown:
26858
26859 @table @code
26860 @item breakpoint
26861 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
26862
26863 @item watchpoint
26864 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
26865
26866 @item longjmp
26867 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
26868 @code{longjmp} calls.
26869
26870 @item longjmp resume
26871 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
26872
26873 @item until
26874 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
26875
26876 @item finish
26877 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
26878
26879 @item shlib events
26880 Shared library events.
26881
26882 @end table
26883
26884 @kindex set displaced-stepping
26885 @kindex show displaced-stepping
26886 @cindex displaced stepping support
26887 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
26888 @item set displaced-stepping
26889 @itemx show displaced-stepping
26890 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
26891 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
26892 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
26893 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
26894 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
26895
26896 @table @code
26897 @item set displaced-stepping on
26898 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
26899 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
26900
26901 @item set displaced-stepping off
26902 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
26903 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
26904
26905 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
26906 @item set displaced-stepping auto
26907 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
26908 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
26909 architecture supports displaced stepping.
26910 @end table
26911
26912 @kindex maint check-symtabs
26913 @item maint check-symtabs
26914 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
26915
26916 @kindex maint cplus first_component
26917 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
26918 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
26919
26920 @kindex maint cplus namespace
26921 @item maint cplus namespace
26922 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
26923
26924 @kindex maint demangle
26925 @item maint demangle @var{name}
26926 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
26927
26928 @kindex maint deprecate
26929 @kindex maint undeprecate
26930 @cindex deprecated commands
26931 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
26932 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
26933 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
26934 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
26935 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
26936 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
26937 the replacement as part of the warning.
26938
26939 @kindex maint dump-me
26940 @item maint dump-me
26941 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
26942 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
26943 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
26944 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
26945
26946 @kindex maint internal-error
26947 @kindex maint internal-warning
26948 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
26949 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
26950 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
26951 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
26952 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
26953 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
26954 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
26955 @value{GDBN} session.
26956
26957 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
26958 used as the text of the error or warning message.
26959
26960 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
26961
26962 @smallexample
26963 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
26964 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
26965 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
26966 debugging may prove unreliable.
26967 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
26968 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
26969 (@value{GDBP})
26970 @end smallexample
26971
26972 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
26973 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
26974
26975 @kindex maint set internal-error
26976 @kindex maint show internal-error
26977 @kindex maint set internal-warning
26978 @kindex maint show internal-warning
26979 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
26980 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
26981 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
26982 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
26983 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
26984 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
26985 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
26986 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
26987 described in the table below.
26988
26989 @table @samp
26990 @item quit
26991 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
26992 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
26993
26994 @item corefile
26995 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
26996 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
26997 @end table
26998
26999 @kindex maint packet
27000 @item maint packet @var{text}
27001 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
27002 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
27003 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
27004 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
27005 checksum.
27006
27007 @kindex maint print architecture
27008 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27009 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
27010 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
27011
27012 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
27013 @item maint print c-tdesc
27014 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
27015 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
27016 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
27017
27018 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
27019 @item maint print dummy-frames
27020 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
27021
27022 @smallexample
27023 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
27024 @dots{}
27025 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
27026 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
27027 58 return (a + b);
27028 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
27029 @dots{}
27030 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
27031 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
27032 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
27033 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
27034 (@value{GDBP})
27035 @end smallexample
27036
27037 Takes an optional file parameter.
27038
27039 @kindex maint print registers
27040 @kindex maint print raw-registers
27041 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
27042 @kindex maint print register-groups
27043 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27044 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27045 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27046 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27047 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
27048
27049 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
27050 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
27051 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
27052 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
27053 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
27054 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
27055
27056 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
27057 write the information.
27058
27059 @kindex maint print reggroups
27060 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27061 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
27062 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
27063 information.
27064
27065 The register groups info looks like this:
27066
27067 @smallexample
27068 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
27069 Group Type
27070 general user
27071 float user
27072 all user
27073 vector user
27074 system user
27075 save internal
27076 restore internal
27077 @end smallexample
27078
27079 @kindex flushregs
27080 @item flushregs
27081 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
27082
27083 @kindex maint print objfiles
27084 @cindex info for known object files
27085 @item maint print objfiles
27086 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
27087 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
27088 and symtabs.
27089
27090 @kindex maint print statistics
27091 @cindex bcache statistics
27092 @item maint print statistics
27093 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
27094 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
27095 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
27096 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
27097 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
27098 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
27099 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
27100 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
27101 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
27102 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
27103 lengths.
27104
27105 @kindex maint print target-stack
27106 @cindex target stack description
27107 @item maint print target-stack
27108 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
27109 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
27110 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
27111 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
27112 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
27113 address.
27114
27115 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
27116 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
27117
27118 @kindex maint print type
27119 @cindex type chain of a data type
27120 @item maint print type @var{expr}
27121 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
27122 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
27123 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
27124 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
27125 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
27126
27127 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
27128 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
27129 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
27130 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
27131 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
27132
27133 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
27134 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
27135 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
27136 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
27137 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
27138 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
27139 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
27140 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
27141 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
27142
27143 @kindex maint set profile
27144 @kindex maint show profile
27145 @cindex profiling GDB
27146 @item maint set profile
27147 @itemx maint show profile
27148 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
27149
27150 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
27151 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
27152 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
27153 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
27154 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
27155 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
27156 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
27157
27158 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
27159 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
27160
27161 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
27162 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
27163 @cindex hardware debug registers
27164 @item maint set show-debug-regs
27165 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
27166 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
27167 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
27168 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
27169 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
27170 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
27171
27172 @kindex maint space
27173 @cindex memory used by commands
27174 @item maint space
27175 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
27176 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
27177 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
27178 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
27179 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
27180
27181 @kindex maint time
27182 @cindex time of command execution
27183 @item maint time
27184 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
27185 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
27186 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
27187 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
27188 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
27189 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
27190 it's not possibly currently
27191 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
27192 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
27193
27194 @kindex maint translate-address
27195 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
27196 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
27197 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
27198 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
27199 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
27200 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
27201 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
27202
27203 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
27204 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
27205 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
27206
27207 @end table
27208
27209 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
27210 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
27211
27212 @table @code
27213 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
27214 @kindex set watchdog
27215 @cindex watchdog timer
27216 @cindex timeout for commands
27217 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
27218 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
27219 reports and error and the command is aborted.
27220
27221 @item show watchdog
27222 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
27223 @end table
27224
27225 @node Remote Protocol
27226 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
27227
27228 @menu
27229 * Overview::
27230 * Packets::
27231 * Stop Reply Packets::
27232 * General Query Packets::
27233 * Register Packet Format::
27234 * Tracepoint Packets::
27235 * Host I/O Packets::
27236 * Interrupts::
27237 * Notification Packets::
27238 * Remote Non-Stop::
27239 * Packet Acknowledgment::
27240 * Examples::
27241 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
27242 * Library List Format::
27243 * Memory Map Format::
27244 @end menu
27245
27246 @node Overview
27247 @section Overview
27248
27249 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
27250 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
27251 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
27252 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
27253
27254 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
27255 transmitted and received data, respectively.
27256
27257 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
27258 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
27259 @cindex remote serial protocol
27260 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
27261 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
27262 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
27263 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
27264 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
27265
27266 @smallexample
27267 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
27268 @end smallexample
27269 @noindent
27270
27271 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
27272 @noindent
27273 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
27274 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
27275 eight bit unsigned checksum).
27276
27277 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
27278 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
27279
27280 @smallexample
27281 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
27282 @end smallexample
27283
27284 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
27285 @noindent
27286 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
27287 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
27288 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
27289
27290 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
27291 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
27292 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
27293 retransmission):
27294
27295 @smallexample
27296 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
27297 <- @code{+}
27298 @end smallexample
27299 @noindent
27300
27301 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
27302 once a connection is established.
27303 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
27304
27305 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
27306 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
27307 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
27308 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
27309 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
27310 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
27311 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
27312
27313 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
27314 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
27315 exceptions).
27316
27317 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
27318 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
27319 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
27320 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
27321
27322 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
27323 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
27324 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
27325
27326 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
27327 @anchor{Binary Data}
27328 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
27329 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
27330 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
27331 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
27332 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
27333 binary data.
27334
27335 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
27336 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
27337 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
27338 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
27339 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
27340 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
27341 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
27342 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
27343 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
27344 (described next).
27345
27346 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
27347 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
27348 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
27349 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
27350 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
27351 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
27352 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
27353 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
27354 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
27355 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
27356 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
27357 3}} more times.
27358
27359 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
27360 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
27361 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
27362 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
27363 @samp{0*"00}.
27364
27365 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
27366 error number. That number is not well defined.
27367
27368 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
27369 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
27370 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
27371 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
27372 on that response.
27373
27374 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
27375 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
27376 optional.
27377
27378 @node Packets
27379 @section Packets
27380
27381 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
27382 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
27383 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
27384 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
27385
27386 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
27387 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
27388 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
27389 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
27390 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
27391 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
27392 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
27393 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
27394 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
27395 @var{baz}.
27396
27397 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
27398 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
27399 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
27400 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
27401 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
27402 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
27403 pick any thread.
27404
27405 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
27406 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
27407 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
27408 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
27409 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
27410 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
27411 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
27412 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
27413 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
27414 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
27415 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
27416 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
27417 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
27418
27419 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
27420 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
27421 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
27422 more information.
27423
27424 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
27425 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
27426
27427 Here are the packet descriptions.
27428
27429 @table @samp
27430
27431 @item !
27432 @cindex @samp{!} packet
27433 @anchor{extended mode}
27434 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
27435 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
27436 debugged.
27437
27438 Reply:
27439 @table @samp
27440 @item OK
27441 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
27442 @end table
27443
27444 @item ?
27445 @cindex @samp{?} packet
27446 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
27447 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
27448 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
27449
27450 Reply:
27451 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27452
27453 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
27454 @cindex @samp{A} packet
27455 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
27456 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
27457 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
27458
27459 Reply:
27460 @table @samp
27461 @item OK
27462 The arguments were set.
27463 @item E @var{NN}
27464 An error occurred.
27465 @end table
27466
27467 @item b @var{baud}
27468 @cindex @samp{b} packet
27469 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
27470 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
27471
27472 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
27473 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
27474 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
27475
27476 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
27477 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
27478 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
27479 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
27480 of view, nothing actually happened.}
27481
27482 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
27483 @cindex @samp{B} packet
27484 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
27485 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
27486
27487 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
27488 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
27489
27490 @item bc
27491 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
27492 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
27493 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
27494
27495 Reply:
27496 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27497
27498 @item bs
27499 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
27500 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
27501 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
27502
27503 Reply:
27504 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27505
27506 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
27507 @cindex @samp{c} packet
27508 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
27509 resume at current address.
27510
27511 Reply:
27512 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27513
27514 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
27515 @cindex @samp{C} packet
27516 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
27517 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
27518
27519 Reply:
27520 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27521
27522 @item d
27523 @cindex @samp{d} packet
27524 Toggle debug flag.
27525
27526 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
27527 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
27528
27529 @item D
27530 @itemx D;@var{pid}
27531 @cindex @samp{D} packet
27532 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
27533 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
27534 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
27535
27536 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
27537 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
27538 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
27539 big-endian hex string.
27540
27541 Reply:
27542 @table @samp
27543 @item OK
27544 for success
27545 @item E @var{NN}
27546 for an error
27547 @end table
27548
27549 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
27550 @cindex @samp{F} packet
27551 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
27552 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
27553 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
27554
27555 @item g
27556 @anchor{read registers packet}
27557 @cindex @samp{g} packet
27558 Read general registers.
27559
27560 Reply:
27561 @table @samp
27562 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
27563 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
27564 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
27565 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
27566 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
27567 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
27568 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
27569 @item E @var{NN}
27570 for an error.
27571 @end table
27572
27573 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
27574 @cindex @samp{G} packet
27575 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
27576 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
27577
27578 Reply:
27579 @table @samp
27580 @item OK
27581 for success
27582 @item E @var{NN}
27583 for an error
27584 @end table
27585
27586 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
27587 @cindex @samp{H} packet
27588 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
27589 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
27590 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
27591 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
27592 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
27593
27594 Reply:
27595 @table @samp
27596 @item OK
27597 for success
27598 @item E @var{NN}
27599 for an error
27600 @end table
27601
27602 @c FIXME: JTC:
27603 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
27604 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
27605 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
27606 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
27607 @c described. For example:
27608 @c
27609 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
27610 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
27611 @c otherwise returns current registers.
27612 @c
27613 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
27614 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
27615 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
27616
27617 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
27618 @anchor{cycle step packet}
27619 @cindex @samp{i} packet
27620 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
27621 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
27622 step starting at that address.
27623
27624 @item I
27625 @cindex @samp{I} packet
27626 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
27627 step packet}.
27628
27629 @item k
27630 @cindex @samp{k} packet
27631 Kill request.
27632
27633 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
27634 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
27635 thread?)}.
27636
27637 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
27638 @cindex @samp{m} packet
27639 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
27640 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
27641
27642 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
27643 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
27644 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
27645 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
27646 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
27647 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
27648 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
27649 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
27650
27651 Reply:
27652 @table @samp
27653 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
27654 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
27655 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
27656 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
27657 @item E @var{NN}
27658 @var{NN} is errno
27659 @end table
27660
27661 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
27662 @cindex @samp{M} packet
27663 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
27664 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
27665 hexadecimal number.
27666
27667 Reply:
27668 @table @samp
27669 @item OK
27670 for success
27671 @item E @var{NN}
27672 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
27673 written).
27674 @end table
27675
27676 @item p @var{n}
27677 @cindex @samp{p} packet
27678 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
27679 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
27680 register value is encoded.
27681
27682 Reply:
27683 @table @samp
27684 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
27685 the register's value
27686 @item E @var{NN}
27687 for an error
27688 @item
27689 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
27690 @end table
27691
27692 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
27693 @anchor{write register packet}
27694 @cindex @samp{P} packet
27695 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
27696 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
27697 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
27698
27699 Reply:
27700 @table @samp
27701 @item OK
27702 for success
27703 @item E @var{NN}
27704 for an error
27705 @end table
27706
27707 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
27708 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
27709 @cindex @samp{q} packet
27710 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
27711 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
27712 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
27713
27714 @item r
27715 @cindex @samp{r} packet
27716 Reset the entire system.
27717
27718 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
27719
27720 @item R @var{XX}
27721 @cindex @samp{R} packet
27722 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
27723 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
27724
27725 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
27726
27727 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
27728 @cindex @samp{s} packet
27729 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
27730 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
27731
27732 Reply:
27733 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27734
27735 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
27736 @anchor{step with signal packet}
27737 @cindex @samp{S} packet
27738 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
27739 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
27740
27741 Reply:
27742 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27743
27744 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
27745 @cindex @samp{t} packet
27746 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
27747 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
27748 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
27749
27750 @item T @var{thread-id}
27751 @cindex @samp{T} packet
27752 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
27753
27754 Reply:
27755 @table @samp
27756 @item OK
27757 thread is still alive
27758 @item E @var{NN}
27759 thread is dead
27760 @end table
27761
27762 @item v
27763 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
27764 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
27765
27766 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
27767 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
27768 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
27769 The process ID is a
27770 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
27771 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
27772 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
27773
27774 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
27775 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
27776 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
27777 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
27778 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
27779 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
27780 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
27781 @c stopping or restarting threads.
27782
27783 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
27784
27785 Reply:
27786 @table @samp
27787 @item E @var{nn}
27788 for an error
27789 @item @r{Any stop packet}
27790 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
27791 @item OK
27792 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
27793 @end table
27794
27795 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
27796 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
27797 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
27798 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
27799 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
27800 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
27801 in their current state in non-stop mode.
27802 Specifying multiple
27803 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
27804 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
27805
27806 Currently supported actions are:
27807
27808 @table @samp
27809 @item c
27810 Continue.
27811 @item C @var{sig}
27812 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
27813 @item s
27814 Step.
27815 @item S @var{sig}
27816 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
27817 @item t
27818 Stop.
27819 @item T @var{sig}
27820 Stop with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
27821 @end table
27822
27823 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
27824 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
27825 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
27826
27827 The @samp{t} and @samp{T} actions are only relevant in non-stop mode
27828 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
27829 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
27830 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
27831 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
27832 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
27833 as an implementation detail.
27834
27835 Reply:
27836 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27837
27838 @item vCont?
27839 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
27840 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
27841
27842 Reply:
27843 @table @samp
27844 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
27845 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
27846 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
27847 @item
27848 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
27849 @end table
27850
27851 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
27852 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
27853 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
27854 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
27855
27856 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
27857 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
27858 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
27859 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
27860 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
27861 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
27862 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
27863 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
27864 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
27865 packet is received.
27866
27867 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
27868 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
27869 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
27870 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
27871 @var{thread-id}.
27872
27873 Reply:
27874 @table @samp
27875 @item OK
27876 for success
27877 @item E @var{NN}
27878 for an error
27879 @end table
27880
27881 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
27882 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
27883 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
27884 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
27885 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
27886 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
27887 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
27888 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
27889 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
27890 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
27891 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
27892 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
27893
27894
27895 Reply:
27896 @table @samp
27897 @item OK
27898 for success
27899 @item E.memtype
27900 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
27901 @item E @var{NN}
27902 for an error
27903 @end table
27904
27905 @item vFlashDone
27906 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
27907 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
27908 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
27909 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
27910 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
27911 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
27912 request is completed.
27913
27914 @item vKill;@var{pid}
27915 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
27916 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
27917 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
27918 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
27919 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
27920
27921 Reply:
27922 @table @samp
27923 @item E @var{nn}
27924 for an error
27925 @item OK
27926 for success
27927 @end table
27928
27929 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
27930 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
27931 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
27932 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
27933 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
27934 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
27935 state.
27936
27937 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
27938
27939 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
27940
27941 Reply:
27942 @table @samp
27943 @item E @var{nn}
27944 for an error
27945 @item @r{Any stop packet}
27946 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
27947 @end table
27948
27949 @item vStopped
27950 @anchor{vStopped packet}
27951 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
27952
27953 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
27954 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
27955
27956 Reply:
27957 @table @samp
27958 @item @r{Any stop packet}
27959 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
27960 @item OK
27961 if there are no unreported stop events
27962 @end table
27963
27964 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
27965 @anchor{X packet}
27966 @cindex @samp{X} packet
27967 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
27968 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
27969 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
27970
27971 Reply:
27972 @table @samp
27973 @item OK
27974 for success
27975 @item E @var{NN}
27976 for an error
27977 @end table
27978
27979 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
27980 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
27981 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
27982 @cindex @samp{z} packet
27983 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
27984 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
27985 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
27986 @var{length} bytes.
27987
27988 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
27989 separately.
27990
27991 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
27992 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
27993 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
27994 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
27995 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
27996 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
27997
27998 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
27999 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
28000 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
28001 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
28002 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
28003 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
28004
28005 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
28006 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
28007 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
28008 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
28009 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
28010
28011 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
28012 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
28013 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
28014 target, is not defined.}
28015
28016 Reply:
28017 @table @samp
28018 @item OK
28019 success
28020 @item
28021 not supported
28022 @item E @var{NN}
28023 for an error
28024 @end table
28025
28026 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
28027 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
28028 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
28029 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
28030 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
28031 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
28032
28033 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
28034 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
28035
28036 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
28037 movement.}
28038
28039 Reply:
28040 @table @samp
28041 @item OK
28042 success
28043 @item
28044 not supported
28045 @item E @var{NN}
28046 for an error
28047 @end table
28048
28049 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
28050 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
28051 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
28052 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
28053 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
28054
28055 Reply:
28056 @table @samp
28057 @item OK
28058 success
28059 @item
28060 not supported
28061 @item E @var{NN}
28062 for an error
28063 @end table
28064
28065 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
28066 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
28067 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
28068 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
28069 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
28070
28071 Reply:
28072 @table @samp
28073 @item OK
28074 success
28075 @item
28076 not supported
28077 @item E @var{NN}
28078 for an error
28079 @end table
28080
28081 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
28082 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
28083 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
28084 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
28085 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
28086
28087 Reply:
28088 @table @samp
28089 @item OK
28090 success
28091 @item
28092 not supported
28093 @item E @var{NN}
28094 for an error
28095 @end table
28096
28097 @end table
28098
28099 @node Stop Reply Packets
28100 @section Stop Reply Packets
28101 @cindex stop reply packets
28102
28103 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
28104 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
28105 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
28106 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
28107 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
28108 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
28109 @value{GDBN} source code.
28110
28111 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
28112 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
28113 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
28114 components.
28115
28116 @table @samp
28117
28118 @item S @var{AA}
28119 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
28120 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
28121 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
28122
28123 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
28124 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
28125 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
28126 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
28127 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
28128 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
28129 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
28130 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
28131
28132 @itemize @bullet
28133 @item
28134 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
28135 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
28136 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
28137 two-digit hex number.
28138
28139 @item
28140 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
28141 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28142
28143 @item
28144 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
28145 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
28146 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
28147 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
28148
28149 @item
28150 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
28151 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
28152 future.
28153 @end itemize
28154
28155 The currently defined stop reasons are:
28156
28157 @table @samp
28158 @item watch
28159 @itemx rwatch
28160 @itemx awatch
28161 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
28162 hex.
28163
28164 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
28165 @item library
28166 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
28167 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
28168 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
28169
28170 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
28171 @item replaylog
28172 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
28173 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
28174 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
28175 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
28176 for more information.
28177
28178
28179 @end table
28180
28181 @item W @var{AA}
28182 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
28183 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
28184 applicable to certain targets.
28185
28186 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
28187 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
28188 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
28189 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
28190
28191 @item X @var{AA}
28192 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
28193 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
28194
28195 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
28196 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
28197 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
28198 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
28199
28200 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
28201 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
28202 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
28203 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
28204 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
28205
28206 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
28207 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
28208 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
28209 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
28210 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
28211 system calls.
28212
28213 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
28214 this very system call.
28215
28216 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
28217 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
28218 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
28219 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
28220 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
28221 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
28222
28223 @end table
28224
28225 @node General Query Packets
28226 @section General Query Packets
28227 @cindex remote query requests
28228
28229 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
28230 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
28231 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
28232 sending information to and from the stub.
28233
28234 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
28235 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
28236 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
28237 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
28238 conventions:
28239
28240 @itemize @bullet
28241 @item
28242 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
28243 @item
28244 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
28245 letter.
28246 @item
28247 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
28248 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
28249 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
28250 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
28251 @end itemize
28252
28253 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
28254 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
28255 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
28256 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
28257 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
28258 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
28259 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
28260 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
28261 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
28262 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
28263 packet.}.
28264
28265 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
28266 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
28267 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
28268 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
28269 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
28270
28271 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
28272
28273 @table @samp
28274
28275 @item qC
28276 @cindex current thread, remote request
28277 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
28278 Return the current thread ID.
28279
28280 Reply:
28281 @table @samp
28282 @item QC @var{thread-id}
28283 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
28284 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28285 @item @r{(anything else)}
28286 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
28287 @end table
28288
28289 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
28290 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
28291 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
28292 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
28293 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
28294 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
28295 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
28296
28297 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
28298 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
28299 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
28300 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
28301 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
28302 detect trailing zeros.
28303
28304 Reply:
28305 @table @samp
28306 @item E @var{NN}
28307 An error (such as memory fault)
28308 @item C @var{crc32}
28309 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
28310 @end table
28311
28312 @item qfThreadInfo
28313 @itemx qsThreadInfo
28314 @cindex list active threads, remote request
28315 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
28316 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
28317 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
28318 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
28319 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
28320 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
28321 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
28322 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
28323
28324 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
28325
28326 Reply:
28327 @table @samp
28328 @item m @var{thread-id}
28329 A single thread ID
28330 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
28331 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
28332 @item l
28333 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
28334 @end table
28335
28336 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
28337 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
28338 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
28339 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
28340 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
28341 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
28342 fields.
28343
28344 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
28345 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
28346 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
28347 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
28348 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
28349
28350 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
28351 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
28352
28353 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
28354 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
28355 information associated with the variable.)
28356
28357 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
28358 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
28359 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
28360 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
28361 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
28362 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
28363
28364 Reply:
28365 @table @samp
28366 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
28367 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
28368 local storage requested.
28369
28370 @item E @var{nn}
28371 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
28372
28373 @item
28374 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
28375 @end table
28376
28377 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
28378 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
28379 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
28380 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
28381 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
28382 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
28383 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
28384
28385 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
28386
28387 Reply:
28388 @table @samp
28389 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
28390 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
28391 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
28392 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
28393 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
28394 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
28395 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
28396 @end table
28397
28398 @item qOffsets
28399 @cindex section offsets, remote request
28400 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
28401 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
28402 image.
28403
28404 Reply:
28405 @table @samp
28406 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
28407 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
28408 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
28409 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
28410 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
28411 segments by the supplied offsets.
28412
28413 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
28414 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
28415 to the @code{Bss} section.}
28416
28417 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
28418 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
28419 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
28420 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
28421 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
28422 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
28423 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
28424 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
28425 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
28426 @end table
28427
28428 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
28429 @cindex thread information, remote request
28430 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
28431 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
28432 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
28433 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
28434
28435 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
28436 (see below).
28437
28438 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
28439
28440 @item QNonStop:1
28441 @item QNonStop:0
28442 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
28443 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
28444 @anchor{QNonStop}
28445 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
28446 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
28447
28448 Reply:
28449 @table @samp
28450 @item OK
28451 The request succeeded.
28452
28453 @item E @var{nn}
28454 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
28455
28456 @item
28457 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
28458 the stub.
28459 @end table
28460
28461 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28462 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28463 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
28464 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
28465
28466 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
28467 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
28468 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
28469 @anchor{QPassSignals}
28470 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
28471 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
28472 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
28473 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
28474 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
28475 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
28476 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
28477 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
28478 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
28479
28480 Reply:
28481 @table @samp
28482 @item OK
28483 The request succeeded.
28484
28485 @item E @var{nn}
28486 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
28487
28488 @item
28489 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
28490 the stub.
28491 @end table
28492
28493 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
28494 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
28495 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28496 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28497
28498 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
28499 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
28500 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
28501 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
28502 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
28503 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
28504 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
28505 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
28506 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
28507
28508 Reply:
28509 @table @samp
28510 @item OK
28511 A command response with no output.
28512 @item @var{OUTPUT}
28513 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
28514 @item E @var{NN}
28515 Indicate a badly formed request.
28516 @item
28517 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
28518 @end table
28519
28520 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
28521 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
28522 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
28523 packets.)
28524
28525 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
28526 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
28527 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
28528 @anchor{qSearch memory}
28529 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
28530 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
28531 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
28532
28533 Reply:
28534 @table @samp
28535 @item 0
28536 The pattern was not found.
28537 @item 1,address
28538 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
28539 @item E @var{NN}
28540 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
28541 @item
28542 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
28543 @end table
28544
28545 @item QStartNoAckMode
28546 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
28547 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
28548 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
28549 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
28550
28551 Reply:
28552 @table @samp
28553 @item OK
28554 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
28555 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
28556 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
28557 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
28558 @item
28559 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
28560 @end table
28561
28562 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
28563 @cindex supported packets, remote query
28564 @cindex features of the remote protocol
28565 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
28566 @anchor{qSupported}
28567 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
28568 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
28569 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
28570 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
28571 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
28572 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
28573 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
28574 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
28575 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
28576 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
28577 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
28578 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
28579 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
28580 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
28581
28582 Reply:
28583 @table @samp
28584 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
28585 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
28586 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
28587 possible forms).
28588 @item
28589 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
28590 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
28591 @end table
28592
28593 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
28594 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
28595 are:
28596
28597 @table @samp
28598 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
28599 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
28600 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
28601 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
28602 @item @var{name}+
28603 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
28604 need an associated value.
28605 @item @var{name}-
28606 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
28607 @item @var{name}?
28608 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
28609 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
28610 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
28611 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
28612 @end table
28613
28614 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
28615 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
28616 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
28617 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
28618 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
28619
28620 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
28621 are defined:
28622
28623 @table @samp
28624 @item multiprocess
28625 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
28626 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
28627 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
28628 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
28629 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
28630 @end table
28631
28632 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
28633 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
28634 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
28635 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
28636 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
28637 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
28638 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
28639 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
28640 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
28641 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
28642 all the features it supports.
28643
28644 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
28645 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
28646
28647 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
28648 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
28649 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
28650 form response.
28651
28652 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
28653 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
28654 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
28655 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
28656
28657 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
28658 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
28659 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
28660 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
28661 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
28662
28663 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
28664
28665 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
28666 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
28667 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
28668 @item Feature Name
28669 @tab Value Required
28670 @tab Default
28671 @tab Probe Allowed
28672
28673 @item @samp{PacketSize}
28674 @tab Yes
28675 @tab @samp{-}
28676 @tab No
28677
28678 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
28679 @tab No
28680 @tab @samp{-}
28681 @tab Yes
28682
28683 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
28684 @tab No
28685 @tab @samp{-}
28686 @tab Yes
28687
28688 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
28689 @tab No
28690 @tab @samp{-}
28691 @tab Yes
28692
28693 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
28694 @tab No
28695 @tab @samp{-}
28696 @tab Yes
28697
28698 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
28699 @tab No
28700 @tab @samp{-}
28701 @tab Yes
28702
28703 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
28704 @tab No
28705 @tab @samp{-}
28706 @tab Yes
28707
28708 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
28709 @tab No
28710 @tab @samp{-}
28711 @tab Yes
28712
28713 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
28714 @tab No
28715 @tab @samp{-}
28716 @tab Yes
28717
28718 @item @samp{QNonStop}
28719 @tab No
28720 @tab @samp{-}
28721 @tab Yes
28722
28723 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
28724 @tab No
28725 @tab @samp{-}
28726 @tab Yes
28727
28728 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
28729 @tab No
28730 @tab @samp{-}
28731 @tab Yes
28732
28733 @item @samp{multiprocess}
28734 @tab No
28735 @tab @samp{-}
28736 @tab No
28737
28738 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
28739 @tab No
28740 @tab @samp{-}
28741 @tab No
28742
28743 @end multitable
28744
28745 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
28746
28747 @table @samp
28748 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
28749 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
28750 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
28751 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
28752 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
28753 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
28754 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
28755 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
28756 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
28757 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
28758
28759 @item qXfer:auxv:read
28760 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
28761 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
28762
28763 @item qXfer:features:read
28764 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
28765 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
28766
28767 @item qXfer:libraries:read
28768 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
28769 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
28770
28771 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
28772 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
28773 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
28774
28775 @item qXfer:spu:read
28776 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
28777 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
28778
28779 @item qXfer:spu:write
28780 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
28781 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
28782
28783 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
28784 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
28785 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
28786
28787 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
28788 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
28789 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
28790
28791 @item QNonStop
28792 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
28793 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
28794
28795 @item QPassSignals
28796 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
28797 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
28798
28799 @item QStartNoAckMode
28800 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
28801 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
28802
28803 @item multiprocess
28804 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
28805 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
28806 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
28807 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
28808 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
28809 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
28810 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
28811 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
28812 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
28813 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
28814 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
28815
28816 @item qXfer:osdata:read
28817 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
28818 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
28819
28820 @item ConditionalTracepoints
28821 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
28822 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
28823
28824 @end table
28825
28826 @item qSymbol::
28827 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
28828 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
28829 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
28830 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
28831
28832 Reply:
28833 @table @samp
28834 @item OK
28835 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
28836 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
28837 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
28838 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
28839 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
28840 below.
28841 @end table
28842
28843 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
28844 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
28845
28846 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
28847 target has previously requested.
28848
28849 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
28850 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
28851 will be empty.
28852
28853 Reply:
28854 @table @samp
28855 @item OK
28856 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
28857 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
28858 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
28859 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
28860 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
28861 @end table
28862
28863 @item QTDP
28864 @itemx QTFrame
28865 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
28866
28867 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
28868 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
28869 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
28870 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
28871 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
28872 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
28873 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
28874 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
28875 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
28876 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
28877 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
28878
28879 Reply:
28880 @table @samp
28881 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
28882 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
28883 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
28884 the thread's attributes.
28885 @end table
28886
28887 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
28888 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
28889 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
28890 packets.)
28891
28892 @item QTStart
28893 @itemx QTStop
28894 @itemx QTinit
28895 @itemx QTro
28896 @itemx qTStatus
28897 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
28898
28899 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28900 @cindex read special object, remote request
28901 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
28902 @anchor{qXfer read}
28903 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
28904 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
28905 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
28906 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
28907 additional details about what data to access.
28908
28909 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
28910 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
28911 formats, listed below.
28912
28913 @table @samp
28914 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28915 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
28916 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
28917 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
28918
28919 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28920 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28921
28922 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28923 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
28924 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
28925 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
28926 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
28927
28928 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28929 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28930
28931 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28932 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
28933 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
28934 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
28935 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
28936
28937 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
28938 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
28939 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
28940
28941 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28942 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28943
28944 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28945 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
28946 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
28947 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
28948 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
28949
28950 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28951 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28952
28953 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28954 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
28955 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
28956 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
28957 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
28958
28959 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28960 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
28961 (@pxref{qSupported}).
28962
28963 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28964 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
28965 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
28966 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
28967 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
28968 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
28969 in that context to be accessed.
28970
28971 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28972 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
28973 (@pxref{qSupported}).
28974
28975 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28976 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
28977 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
28978 @xref{Operating System Information}.
28979
28980 @end table
28981
28982 Reply:
28983 @table @samp
28984 @item m @var{data}
28985 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
28986 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
28987 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
28988 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
28989 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
28990 request.
28991
28992 @item l @var{data}
28993 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
28994 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
28995 than the @var{length} in the request.
28996
28997 @item l
28998 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
28999 There is no more data to be read.
29000
29001 @item E00
29002 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
29003
29004 @item E @var{nn}
29005 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
29006 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
29007
29008 @item
29009 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
29010 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
29011 @end table
29012
29013 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29014 @cindex write data into object, remote request
29015 @anchor{qXfer write}
29016 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
29017 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
29018 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
29019 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
29020 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
29021 to access.
29022
29023 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
29024 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
29025 formats, listed below.
29026
29027 @table @samp
29028 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29029 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
29030 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
29031 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
29032 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
29033
29034 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29035 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
29036 (@pxref{qSupported}).
29037
29038 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29039 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
29040 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
29041 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
29042 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
29043 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
29044 in that context to be accessed.
29045
29046 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29047 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29048 @end table
29049
29050 Reply:
29051 @table @samp
29052 @item @var{nn}
29053 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
29054 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
29055
29056 @item E00
29057 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
29058
29059 @item E @var{nn}
29060 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
29061 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
29062
29063 @item
29064 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
29065 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
29066 @end table
29067
29068 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
29069 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
29070 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
29071 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
29072 must respond with an empty packet.
29073
29074 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
29075 @cindex query attached, remote request
29076 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
29077 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
29078 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
29079 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
29080 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
29081 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
29082 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
29083
29084 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
29085 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
29086 the @code{quit} command.
29087
29088 Reply:
29089 @table @samp
29090 @item 1
29091 The remote server attached to an existing process.
29092 @item 0
29093 The remote server created a new process.
29094 @item E @var{NN}
29095 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
29096 @end table
29097
29098 @end table
29099
29100 @node Register Packet Format
29101 @section Register Packet Format
29102
29103 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
29104 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
29105 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
29106 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
29107 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
29108 most-significant - least-significant.
29109
29110 @table @r
29111
29112 @item MIPS32
29113
29114 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
29115 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
29116 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
29117
29118 @item MIPS64
29119
29120 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
29121 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
29122 as @code{MIPS32}.
29123
29124 @end table
29125
29126 @node Tracepoint Packets
29127 @section Tracepoint Packets
29128 @cindex tracepoint packets
29129 @cindex packets, tracepoint
29130
29131 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
29132 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
29133
29134 @table @samp
29135
29136 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
29137 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
29138 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
29139 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
29140 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{X} is present,
29141 it introduces a tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal
29142 length, followed by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar
29143 to action encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is
29144 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
29145 tracepoint's actions.
29146
29147 Replies:
29148 @table @samp
29149 @item OK
29150 The packet was understood and carried out.
29151 @item
29152 The packet was not recognized.
29153 @end table
29154
29155 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
29156 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
29157 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
29158 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
29159 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
29160 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
29161 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
29162
29163 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
29164 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
29165 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
29166 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
29167 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
29168 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
29169 tracepoint actions.
29170
29171 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
29172 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
29173 following forms:
29174
29175 @table @samp
29176
29177 @item R @var{mask}
29178 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
29179 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
29180 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
29181 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
29182 not fit in a 32-bit word.
29183
29184 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
29185 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
29186 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
29187 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
29188 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
29189 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
29190 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
29191
29192 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
29193 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
29194 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
29195 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
29196 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
29197 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
29198 packet).
29199
29200 @end table
29201
29202 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
29203 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
29204 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
29205 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
29206 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
29207 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
29208 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
29209 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
29210
29211 Replies:
29212 @table @samp
29213 @item OK
29214 The packet was understood and carried out.
29215 @item
29216 The packet was not recognized.
29217 @end table
29218
29219 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
29220 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
29221 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
29222 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
29223
29224 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
29225 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
29226 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
29227 one of the following forms:
29228
29229 @table @samp
29230 @item F @var{f}
29231 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
29232 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
29233 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
29234
29235 @item T @var{t}
29236 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
29237 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
29238
29239 @end table
29240
29241 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
29242 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
29243 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
29244 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
29245
29246 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
29247 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
29248 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
29249 is a hexadecimal number.
29250
29251 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
29252 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
29253 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
29254 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
29255 numbers.
29256
29257 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
29258 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
29259 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
29260
29261 @item QTStart
29262 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
29263 hits in the trace frame buffer.
29264
29265 @item QTStop
29266 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
29267
29268 @item QTinit
29269 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
29270
29271 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
29272 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
29273 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
29274 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
29275
29276 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
29277 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
29278 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
29279 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
29280
29281 @item qTStatus
29282 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
29283
29284 Replies:
29285 @table @samp
29286 @item T0
29287 There is no trace experiment running.
29288 @item T1
29289 There is a trace experiment running.
29290 @end table
29291
29292 @end table
29293
29294
29295 @node Host I/O Packets
29296 @section Host I/O Packets
29297 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
29298 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
29299
29300 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
29301 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
29302 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
29303 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
29304 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
29305 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
29306 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
29307 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
29308 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
29309 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
29310
29311 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
29312 its arguments. They have this format:
29313
29314 @table @samp
29315
29316 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
29317 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
29318 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
29319 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
29320 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
29321 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
29322 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
29323 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
29324 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
29325
29326 @end table
29327
29328 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
29329
29330 @table @samp
29331
29332 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
29333 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
29334 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
29335 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
29336 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
29337 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
29338 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
29339 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
29340 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
29341 @var{attachment}.
29342
29343 @item
29344 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
29345
29346 @end table
29347
29348 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
29349
29350 @table @samp
29351 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
29352 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
29353 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
29354 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
29355 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
29356 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
29357 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
29358
29359 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
29360 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
29361 -1 if an error occurs.
29362
29363 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
29364 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
29365 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
29366 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
29367 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
29368 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
29369 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
29370 @var{count} was zero.
29371
29372 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
29373 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
29374 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
29375 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
29376 some characters were escaped.
29377
29378 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
29379 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
29380 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
29381 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
29382 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
29383 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
29384 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
29385 error occurred.
29386
29387 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
29388 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
29389 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
29390
29391 @end table
29392
29393 @node Interrupts
29394 @section Interrupts
29395 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
29396
29397 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
29398 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C} or a @code{BREAK},
29399 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{remotebreak}
29400 setting (@pxref{set remotebreak}).
29401
29402 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
29403 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
29404 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
29405 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
29406 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
29407
29408 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
29409 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
29410 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
29411 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
29412 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
29413 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
29414 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
29415 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
29416
29417 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
29418 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
29419 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
29420 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
29421 currently-executing threads and processes.
29422 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
29423 running program, it should send one of the stop
29424 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
29425 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
29426 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
29427 Interrupts received while the
29428 program is stopped are discarded.
29429
29430 @node Notification Packets
29431 @section Notification Packets
29432 @cindex notification packets
29433 @cindex packets, notification
29434
29435 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
29436 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
29437 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
29438 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
29439 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
29440 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
29441 is not a problem.
29442
29443 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
29444 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
29445 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
29446 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
29447 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
29448 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
29449 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
29450
29451 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
29452 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
29453
29454 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
29455 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
29456 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
29457 not they understand it.
29458
29459 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
29460 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
29461 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
29462 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
29463 recipients.
29464
29465 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
29466 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
29467 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
29468 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
29469 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
29470
29471 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
29472 defined:
29473
29474 @table @samp
29475 @item Stop: @var{reply}
29476 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
29477 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
29478 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
29479 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
29480 @value{GDBN}.
29481 @end table
29482
29483 @node Remote Non-Stop
29484 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
29485
29486 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
29487 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
29488 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
29489 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29490
29491 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
29492 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
29493 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
29494 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
29495 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
29496 probe the target state after a mode change.
29497
29498 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
29499 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
29500 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
29501 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
29502 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
29503 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
29504 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
29505 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
29506 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
29507 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
29508 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
29509
29510 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
29511 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
29512 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
29513 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
29514 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
29515 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
29516 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
29517 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
29518 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
29519 sending any queued stop events.
29520
29521 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
29522 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
29523 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
29524 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
29525 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
29526 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
29527 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
29528
29529 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
29530 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
29531 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
29532 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
29533 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
29534 process normally.
29535
29536 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
29537 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
29538 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
29539 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
29540 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
29541 should process normally.
29542
29543 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
29544 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
29545 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
29546 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
29547 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
29548
29549 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
29550 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
29551 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
29552 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
29553 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
29554 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
29555 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
29556 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
29557 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
29558 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
29559 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
29560 @samp{OK}.
29561
29562 @node Packet Acknowledgment
29563 @section Packet Acknowledgment
29564
29565 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
29566 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
29567 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
29568 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
29569 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
29570 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
29571 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
29572
29573 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
29574 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
29575 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
29576 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
29577 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
29578
29579 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
29580 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
29581 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
29582 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
29583
29584 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
29585 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
29586 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
29587 @pxref{qSupported}.
29588 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
29589 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
29590 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
29591 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
29592 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
29593 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
29594 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
29595
29596 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
29597 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
29598 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
29599 connection.
29600 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
29601 new connection is established,
29602 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
29603 for the current connection, once disabled.
29604
29605 @node Examples
29606 @section Examples
29607
29608 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
29609 does not get any direct output:
29610
29611 @smallexample
29612 -> @code{R00}
29613 <- @code{+}
29614 @emph{target restarts}
29615 -> @code{?}
29616 <- @code{+}
29617 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
29618 -> @code{+}
29619 @end smallexample
29620
29621 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
29622
29623 @smallexample
29624 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
29625 <- @code{+}
29626 -> @code{s}
29627 <- @code{+}
29628 @emph{time passes}
29629 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
29630 -> @code{+}
29631 -> @code{g}
29632 <- @code{+}
29633 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
29634 -> @code{+}
29635 @end smallexample
29636
29637 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
29638 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
29639 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
29640
29641 @menu
29642 * File-I/O Overview::
29643 * Protocol Basics::
29644 * The F Request Packet::
29645 * The F Reply Packet::
29646 * The Ctrl-C Message::
29647 * Console I/O::
29648 * List of Supported Calls::
29649 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
29650 * Constants::
29651 * File-I/O Examples::
29652 @end menu
29653
29654 @node File-I/O Overview
29655 @subsection File-I/O Overview
29656 @cindex file-i/o overview
29657
29658 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
29659 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
29660 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
29661 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
29662 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
29663 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
29664
29665 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
29666 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
29667 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
29668 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
29669 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
29670
29671 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
29672 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
29673 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
29674 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
29675 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
29676 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
29677 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
29678
29679 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
29680 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
29681 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
29682 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
29683 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
29684
29685 @smallexample
29686 (@value{GDBP}) continue
29687 <- target requests 'system call X'
29688 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
29689 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
29690 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
29691 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
29692 @end smallexample
29693
29694 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
29695 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
29696 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
29697 system are not supported by this protocol.
29698
29699 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
29700
29701 @node Protocol Basics
29702 @subsection Protocol Basics
29703 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
29704
29705 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
29706 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
29707 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
29708 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
29709 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
29710 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
29711 to call the appropriate host system call:
29712
29713 @itemize @bullet
29714 @item
29715 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
29716
29717 @item
29718 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
29719 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
29720 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
29721 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
29722
29723 @end itemize
29724
29725 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
29726
29727 @itemize @bullet
29728 @item
29729 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
29730 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
29731 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
29732 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
29733 packet.
29734
29735 @item
29736 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
29737 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
29738
29739 @item
29740 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
29741
29742 @item
29743 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
29744
29745 @item
29746 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
29747 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
29748 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
29749 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
29750 packet.
29751
29752 @end itemize
29753
29754 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
29755 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
29756
29757 @itemize @bullet
29758 @item
29759 Return value.
29760
29761 @item
29762 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
29763
29764 @item
29765 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
29766
29767 @end itemize
29768
29769 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
29770 the latest continue or step action.
29771
29772 @node The F Request Packet
29773 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
29774 @cindex file-i/o request packet
29775 @cindex @code{F} request packet
29776
29777 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
29778
29779 @table @samp
29780 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
29781
29782 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
29783 This is just the name of the function.
29784
29785 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
29786 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
29787 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
29788 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
29789 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
29790 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
29791 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
29792
29793 @end table
29794
29795
29796
29797 @node The F Reply Packet
29798 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
29799 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
29800 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
29801
29802 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
29803
29804 @table @samp
29805
29806 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
29807
29808 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
29809
29810 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
29811 representation.
29812 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
29813
29814 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
29815 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
29816 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
29817
29818 @smallexample
29819 F0,0,C
29820 @end smallexample
29821
29822 @noindent
29823 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
29824
29825 @smallexample
29826 F-1,4,C
29827 @end smallexample
29828
29829 @noindent
29830 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
29831
29832 @end table
29833
29834
29835 @node The Ctrl-C Message
29836 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
29837 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
29838
29839 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
29840 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
29841 the target should behave as if it had
29842 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
29843 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
29844 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
29845 packet.
29846
29847 It's important for the target to know in which
29848 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
29849
29850 @itemize @bullet
29851 @item
29852 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
29853
29854 @item
29855 The system call on the host has been finished.
29856
29857 @end itemize
29858
29859 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
29860 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
29861 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
29862 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
29863 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
29864 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
29865
29866 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
29867 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
29868 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
29869 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
29870 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
29871 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
29872 or the full action has been completed.
29873
29874 @node Console I/O
29875 @subsection Console I/O
29876 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
29877
29878 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
29879 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
29880 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
29881 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
29882 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
29883 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
29884 conditions is met:
29885
29886 @itemize @bullet
29887 @item
29888 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
29889 @code{read}
29890 system call is treated as finished.
29891
29892 @item
29893 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
29894 newline.
29895
29896 @item
29897 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
29898 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
29899
29900 @end itemize
29901
29902 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
29903 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
29904 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
29905 is stopped at the user's request.
29906
29907
29908 @node List of Supported Calls
29909 @subsection List of Supported Calls
29910 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
29911
29912 @menu
29913 * open::
29914 * close::
29915 * read::
29916 * write::
29917 * lseek::
29918 * rename::
29919 * unlink::
29920 * stat/fstat::
29921 * gettimeofday::
29922 * isatty::
29923 * system::
29924 @end menu
29925
29926 @node open
29927 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
29928 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
29929
29930 @table @asis
29931 @item Synopsis:
29932 @smallexample
29933 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
29934 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
29935 @end smallexample
29936
29937 @item Request:
29938 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
29939
29940 @noindent
29941 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
29942
29943 @table @code
29944 @item O_CREAT
29945 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
29946 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
29947 are concerned.
29948
29949 @item O_EXCL
29950 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
29951 an error and open() fails.
29952
29953 @item O_TRUNC
29954 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
29955 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
29956 truncated to zero length.
29957
29958 @item O_APPEND
29959 The file is opened in append mode.
29960
29961 @item O_RDONLY
29962 The file is opened for reading only.
29963
29964 @item O_WRONLY
29965 The file is opened for writing only.
29966
29967 @item O_RDWR
29968 The file is opened for reading and writing.
29969 @end table
29970
29971 @noindent
29972 Other bits are silently ignored.
29973
29974
29975 @noindent
29976 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
29977
29978 @table @code
29979 @item S_IRUSR
29980 User has read permission.
29981
29982 @item S_IWUSR
29983 User has write permission.
29984
29985 @item S_IRGRP
29986 Group has read permission.
29987
29988 @item S_IWGRP
29989 Group has write permission.
29990
29991 @item S_IROTH
29992 Others have read permission.
29993
29994 @item S_IWOTH
29995 Others have write permission.
29996 @end table
29997
29998 @noindent
29999 Other bits are silently ignored.
30000
30001
30002 @item Return value:
30003 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
30004 occurred.
30005
30006 @item Errors:
30007
30008 @table @code
30009 @item EEXIST
30010 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
30011
30012 @item EISDIR
30013 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
30014
30015 @item EACCES
30016 The requested access is not allowed.
30017
30018 @item ENAMETOOLONG
30019 @var{pathname} was too long.
30020
30021 @item ENOENT
30022 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
30023
30024 @item ENODEV
30025 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
30026
30027 @item EROFS
30028 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
30029 write access was requested.
30030
30031 @item EFAULT
30032 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
30033
30034 @item ENOSPC
30035 No space on device to create the file.
30036
30037 @item EMFILE
30038 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
30039
30040 @item ENFILE
30041 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
30042 has been reached.
30043
30044 @item EINTR
30045 The call was interrupted by the user.
30046 @end table
30047
30048 @end table
30049
30050 @node close
30051 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
30052 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
30053
30054 @table @asis
30055 @item Synopsis:
30056 @smallexample
30057 int close(int fd);
30058 @end smallexample
30059
30060 @item Request:
30061 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
30062
30063 @item Return value:
30064 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
30065
30066 @item Errors:
30067
30068 @table @code
30069 @item EBADF
30070 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
30071
30072 @item EINTR
30073 The call was interrupted by the user.
30074 @end table
30075
30076 @end table
30077
30078 @node read
30079 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
30080 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
30081
30082 @table @asis
30083 @item Synopsis:
30084 @smallexample
30085 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
30086 @end smallexample
30087
30088 @item Request:
30089 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
30090
30091 @item Return value:
30092 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
30093 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
30094 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
30095
30096 @item Errors:
30097
30098 @table @code
30099 @item EBADF
30100 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
30101 reading.
30102
30103 @item EFAULT
30104 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
30105
30106 @item EINTR
30107 The call was interrupted by the user.
30108 @end table
30109
30110 @end table
30111
30112 @node write
30113 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
30114 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
30115
30116 @table @asis
30117 @item Synopsis:
30118 @smallexample
30119 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
30120 @end smallexample
30121
30122 @item Request:
30123 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
30124
30125 @item Return value:
30126 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
30127 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
30128 is returned.
30129
30130 @item Errors:
30131
30132 @table @code
30133 @item EBADF
30134 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
30135 writing.
30136
30137 @item EFAULT
30138 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
30139
30140 @item EFBIG
30141 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
30142 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
30143
30144 @item ENOSPC
30145 No space on device to write the data.
30146
30147 @item EINTR
30148 The call was interrupted by the user.
30149 @end table
30150
30151 @end table
30152
30153 @node lseek
30154 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
30155 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
30156
30157 @table @asis
30158 @item Synopsis:
30159 @smallexample
30160 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
30161 @end smallexample
30162
30163 @item Request:
30164 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
30165
30166 @var{flag} is one of:
30167
30168 @table @code
30169 @item SEEK_SET
30170 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
30171
30172 @item SEEK_CUR
30173 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
30174 bytes.
30175
30176 @item SEEK_END
30177 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
30178 bytes.
30179 @end table
30180
30181 @item Return value:
30182 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
30183 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
30184 value of -1 is returned.
30185
30186 @item Errors:
30187
30188 @table @code
30189 @item EBADF
30190 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
30191
30192 @item ESPIPE
30193 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
30194
30195 @item EINVAL
30196 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
30197
30198 @item EINTR
30199 The call was interrupted by the user.
30200 @end table
30201
30202 @end table
30203
30204 @node rename
30205 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
30206 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
30207
30208 @table @asis
30209 @item Synopsis:
30210 @smallexample
30211 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
30212 @end smallexample
30213
30214 @item Request:
30215 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
30216
30217 @item Return value:
30218 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
30219
30220 @item Errors:
30221
30222 @table @code
30223 @item EISDIR
30224 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
30225 directory.
30226
30227 @item EEXIST
30228 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
30229
30230 @item EBUSY
30231 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
30232 process.
30233
30234 @item EINVAL
30235 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
30236 of itself.
30237
30238 @item ENOTDIR
30239 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
30240 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
30241 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
30242
30243 @item EFAULT
30244 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
30245
30246 @item EACCES
30247 No access to the file or the path of the file.
30248
30249 @item ENAMETOOLONG
30250
30251 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
30252
30253 @item ENOENT
30254 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
30255
30256 @item EROFS
30257 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
30258
30259 @item ENOSPC
30260 The device containing the file has no room for the new
30261 directory entry.
30262
30263 @item EINTR
30264 The call was interrupted by the user.
30265 @end table
30266
30267 @end table
30268
30269 @node unlink
30270 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
30271 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
30272
30273 @table @asis
30274 @item Synopsis:
30275 @smallexample
30276 int unlink(const char *pathname);
30277 @end smallexample
30278
30279 @item Request:
30280 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
30281
30282 @item Return value:
30283 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
30284
30285 @item Errors:
30286
30287 @table @code
30288 @item EACCES
30289 No access to the file or the path of the file.
30290
30291 @item EPERM
30292 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
30293
30294 @item EBUSY
30295 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
30296 being used by another process.
30297
30298 @item EFAULT
30299 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
30300
30301 @item ENAMETOOLONG
30302 @var{pathname} was too long.
30303
30304 @item ENOENT
30305 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
30306
30307 @item ENOTDIR
30308 A component of the path is not a directory.
30309
30310 @item EROFS
30311 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
30312
30313 @item EINTR
30314 The call was interrupted by the user.
30315 @end table
30316
30317 @end table
30318
30319 @node stat/fstat
30320 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
30321 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
30322 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
30323
30324 @table @asis
30325 @item Synopsis:
30326 @smallexample
30327 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
30328 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
30329 @end smallexample
30330
30331 @item Request:
30332 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
30333 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
30334
30335 @item Return value:
30336 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
30337
30338 @item Errors:
30339
30340 @table @code
30341 @item EBADF
30342 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
30343
30344 @item ENOENT
30345 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
30346 path is an empty string.
30347
30348 @item ENOTDIR
30349 A component of the path is not a directory.
30350
30351 @item EFAULT
30352 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
30353
30354 @item EACCES
30355 No access to the file or the path of the file.
30356
30357 @item ENAMETOOLONG
30358 @var{pathname} was too long.
30359
30360 @item EINTR
30361 The call was interrupted by the user.
30362 @end table
30363
30364 @end table
30365
30366 @node gettimeofday
30367 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
30368 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
30369
30370 @table @asis
30371 @item Synopsis:
30372 @smallexample
30373 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
30374 @end smallexample
30375
30376 @item Request:
30377 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
30378
30379 @item Return value:
30380 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
30381
30382 @item Errors:
30383
30384 @table @code
30385 @item EINVAL
30386 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
30387
30388 @item EFAULT
30389 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
30390 @end table
30391
30392 @end table
30393
30394 @node isatty
30395 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
30396 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
30397
30398 @table @asis
30399 @item Synopsis:
30400 @smallexample
30401 int isatty(int fd);
30402 @end smallexample
30403
30404 @item Request:
30405 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
30406
30407 @item Return value:
30408 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
30409
30410 @item Errors:
30411
30412 @table @code
30413 @item EINTR
30414 The call was interrupted by the user.
30415 @end table
30416
30417 @end table
30418
30419 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
30420 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
30421 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
30422 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
30423 needed.
30424
30425
30426 @node system
30427 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
30428 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
30429
30430 @table @asis
30431 @item Synopsis:
30432 @smallexample
30433 int system(const char *command);
30434 @end smallexample
30435
30436 @item Request:
30437 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
30438
30439 @item Return value:
30440 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
30441 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
30442 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
30443 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
30444 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
30445 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
30446 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
30447
30448 @item Errors:
30449
30450 @table @code
30451 @item EINTR
30452 The call was interrupted by the user.
30453 @end table
30454
30455 @end table
30456
30457 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
30458 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
30459 the host is simplified before it's returned
30460 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
30461 is discarded, and the return value consists
30462 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
30463
30464 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
30465 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
30466 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
30467
30468 @table @code
30469 @item set remote system-call-allowed
30470 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
30471 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
30472 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
30473
30474 @item show remote system-call-allowed
30475 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
30476 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
30477 protocol.
30478 @end table
30479
30480 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
30481 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
30482 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
30483
30484 @menu
30485 * Integral Datatypes::
30486 * Pointer Values::
30487 * Memory Transfer::
30488 * struct stat::
30489 * struct timeval::
30490 @end menu
30491
30492 @node Integral Datatypes
30493 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
30494 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
30495
30496 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
30497 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
30498 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
30499
30500 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
30501 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
30502
30503 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
30504
30505 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
30506 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
30507
30508 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
30509
30510 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
30511 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
30512 byte order.
30513
30514 @node Pointer Values
30515 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
30516 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
30517
30518 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
30519 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
30520 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
30521 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
30522
30523 @smallexample
30524 @code{1aaf/12}
30525 @end smallexample
30526
30527 @noindent
30528 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
30529 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
30530 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
30531 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
30532
30533 @smallexample
30534 @code{123456/d}
30535 @end smallexample
30536
30537 @node Memory Transfer
30538 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
30539 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
30540
30541 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
30542 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
30543 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
30544 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
30545 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
30546 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
30547 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
30548
30549
30550 @node struct stat
30551 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
30552 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
30553
30554 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
30555 is defined as follows:
30556
30557 @smallexample
30558 struct stat @{
30559 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
30560 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
30561 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
30562 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
30563 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
30564 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
30565 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
30566 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
30567 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
30568 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
30569 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
30570 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
30571 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
30572 @};
30573 @end smallexample
30574
30575 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
30576 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
30577 structure is of size 64 bytes.
30578
30579 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
30580 range of values.
30581
30582 @table @code
30583
30584 @item st_dev
30585 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
30586
30587 @item st_ino
30588 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
30589
30590 @item st_mode
30591 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
30592 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
30593
30594 @item st_uid
30595 @itemx st_gid
30596 @itemx st_rdev
30597 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
30598
30599 @item st_atime
30600 @itemx st_mtime
30601 @itemx st_ctime
30602 These values have a host and file system dependent
30603 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
30604 support exact timing values.
30605 @end table
30606
30607 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
30608 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
30609 continuing.
30610
30611 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
30612 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
30613 get truncated on the target.
30614
30615 @node struct timeval
30616 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
30617 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
30618
30619 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
30620 is defined as follows:
30621
30622 @smallexample
30623 struct timeval @{
30624 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
30625 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
30626 @};
30627 @end smallexample
30628
30629 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
30630 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
30631 structure is of size 8 bytes.
30632
30633 @node Constants
30634 @subsection Constants
30635 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
30636
30637 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
30638 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
30639 values before and after the call as needed.
30640
30641 @menu
30642 * Open Flags::
30643 * mode_t Values::
30644 * Errno Values::
30645 * Lseek Flags::
30646 * Limits::
30647 @end menu
30648
30649 @node Open Flags
30650 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
30651 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
30652
30653 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
30654
30655 @smallexample
30656 O_RDONLY 0x0
30657 O_WRONLY 0x1
30658 O_RDWR 0x2
30659 O_APPEND 0x8
30660 O_CREAT 0x200
30661 O_TRUNC 0x400
30662 O_EXCL 0x800
30663 @end smallexample
30664
30665 @node mode_t Values
30666 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
30667 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
30668
30669 All values are given in octal representation.
30670
30671 @smallexample
30672 S_IFREG 0100000
30673 S_IFDIR 040000
30674 S_IRUSR 0400
30675 S_IWUSR 0200
30676 S_IXUSR 0100
30677 S_IRGRP 040
30678 S_IWGRP 020
30679 S_IXGRP 010
30680 S_IROTH 04
30681 S_IWOTH 02
30682 S_IXOTH 01
30683 @end smallexample
30684
30685 @node Errno Values
30686 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
30687 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
30688
30689 All values are given in decimal representation.
30690
30691 @smallexample
30692 EPERM 1
30693 ENOENT 2
30694 EINTR 4
30695 EBADF 9
30696 EACCES 13
30697 EFAULT 14
30698 EBUSY 16
30699 EEXIST 17
30700 ENODEV 19
30701 ENOTDIR 20
30702 EISDIR 21
30703 EINVAL 22
30704 ENFILE 23
30705 EMFILE 24
30706 EFBIG 27
30707 ENOSPC 28
30708 ESPIPE 29
30709 EROFS 30
30710 ENAMETOOLONG 91
30711 EUNKNOWN 9999
30712 @end smallexample
30713
30714 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
30715 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
30716
30717 @node Lseek Flags
30718 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
30719 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
30720
30721 @smallexample
30722 SEEK_SET 0
30723 SEEK_CUR 1
30724 SEEK_END 2
30725 @end smallexample
30726
30727 @node Limits
30728 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
30729 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
30730
30731 All values are given in decimal representation.
30732
30733 @smallexample
30734 INT_MIN -2147483648
30735 INT_MAX 2147483647
30736 UINT_MAX 4294967295
30737 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
30738 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
30739 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
30740 @end smallexample
30741
30742 @node File-I/O Examples
30743 @subsection File-I/O Examples
30744 @cindex file-i/o examples
30745
30746 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
30747 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
30748
30749 @smallexample
30750 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
30751 @emph{request memory read from target}
30752 -> @code{m1234,6}
30753 <- XXXXXX
30754 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
30755 -> @code{F6}
30756 @end smallexample
30757
30758 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
30759 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
30760
30761 @smallexample
30762 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30763 @emph{request memory write to target}
30764 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
30765 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
30766 -> @code{F6}
30767 @end smallexample
30768
30769 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
30770 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
30771
30772 @smallexample
30773 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30774 -> @code{F-1,9}
30775 @end smallexample
30776
30777 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
30778 host is called:
30779
30780 @smallexample
30781 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30782 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
30783 <- @code{T02}
30784 @end smallexample
30785
30786 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
30787 host is called:
30788
30789 @smallexample
30790 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30791 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
30792 <- @code{T02}
30793 @end smallexample
30794
30795 @node Library List Format
30796 @section Library List Format
30797 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
30798
30799 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
30800 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
30801 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
30802 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
30803 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
30804 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
30805 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
30806 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
30807 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
30808 are loaded.
30809
30810 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
30811 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
30812 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
30813 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
30814
30815 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
30816 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
30817 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
30818 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
30819 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
30820 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
30821
30822 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
30823 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
30824
30825 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
30826 offset, looks like this:
30827
30828 @smallexample
30829 <library-list>
30830 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
30831 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
30832 </library>
30833 </library-list>
30834 @end smallexample
30835
30836 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
30837 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
30838
30839 @smallexample
30840 <library-list>
30841 <library name="sharedlib.o">
30842 <section address="0x10000000"/>
30843 <section address="0x20000000"/>
30844 <section address="0x30000000"/>
30845 </library>
30846 </library-list>
30847 @end smallexample
30848
30849 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
30850
30851 @smallexample
30852 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
30853 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
30854 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
30855 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
30856 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
30857 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
30858 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
30859 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
30860 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
30861 @end smallexample
30862
30863 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
30864 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
30865 section for each library.
30866
30867 @node Memory Map Format
30868 @section Memory Map Format
30869 @cindex memory map format
30870
30871 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
30872 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
30873 memory map.
30874
30875 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
30876 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
30877 lists memory regions.
30878
30879 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
30880 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
30881
30882 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
30883
30884 @smallexample
30885 <?xml version="1.0"?>
30886 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
30887 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
30888 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
30889 <memory-map>
30890 region...
30891 </memory-map>
30892 @end smallexample
30893
30894 Each region can be either:
30895
30896 @itemize
30897
30898 @item
30899 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
30900 bytes from there:
30901
30902 @smallexample
30903 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
30904 @end smallexample
30905
30906
30907 @item
30908 A region of read-only memory:
30909
30910 @smallexample
30911 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
30912 @end smallexample
30913
30914
30915 @item
30916 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
30917 bytes in length:
30918
30919 @smallexample
30920 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
30921 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
30922 </memory>
30923 @end smallexample
30924
30925 @end itemize
30926
30927 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
30928 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
30929 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
30930
30931 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
30932
30933 @smallexample
30934 <!-- ................................................... -->
30935 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
30936 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
30937 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
30938 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
30939 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
30940 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
30941 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
30942 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
30943 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
30944 and its type, or device. -->
30945 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
30946 start CDATA #REQUIRED
30947 length CDATA #REQUIRED
30948 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
30949 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
30950 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
30951 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
30952 @end smallexample
30953
30954 @include agentexpr.texi
30955
30956 @node Target Descriptions
30957 @appendix Target Descriptions
30958 @cindex target descriptions
30959
30960 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
30961 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
30962 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
30963
30964 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
30965 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
30966 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
30967 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
30968 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
30969 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
30970 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
30971
30972 @itemize @bullet
30973 @item
30974 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
30975 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
30976 @item
30977 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
30978 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
30979 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
30980 @item
30981 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
30982 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
30983 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
30984 @end itemize
30985
30986 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
30987 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
30988 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
30989 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
30990 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
30991
30992 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
30993 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
30994
30995 @menu
30996 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
30997 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
30998 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
30999 descriptions.
31000 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
31001 @end menu
31002
31003 @node Retrieving Descriptions
31004 @section Retrieving Descriptions
31005
31006 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
31007 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
31008 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
31009 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
31010 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
31011 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
31012 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
31013 Format}.
31014
31015 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
31016 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
31017 specify a file are:
31018
31019 @table @code
31020 @cindex set tdesc filename
31021 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
31022 Read the target description from @var{path}.
31023
31024 @cindex unset tdesc filename
31025 @item unset tdesc filename
31026 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
31027 will use the description supplied by the current target.
31028
31029 @cindex show tdesc filename
31030 @item show tdesc filename
31031 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
31032 @end table
31033
31034
31035 @node Target Description Format
31036 @section Target Description Format
31037 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
31038
31039 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
31040 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
31041 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
31042 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
31043 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
31044 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
31045 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
31046
31047 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
31048 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
31049 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
31050 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
31051 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
31052
31053 Here is a simple target description:
31054
31055 @smallexample
31056 <target version="1.0">
31057 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
31058 </target>
31059 @end smallexample
31060
31061 @noindent
31062 This minimal description only says that the target uses
31063 the x86-64 architecture.
31064
31065 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
31066 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
31067 are explained further below.
31068
31069 @smallexample
31070 <?xml version="1.0"?>
31071 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
31072 <target version="1.0">
31073 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
31074 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
31075 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
31076 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
31077 </target>
31078 @end smallexample
31079
31080 @noindent
31081 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
31082 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
31083 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
31084 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
31085 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
31086 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
31087 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
31088 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
31089 the version mismatch.
31090
31091 @subsection Inclusion
31092 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
31093 @cindex XInclude
31094 @ifnotinfo
31095 @cindex <xi:include>
31096 @end ifnotinfo
31097
31098 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
31099 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
31100 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
31101 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
31102 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
31103
31104 @smallexample
31105 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
31106 @end smallexample
31107
31108 @noindent
31109 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
31110 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
31111 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
31112 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
31113 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
31114 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
31115 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
31116 original description.
31117
31118 @subsection Architecture
31119 @cindex <architecture>
31120
31121 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
31122
31123 @smallexample
31124 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
31125 @end smallexample
31126
31127 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
31128 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
31129
31130 @subsection OS ABI
31131 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
31132
31133 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
31134 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
31135
31136 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
31137
31138 @smallexample
31139 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
31140 @end smallexample
31141
31142 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
31143 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
31144
31145 @subsection Compatible Architecture
31146 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
31147
31148 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
31149 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
31150
31151 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
31152
31153 @smallexample
31154 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
31155 @end smallexample
31156
31157 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
31158 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
31159
31160 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
31161 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
31162 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
31163 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
31164 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
31165 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
31166 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
31167
31168 @smallexample
31169 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
31170 <compatible>spu</compatible>
31171 @end smallexample
31172
31173 @subsection Features
31174 @cindex <feature>
31175
31176 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
31177 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
31178 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
31179 has this form:
31180
31181 @smallexample
31182 <feature name="@var{name}">
31183 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
31184 @var{reg}@dots{}
31185 </feature>
31186 @end smallexample
31187
31188 @noindent
31189 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
31190 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
31191 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
31192 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
31193
31194 @subsection Types
31195
31196 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
31197 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
31198 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
31199 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
31200 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
31201
31202 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
31203 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
31204 Types must be defined before they are used.
31205
31206 @cindex <vector>
31207 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
31208 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
31209 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
31210 @var{count}:
31211
31212 @smallexample
31213 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
31214 @end smallexample
31215
31216 @cindex <union>
31217 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
31218 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
31219 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
31220 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
31221
31222 @smallexample
31223 <union id="@var{id}">
31224 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
31225 @dots{}
31226 </union>
31227 @end smallexample
31228
31229 @subsection Registers
31230 @cindex <reg>
31231
31232 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
31233
31234 @smallexample
31235 <reg name="@var{name}"
31236 bitsize="@var{size}"
31237 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
31238 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
31239 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
31240 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
31241 @end smallexample
31242
31243 @noindent
31244 The components are as follows:
31245
31246 @table @var
31247
31248 @item name
31249 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
31250
31251 @item bitsize
31252 The register's size, in bits.
31253
31254 @item regnum
31255 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
31256 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
31257 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
31258 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
31259 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
31260 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
31261 in order of increasing register number.
31262
31263 @item save-restore
31264 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
31265 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
31266 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
31267 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
31268 ABI.
31269
31270 @item type
31271 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
31272 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
31273 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
31274 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
31275 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
31276 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
31277
31278 @item group
31279 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
31280 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
31281 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
31282 in @code{info registers}.
31283
31284 @end table
31285
31286 @node Predefined Target Types
31287 @section Predefined Target Types
31288 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
31289
31290 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
31291 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
31292 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
31293 types. The currently supported types are:
31294
31295 @table @code
31296
31297 @item int8
31298 @itemx int16
31299 @itemx int32
31300 @itemx int64
31301 @itemx int128
31302 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
31303
31304 @item uint8
31305 @itemx uint16
31306 @itemx uint32
31307 @itemx uint64
31308 @itemx uint128
31309 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
31310
31311 @item code_ptr
31312 @itemx data_ptr
31313 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
31314 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
31315 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
31316 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
31317 may be marked as data pointers.
31318
31319 @item ieee_single
31320 Single precision IEEE floating point.
31321
31322 @item ieee_double
31323 Double precision IEEE floating point.
31324
31325 @item arm_fpa_ext
31326 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
31327
31328 @end table
31329
31330 @node Standard Target Features
31331 @section Standard Target Features
31332 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
31333
31334 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
31335 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
31336 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
31337 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
31338 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
31339 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
31340 can recognize them.
31341
31342 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
31343 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
31344 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
31345 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
31346 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
31347 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
31348 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
31349 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
31350
31351 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
31352 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
31353 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
31354
31355 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
31356 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
31357 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
31358 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
31359
31360 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
31361 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
31362 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
31363
31364 @menu
31365 * ARM Features::
31366 * MIPS Features::
31367 * M68K Features::
31368 * PowerPC Features::
31369 @end menu
31370
31371
31372 @node ARM Features
31373 @subsection ARM Features
31374 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
31375
31376 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
31377 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
31378 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
31379
31380 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
31381 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
31382
31383 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
31384 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
31385 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
31386 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
31387
31388 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
31389 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
31390 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
31391 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
31392 halves of the double-precision registers.
31393
31394 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
31395 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
31396 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
31397 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
31398 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
31399 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
31400
31401 @node MIPS Features
31402 @subsection MIPS Features
31403 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
31404
31405 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
31406 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
31407 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
31408 on the target.
31409
31410 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
31411 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
31412 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
31413
31414 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
31415 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
31416 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
31417 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
31418
31419 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
31420 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
31421 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
31422
31423 @node M68K Features
31424 @subsection M68K Features
31425 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
31426
31427 @table @code
31428 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
31429 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
31430 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
31431 One of those features must be always present.
31432 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
31433 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
31434 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
31435 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
31436
31437 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
31438 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
31439 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
31440 @samp{fpiaddr}.
31441 @end table
31442
31443 @node PowerPC Features
31444 @subsection PowerPC Features
31445 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
31446
31447 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
31448 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
31449 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
31450 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
31451
31452 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
31453 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
31454
31455 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
31456 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
31457 and @samp{vrsave}.
31458
31459 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
31460 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
31461 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
31462 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
31463 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
31464 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
31465
31466 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
31467 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
31468 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
31469 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
31470 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
31471 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
31472 user.
31473
31474 @node Operating System Information
31475 @appendix Operating System Information
31476 @cindex operating system information
31477
31478 @menu
31479 * Process list::
31480 @end menu
31481
31482 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
31483 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
31484 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
31485 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
31486 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
31487 on a different aspect of target.
31488
31489 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
31490 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
31491 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
31492 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
31493
31494 @node Process list
31495 @appendixsection Process list
31496 @cindex operating system information, process list
31497
31498 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
31499 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
31500 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
31501 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
31502
31503 An example document is:
31504
31505 @smallexample
31506 <?xml version="1.0"?>
31507 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
31508 <osdata type="processes">
31509 <item>
31510 <column name="pid">1</column>
31511 <column name="user">root</column>
31512 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
31513 </item>
31514 </osdata>
31515 @end smallexample
31516
31517 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
31518 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
31519 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
31520 displayed by @value{GDBN}. Target may provide additional columns,
31521 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
31522
31523 @include gpl.texi
31524
31525 @raisesections
31526 @include fdl.texi
31527 @lowersections
31528
31529 @node Index
31530 @unnumbered Index
31531
31532 @printindex cp
31533
31534 @tex
31535 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
31536 % meantime:
31537 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
31538 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
31539 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
31540 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
31541 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
31542 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
31543 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
31544 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
31545 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
31546 \page\colophon
31547 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
31548 @end tex
31549
31550 @bye
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